3/22/2011 – Magnus Carlsen, the young Norwegian who’s recently ranked as the top chess player in the world, can now add another prize to his growing list of accomplishments. The Norwegian Parliament will bestow upon him the national honor of being named Årets Peer Gynt, the winner of this year’s Peer Gynt Prize. Views and News from Norway.

3/21/2011 – On Saturday the Disciplinary Committee of the French Chess Federation suspended GMs Sebastien Feller, Arnaud Hauchard and IM Cyril Marzolo, finding them “guilty of a violation of sporting ethics” for allegedly cheating during the Chess Olympiad 2010 in Khanty-Mansiysk. The three received suspensions, after evidence was presented, including a detailed description of how it was done.

3/20/2011 – Levon Aronian is still in the sole lead with a score of 10 points from 14 games. Magnus Carlsen improved his position with a 2-0 win over Vladimir Kramnik and now trails the Armenian grandmaster by half a point. The € 1,000 Game of the Day Prize was awarded for the third time in a row to Vasily Ivanchuk, this time for his rapid win over Alexander Grischuk. Round seven report.

3/20/2011 – In endgames an especially difficult decision always needs to be taken at the point when there is the opportunity to aim for a simplified position by a further exchange of pieces. This was the case for White in this position, namely whether he had a better chance of achieving a draw in the pawn ending after 52.Rxh3 or in the rook ending after 52.Ra1 Rxh5 53.Ra8. How would you evaluate the two endings and which choice would you have made?

GM Dr. Karsten Müller gives you his analysis on ChessBase Magazine Online.

3/20/2011 – After eight rounds Levon Aronian, who today defeated World Champion Vishy Anand 1½-½, remains in the lead. With three rounds to go Magnus Carlsen, who defeated Veselin Topalov by the same score, follows at half a point’s distance. In third place, Vishy Anand and Vasily Ivanchuk, are three points behind. Anish Giri won a nice game against Sergey Karjakin. Round eight report.

3/19/2011 – A couple of weeks Dennis Monokroussos raved about the first volume in the series, in which German GM Jan Gustafsson presented a very detailed Marshall Gambit repertoire. It was the best DVD on chess openings he had ever seen. "Vol. 2 doesn't quite live up to that ridiculously high standard, but it's excellent as well and certainly worthwhile for 1.e4 e5 players," Dennis writes. Here is his review.

3/18/2011 – Levon Aronian maintained his sole lead in spite of suffering a first loss in this tournament, against Alexander Grischuk. Vassily Ivanchuk defeated the second-placed Vishy Anand, while Magnus Carlsen scored against his "twin" Sergey Karjakin. All of this happened in the rapid chess – all blindfold games were drawn. Aronian is now a point ahead of his nearest rival, Carlsen. Round six report.

3/18/2011 – Magnus Carlsen collapsed against Vassily Ivanchuk in both his games, while Levon Aronian defeated Vugar Gashimov in both of theirs. Aronian now tops both the blindfold and rapid sections in Monaco, leading in the overall score with 8.0/10, 1½ points ahead of Vishy Anand in second place. Ivanchuk won the € 1,000 Game of the Day prize for his rapid win over Carlsen. Round five report.

3/17/2011 – Six players tied for first, with 7.0 points from nine games – performances ranged from 2662 (Hammer) to 2722 (Kuzubov). Naturally a lot of attention was given to 14-year-old GM Illya Nyzhnyk, who finished in the leading group with a 2688 performance. Top seed Luke McShane, 2683, played slightly below expectation and led the follow-up group of 21 players with 6.5/9 points. Final report.

3/17/2011 – In this third volume his French DVD Rustam Kasimdzhanov discusses the positions that arise after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4. It is a solid system which Kasim finds difficult to play against because it requires serious understanding and theoretical knowledge. Our reviewer, field biologist Kevan Cowcill, provides an in-depth review – and more fascinating pictures from his icy work in the Yukon.

3/16/2011 – Levon Aronian and Magnus Carlsen continue to lead in the 20th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament in Monaco. Aronian defeated Ivanchuk, while Carlsen defeated Giri, both with 1½-½ scores. The € 1,000 Game of the Day prize was awarded to Sergey Karjakin for his blindfold win over Vladimir Kramnik. Round four report with photos by John Nunn.

3/15/2011 – Levon Aronian and Magnus Carlsen have taken the joint lead after the third round of the Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament. Their direct encounter ended in a 1-1 tie after a roller-coaster rapid game. Yesterday's co-leader Alexander Grischuk lost ½-1½ to compatriot Sergey Karjakin. The Game of the Day prize went to Vugar Gashimov for his fine blindfold win against Anish Giri. Round three report.