“First off all I have to congratulate Wolfgang for his good play in this tournament. He showed some very good games here in Mainz”, joint winner Anatoly Karpov said in the press conference after the last round of the Unzicker Gala80. “This was a real tournament, a real competetion and I am happy that I could win this event”. Boris Spassky was not at all surpised that the two K´s won the event.” Those two players are the only active masters, Wolfgang does not play too often anymore and I have played my last serious chess game two years ago! But I am happy with my games and I did not regret that I played in this wonderful tourney. Wolfgang showed some fighting spirit and I was really surpised about that. Well, I hope that it will not be the last tourney in my life, and I hope to be back in 10 years again!” Vikor Korchnoi appreciated the organisation of the tournament and the fact that a lot of people came to the Rheingoldhalle to see the old masters. The grandmasters had to sign many chessbooks and pictures which the chessfans brought to Mainz.

Finally Wolfgang Unzicker said a few words about his jubilee and the players: “I liked the precision and the fine play of Anatoly Karpov in this event.Viktor once again showed his fighting spirit. There are only a few chess players in the history of chess who have played every game with full power: Pillsbury, Morphy and Lasker. Viktor Korchnoi definitely belongs to this fine group of players.” In the evening, during the Champions Dinner, Unzicker once again expressed his gratitude to Hans-Walter Schmitt, who organised this jubilee and spectacular start of the Chess Classic Mainz 2005. A pity that this great tourney is over: when will we ever see these great masters in one tournament again?