October 22, 2010 / 14 Cheshvan 5771

Israeli chess master Alik Gershon, who immigrated to Israel as a boy form Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, broke the Guinness world record in simultaneous chess games Friday (Oct. 22) in Tel Aviv. The Jewish Agency for Israel sponsored the event, in tribute to the contribution of immigrants from the former Soviet Union to Israeli society over the last 20 years. Gershon, 30, played against 525 people in 18 hours in Rabin Square, out-seating Iran, which held the world record. Gershon won more than the required 80% of matches against the hundreds of players, all of whom are registered and ranked with the Israel Chess Federation, which co-sponsored the event. Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, a formidable chess player, opened the tournament, noting the contribution of Soviet aliyah to all facets of Israeli life, “including turning Israel into a chess superpower.”

Credit: Sasson Tiram/Jewish Agency for Israel

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