As for me,it's not even a game....

Actually I have two great memories related to the game.One of them is composed of two parts,the second happening between them.

So I'll start with the second

My club team,which but for a Hungarian IM was exclusively composed of amateurs,accessed to the French First League in the mid 90's.And then came the match against all-mighty Lyon-Oyonnax,best european club team of this time.Alas,since we were a weak team (I could play on Board 2 with 2250),they did not come with the top team.But still.....there were Bareev on board 1 and Salov on board 2.I managed to get a draw on the third board and of course,my right-hand teammate duly lost to Salov in an Alapin Sicilian.Then the wonder began.Salov gave us 80 minutes of his time to analyse thoroughly the game,all this in perfect , almost book-like French ! Salov left a great impression on all the teammates of mine who could join the session.A true gentleman,humble and full of respect for his opponent.A magic moment indeed for an amateur !

The second memory is a funny one.

It was summer 1991.My girlfriend and I were travelling through Europe and,since I have some Belgian blood running through my veins, I wanted to show her Brussels.And there we were,strolling down an avenue,when I noticed some guys walking the other way,chatting in rapid Russian.They walked past us and suddenly I turned round and exclaimed "Hey,you're Boris Gelfand !" he was utterly amazed to be regognized in a Western city ! We exchanged some words and I wished him good luck in his match against Short...to no avail.

Some years later,I happened to visit the GM tournament in Biel (Switzerland),only 150 miles away from my place.And in the analysis room,I saw him.He was having a drink,while looking at some analysis.I came to the board when suddenly he said, in his very peculiar English, "Hey you'rrre the guy from Brrrouussels".This time I was the one who stared with wide eyes ! And then he said "Care for a game ? And I could play 4 blitz games with him.I won't disclose the result of course

merci, thank you, gracias, شكراً