9/7/2019 – Certainly you have noticed the big "H" in the headline for this post. And indeed, ALINA L'AMI is alive and well, reporting on a chess tournament in the Norwegian village "Hell", which lies about 40 km east of Trondheim. And as always, Alina managed to create magical photos, not to mention the obligatory photo with the providentially humoristic sign; “Gods Expedition” — in fact the archaic spelling for cargo handling. | Photos: Alina l'Ami

6/23/2019 – An instant fix for a thalassophile (a person who loves the sea) with the sounds and shades of sunset waves. It's just impossible to get bored on the Lyttos Beach (pictured). IM ALINA L'AMI sends her photo reportage of another picturesque chess holiday destination that will have you dialing your travel agent. Don't miss her instructive annotated games and game fragments!

11/28/2018 – In honour of the Centenary of Romania's Unification Day, the ROMGAZ Kings Tournament organised an event that included some of the strongest players from the country and the country's diaspora. Viorel Iordachescu and Alina l'Ami won the men's and women's tournaments, respectively. Each event combined rapid and blitz formats with four players in each category. In both cases, there was a close fight for first place. | Photos: Official site

7/11/2018 – Would you be able to sit in a dark quiet room for, say, two months, with nothing to read, nothing to do, nothing but your own thoughts? According to (I think it was) Goethe, that's the veritable test of a true man. But as a chess player, and under the influence of Stefan Zweig's "Schachnovelle", my surmise is that we could all do it! Philosophers should rebuild their furnace because the supreme test for a grandmaster — and an amateur alike — is to play (and play well!) at the Hersonissos Open. | Photos: Alina l'Ami

6/23/2018 – Surakarta, also known as Solo or Sala, a city in Central Java, Indonesia, hosted two round-robin tournaments earlier this year — one for GMs and one for WGMs. Alina l'Ami was there and prepared a long article filled with anecdotes, chess games and some extra spicy dishes. | Photos: Alina l'Ami

5/1/2018 – Beautiful scenery and tough competition made for a wonderful event at the 2018 Jersey International tournament. IM Alan Merry picked up his 2nd GM norm, while GM Tiger Hillarp Persson took home first. A total of 42 talented veterans and up and coming youth competed in the nine-round event. ALINA L'AMI provides visuals and impressions.

1/17/2018 – Yesterday Anand caused a sensation, but in today's fourth round it was Vladimir Kramnik's turn to be the ex-World Champion star. After just 24, moves Peter Svidler gave up resistance as his lifetime classical score versus Kramnik dips to -8. Anish Giri and Anand remain in the lead in the Masters. In Challengers Korobov and Vidit extended their lead to a full point. | Photo: Alina l'Ami Tata Steel Chess on Facebook © 2018 Tata Steel

1/16/2018 – Magnus Carlsen drew quickly with Wei Yi to start round three, and there were more draws to follow including the leader Anish Giri. That gave Anand an opportunity to pull equal on 2½ points. In the challengers, top seed Vidit Gujrathi scored for the second straight day, but Anton Korobov kept pace, and both now stand at 2½ as well. | Photo: Alina l'Ami Tata Steel Chess on Facebook © 2018 Tata Steel

1/15/2018 – Magnus Carlsen won in round two and, as luck would have it, two of three co-leaders after the first round met in round two. Anish Giri toppled Vladimir Kramnik, while Vishy Anand drew, so the Dutchman moves to the fore. In the Challengers group, no one can claim a perfect score after two rounds. The 2018 Tata Steel Masters and Challengers takes place January 13th to 28th. Grandmaster Daniel Fernandez dissects the Masters games in detail. | Photo: Alina l'Ami Tata Steel Chess on Facebook © 2018 Tata Steel

1/14/2018 – One down, twelve to go; Tata Steel Chess is often described as a "marathon" — more of a "Belmont Stakes" than a "Preakness" — where anyone can recover from a loss and the early lead isn't necessarily indicative of how things will be down the stretch. Still, it's nice to be out in front! Vishy Anand, Vladimir Kramnik and Anish Giri, jumped out to an early lead on Saturday, as Anand starts his bid for a record busting sixth Wijk aan Zee title. The 2018 Tata Steel Masters and Challengers takes place January 13th to 28th. Grandmaster Daniel Fernandez breaks down the action in our extensive round one report. | Photo: Alina l'Ami Tata Steel Chess on Facebook © 2018 Tata Steel

9/30/2017 – With so many great players, it is little wonder the tournament has had so many great clashes, and rounds six and seven were that in the spades. The sole leader is now Magnus Carlsen, after smashing Pavel Eljanov in round six, but only by the thinnest of margins, and will meet Fabiano Caruana in round eight. After Hou Yifan returned to action, she scored two convincing wins. Enjoy this report plush with GM analysis and great photos! | Analysis: Elshan Moradiabadi; Photo: Chess.com / Maria Emelianova

7/30/2017 – In this second part of the report on the Guadeloupe Open, you will be treated to more gorgeous scenery, all captured in large high-res imagery, together with instructive chess analysis, including one game that brought up memories of.... Bogoljubow against Lasker. It is just one more example of why knowing one's classics can never be repeated enough. Enjoy this scenic chess lesson!

7/29/2017 – Being the Elo favorite in an event is one thing, but having your name and photo as part of a tournament's main promotional material and poster is another. At least for most common mortals. This was what IM Alina l'Ami faced as she arrived in the gorgeous Caribbean island, Guadeloupe, which lived up to its postcard reputation. Enjoy this lovely high-resolution pictorial.

6/6/2017 – Concluding her joyful visit to Indonesia, Alina L'Ami shares more gorgeous photography, her meeting with editor and found of ChessBase India, IM Sagar Shah, and much more. You will also find a selection of games and positions that illustrate the dreadful (blackouts) and wonderful (fine positional ideas), all with high-resolution photos.

6/5/2017 – Enjoying the deep cultural history that Indonesia has to offer, and the passion for chess where you do not need to be an international celebrity to be recognized. The JAPFA tournament was held once more in Jakarta with hospitality to put most organizers to shame. Here is the illustrated report by Alina L'Ami.

5/8/2017 – There is clearly something that works in the formula of the Reykjavik Open, which continues to attract a wide range of players every year, from the world's elite such as Giri, Andreikin, and Jobava this year, to rank amateurs who pack the venue. Looking back at the tournament and locale is Alina L'Ami in her report with games, quiz positions and of course high-res photos!

4/29/2017 – A chess paradise must be something like this idyllic setting with gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, clement weather and beautiful beaches, with chess to boot. Concluding her account of the event, people, food, and games, here is the large illustrated report with plenty of high-resolution photos by Alina L'Ami.

4/27/2017 – Sun, sand, coconut trees, crystal clear turquoise waters, fruity drinks and epic cocktails are just some of the things that come to mind when imagining that postcard-perfect-laid-back beach bliss. Ahhh, the Caribbean and its tropical light which seems to promise blue morning after blue morning forever after... Such is the backdrop of the 6th Martinique Open, reported here with plenty of photos by Alina L'Ami.

4/22/2017 – The Reykjavik Open is one of the highlights of the year's chess calendar with amazing scenery, top notch organization, and chess for all. It is now underway with hundreds of players, including names such as Anish Giri, Dmitry Andreikin, Jobava Baadur, as well as budding talents such as Liang Awonder, Praggnanandhaa and Nihal Sarin. Enjoy this report with tactics to solve and gorgeous photos by Alina L'Ami.

2/6/2017 – In this second part of her pictorial of images from Tata Steel, Alina L'Ami continues to not only share her choice images, but also what fascinated her, what attracted her, what made her stop and think. All these moments are unveiled as she explains why some work, and why some don't, and ideas for you to take home and try to include in your own photography. In the meantime, enjoy this photographic selection with her comments.

2/5/2017 – Tata Steel is without question one of the highlights of the year thanks to its great diversity of events and of course the Masters with its host of elite players. One other thing that has helped keep it such a pleasurable event is the attention made to have great videos and photography. Alina L'Ami has been the official photographer for the last few years, and enriched the reports by all with her lovely imagery. Here is a large pictorial of photos she chose with her comments and tips.

11/5/2016 – "A Dutch legend, a Syrian refugee and a 64 year-old Israeli… and chess, of course. That's all it takes to rediscover the pleasure of the 64 squares, through the pleasure of the others. One doesn't necessarily need to be around Carlsen to feel the spark of the beauty of chess. The light in a chess player's eyes wired for this game is just as fascinating and, perhaps, the best mirror a chess lover could possibly find." Thus starts an illustrated report by Alina L'Ami.

9/30/2016 – Chess globetrotter Alina l'Ami had a problem: she was continually losing rating points but had no idea why. As she loves chess and travelling she felt that the best cure to fight her Elo-disease would be a tournament in an inspiring country and gladly accepted the invitation to the Copa Independencia 2016. Mexico indeed inspired her and the result of the tough tournament once again showed that it is good to trust your feelings.

8/18/2016 – Alina l'Ami has played tournaments all over the world but admits that "whenever I am asked the nearly-impossible-to-answer question: 'which tournament would you recommend?', my brain turns blank and my eyes start blinking. Besides the fact that we are all different, with a different set of needs and priorities, I'm afraid the perfect tournament doesn't exist at all." But Alina l'Ami liked the tournament in Lund, Sweden, she recently played in. In fact, she liked it a lot. And sent an illustrated report.