Lajos Portisch, the esteemed Hungarian chess grandmaster and recipient of the Sportsman of the Nation title, hosted a remarkable aria evening on 17 September during the break of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad. The event took place at the Petőfi Museum of Literature and featured Portisch's renowned singing talent alongside a display of Antti Favén's acclaimed painting, *The Chess Players*. This unique combination of music and art celebrated both Portisch's chess achievements and his passion for opera.
At 87 years old, Portisch's illustrious chess career includes nine Hungarian championships and numerous near-misses at the individual world championship finals. Over his participation in 20 Chess Olympiads, he has played 260 games, amassing 176.5 points. His contributions to the game were further honored last year when he was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame alongside Judit Polgár.
Beyond his chess prowess, Portisch is also a dedicated singer. The aria evening at the Károlyi Palace's Ceremonial Hall showcased his powerful baritone voice as he performed selections from operas by renowned composers such as Mozart, Wagner, and Puccini. The setting of the grand hall, combined with the artistic touch of Favén’s painting, created an evocative atmosphere blending cultural and artistic heritage.
Favén's *The Chess Players* is a prominent piece from his Paris period and is noted as the largest chess-themed painting in existence. The artwork captures the essence of the Café de la Régence, a historic Parisian chess hub, and includes depictions of famous chess figures such as Siegbert Tarrasch and Frank Marshall. The event, organized by the National Event Management Agency in collaboration with the Petőfi Museum of Literature, the Nemes Gallery, FIDE, and the Hungarian Chess Federation, provided a fitting tribute to Portisch’s multifaceted talents and contributions to both chess and the arts.
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