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K-State Today

August 23, 2013

World chess master to present Chess Challenge and creation lecture Aug. 26

Submitted by Josh Wilson

New Zealand's former chess champion, Jonathan Sarfati, World Chess Federation master, will play up to 30 people simultaneously in the K-State Chess Challenge from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, in Room 207 at the K-State Student Union.

Chess players of all skill levels will have the opportunity to play against this genius. Play against up to 30 people will give each of his opponent's 30 times longer than himself to think.

The event is open to all, so please invite your chess-playing friends using the Facebook event. We may need a few extra chess sets, so if you can bring an extra set that would be great but you can still play without bringing one. For more information, contact Josh Wilson at logosjtw@k-state.edu.

That evening, Sarfati, who also has his doctorate in physical chemistry and quantum physics, will deliver back-to-back lectures at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Union Little Theatre. These talks are sponsored by the K-State Creation Club and focus on scientific evidence for the Biblical account of creation.

Sarfati is an accomplished chess player and a former New Zealand chess champion, representing New Zealand in three Chess Olympiads — he drew with Boris Spassky, world champion 1969-1972. In 1988, the International Chess Federation awarded him the title of F.I.D.E. Master, or FM. For the fun of it, he regularly accepts challenges from multiple players while he is blindfolded. He then plays from memory with up to 12 players simultaneously.

As a scientist, Sarfati currently works for Creation Ministries International as a lecturer, scientist and writer, showing how Christians can believe the Bible from cover to cover — especially when it comes to Genesis and creation versus evolution.