'This doesn't look like Kansas anymore, Toto!' A few weeks ago (Elsewhere on the Web 4 September 2004) we mentioned that 'September promises to be a big month for high-profile chess events'. Mid-September saw the Irina Krush - Almira Skripchenko match in New York City, followed by the Anatoly Karpov - Susan Polgar exhibition match in Lindsborg, Kansas.

Krush won the rapid chess match (25'+10", meaning 25 minutes per game plus 10 seconds per move) by a score of 1.5-0.5 (+1-0=1). Karpov and Polgar drew 3-3 after three mini-matches of rapid chess (25'+5"; +1-0=1 for Karpov), random chess (15'+0"); +1-1=0), and blitz chess (5'+0", +0-1=1). ChessBase published excellent photo reports on the two matches.

• Krush takes the Accoona trophy
• Polgar vs Karpov: chess fever in Little Sweden

One of the most striking contrasts between the two events was the amount of publicity each received. The New York match was ignored outside the chess press, while the Kansas match received widespread publicity, and not just in Kansas.

• Grandmasters crown Lindsborg the chess capital • [19 Sept]
• Kansas town site for battle between chess champions • [16 Sept]
• Professor links Lindsborg to masters of chess world • [16 Sept]
• Chess Showdown in a Small Kansas Town • [10 Sept; audio]

Why the difference in publicity for the two events? Small town enthusiasm vs. big city blasé? GM level competitors vs. IM level? The Lindsborg parade? We wish we knew. Whatever the reason, the two charming young women playing in New York were no public relations match for the two ex-World Champions playing in Kansas. Everyone loves a winner and the Kansas match was a great promotional vehicle for the Karpov Chess School of Lindsborg.

Speaking of publicity, what if they held a World Chess Championship match and nobody knew? Reporting by the mainstream press for the Kramnik - Leko match has been as unenthusiastic as it was for the New York City match. The Dannemann World Championship match starts 25 September, in Switzerland. See the official site at WorldChessChampionship.com for playing dates and start times (under TOURNAMENT).

Finally, FIDE announced that the 'Deadline for the bids for the World Chess Championship Match 2005 between World Champion GM R. Kasimdzhanov and World`s No 1 rated player GM G. Kasparov is extended until 25 September 2004'.