Karpov will participate in giant chess simultaneous exhibition

HAVANA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Former world chess champion Russian grand master (GM) Anatoly Karpov will participate in a giant 4,000-board simultaneous chess exhibition that will be held on April 21 at Havana's Computer Science University (UCI).

Karpov arrived to Havana, Cuba's capital, on Monday invited by local sports officials to attend Cuba's 4th Sports Olympiad that on Tuesday carries out its third day of competitions attended by over 3,000 athletes from some 20 countries and regions.

On his arrival to this Caribbean country, GM Karpov stated his respect for the native land of Cuban chess genius Jose Raul Capablanca, 1921-1927 world chess champion, who he considers his "great teacher."

Karpov will stay in Cuba until April 24th and will visit Capablanca's grave, as well as the International Physical Education School in Havana, among other activities.

Karpov will also visit to the Rehabilitation Center for children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident. He said it was "very humane."

This is Karpov's second visit to Cuba, his first was on 2004 when he headed the giant chess simultaneous exhibition closing the2nd Cuban Sports Olympiad.

Karpov was world chess champion on 1975-1985 and later on 1993-1999.