Model Chess Players

One of the most important events in chess starts today in Russia. 8 players from the US, China, France, Russia, and the Netherlands convene for a three-week chess marathon to determine who will challenge the incumbent World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. The only thing -- the tournament takes place amid the unprecedented coronavirus scare in the country where all international sporting events are put on hold.

[T]o supplement the event's coverage without putting the players at risk: Ken and Barbie-like models of the players are prepared and will be available for photography and filming while the players can be safe during the event.

5-inch players' replicas, wearing suits as ties as per FIDE regulations, sitting at the chess tables, can be photographed shaking opponents hands, while the real players will avoid doing that based on the recent health advisory.

Images will be available for all media and chess fans alike to use with Creative Commons license; the dropbox folder will be updated every round: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ehsa8fuog3sn1cr/AADeS5E-bgcLWAFQ5G4jezjPa?dl=0

-- From an email from the World Chess Press Office, 17 March 2020