Correspondence Chess Database 2011 – an invaluable aid

2/19/2011 – "This DVD can be a valuable tool for all chess players," says Chess Cafe reviewer Bo Bredenhoff. "CC players can find data about all his or her opponents, making it an invaluable aid in preparing for a new tournament. Upon using it myself for a while, I can really recommend it for all chess players!" The DVD contains 834,849 games, many thousands with expert analysis. Review, sample.

Andrew Martin: Anyone up for the Grob?

2/19/2011 – Amateurs are always trying to emulate top chess professionals. But trying to play like a grandmaster is useless for 99.99% of casual chess players, says chess trainer IM Andrew Martin, who instead advocates understanding one's limitations and doing what is possible. Why not try an off-beat opening, like the one created by his hero IM Henri Grob? Annotated games.

Aeroflot Open: Le Quang Liem supreme; Mamedyarov wins blitz

2/18/2011 – It had seemed like a no-brainer to predict a second straight win for Le after his incredible start, but a loss to Cheparinov almost changed the whole story. Then it was the Bulgarian who had a shocking loss to Vitiugov, allowing his opponent to reap the benefits of his victory from the previous day. Mamedyarov won the World Blitz Qualifier and with the report we have a pictorial by Yana Melnikova.

On a knife's edge ...

2/18/2011 – ... was this game from the current Polish championship where White had just played his knight to f3, heading for e5 but allowing its colleague to strike on f2. What do you think? The one to win after this (29...Nxf2) is...
A)... Black
B)... White
C)... neither side (equality)

The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

Women's Championship 2011 – Gaziantep or Tbilisi?

2/18/2011 – The Individual European Women's Championship 2011 was given to Gazaintep in Turkey – with for the first time a prize fund that was larger than the corresponding Men's Championship. After a disagreement with the European Chess Union the Turkish Chess Federation withdrew its bid. It was renewed – now with an increased prize fund. But chances are it will go to Tbilisi, Georgia. Politics as usual.

Play like a Girl – new book by Jen Shahade

2/18/2011 – She has a knack for catchy titles: after her first book, Chess Bitch: Women in the Ultimate Intellectual Sport, two-time US Women's Champion Jennifer Shahade has written a prequel which is a showcase of puzzles by top women players in history. Jen cleverly reverses the insulting connotation of the title phrase. She has also provided us with a stylish video trailer.

The World Championship 2012 and beyond

2/17/2011 – London withdrew its bid to stage the 2012 Championship in London after negotiations with the World Chess Federation broke down, FIDE implied that it was because of Magnus Carlsen's withdrawal from the Candidates cycle. Now a FIDE Vice President Ilya Levitov, who is also the Executive Director of the Russian Chess Federation, has presented further details.

Chess in the War

2/17/2011 – Though chess is a war game, few things are more inimical to competitive chess than the advent of real war. Still worse is the threat posed to chess publications, as the populace lacks the time and money to spend on leisure activities, while vital resources have to diverted elsewhere. CHESS magazine has published a review of its survival in WWII. Here is part one of the harrowing story.

Chess Classic Mainz – End of an Era

2/16/2011 – A decade full of dedication and passion for international rapid chess has come to an end in Mainz. A splendid decade from 2001 to 2010 with ground-breaking innovations in tournament organization for world class players and amateurs alike and the “Mainz System” Chess960, based on the ideas of the American World Champion Robert James “Bobby” Fischer. Press release + results.

Going strong at 85 – Mark Taimanov's birthday

2/16/2011 – For decades he was one of the world's top grandmasters. Mark Evgenievich Taimanov, who last week turned 85, has led a very full life, as a child actor, concert pianist and as a proud father (having children 57 years apart!). For his birthday this extraordinary personality gave a number of interviews and with them a unique insight into contemporary chess and his personal life.

Edge or centre?

2/16/2011 – In this position from the C-group in Wijk aan Zee White had just played 34.Rb1-b3 in order to safeguard the vulnerable points d3 and c4 with his rook via the third rank. Which knight move leads to advantage for Black now?
A) 34...Na5 (35.Rc3)
B) 34...Ne5
C) neither

The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

Aeroflot Open: Le Quang Liem takes full point lead in 'last' open?

2/15/2011 – Despite the wonderful conditions, such as a generous prizefund with $20,000 for first place, reduced airfares, and even airport taxes covered by the organizers, the tournament director has admitted that next year's event is not guaranteed. Though attendance is on a low, possibly due to the world crisis, the field has been no less impressive. A beautiful illustrated report by Anna Burtasova.

Fritz Powerbook 2011: Size and quality

2/15/2011 – The Fritz Powerbook 2011 contains 23 million opening positions, derived from 1.5 million high-class games (also included), with all relevant information stored: average rating, success rate and Elo performance. However, the DVD also contains a restricted StrongBook, with moves only from players rated over 2100, so you can choose to see it all or just the best. Review by Dennis Monokroussos.

Turkish Championship in Antalya

2/15/2011 – Turkish Chess Championship took place at Kemer, Antalya, in a large ten-round Swiss event. This year the Turkish Chess Federation provided an impressive prize fund of 30.000 TL (approximately 15.000 euro) attracting 257 participants, including 3 GMs, 4 IMs and 2 WIMs. GM Emre Can became new Turkish Champion with 8.5/10. Report and pictures by Anastasiya Karlovich.

Absolute and Women's Championships of Belarus 2011

2/14/2011 – During the month of January the Belarus national championships were held with a battle for the Absolute fought by the Zhigalko brothers, with Sergey beating Andrey. In the Women's Championship, 26-year-old Anna Sharevich, ex-aerobics instructor and dance teacher, returned home and took the women's title. Here is the photo report by Sergey Kasparov.

New world record for 604-board simul by Iranian GM Maghami

2/14/2011 – GM Ehsan Ghaem Maghami, 9-time Iran national champion, set a new world record of 604 boards for an individual simul. The simultaneous exhibition took 25 hours from 8th to 9th February 2011 at the sports stadium of the Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. He broke last year's record set by Israeli GM Alik Gershon who took on 523 opponents. Pictorial report.

Master Moves #5

2/13/2011 – All the deepest plans or endgame technique are useless if you fall victim to a shot that leaves you in a lost position. Likewise, sometimes that superior play will only offer a single window of opportunity to deliver that final blow, so it is vital to be ready for it when it does. All the positions in this column are from the Aeroflot Open underway. Can you play like the masters?

Grivas Training: Getting to Know Ourselves

2/13/2011 – Young chess players need to be able to identify the assets and weaknesses of their chess personalities. Many trainers and trainees have wondered how this can be done properly. The basic resource are one's recent games, which are used to produce an "X-ray image" of one's chess-self. GM Efstratios Grivas, a world-class trainer, tells us how to go about it, in Part 2 of his lecture series.

Aeroflot Open: Le Quang Liem crushes Kamsky and is now on 4.5/5

2/12/2011 – Whether an off-day for the American, or an on-day for the Vietnamese, Le's victory over Kamsky in the fourth round was nothing short of explosive. Quang Liem continues his great form and is now on 4.5/5 with a 2988 performance. He wasn't the only inspired player, as perusing the games reveals, and we highlight a pearl that might otherwise be missed. Report with pictures by Maria Bolshakova.

Nunn wins Second Tata Steel study solving contest

2/12/2011 – After the success of the first study solving competition held at Wijk aan Zee two years ago (unexpectedly won by Dutch player Twan Burg, with John Nunn second), the event was repeated this year. It was won by one of the oldest participants, none other than the world-class problem solver (and ChessBase photographer) John Nunn. Here's a pictorial report and a sample study to solve.

Pawn or battery?

2/11/2011 – In this position from the recent Bundesliga weekend Black had just played 30...c5-c4 which White answered with 31.Qg3 increasing his pressure in the g-file. What do you think? This leads to...
A)... advantage for White
B)... the regain of the exchange, with equality
C)... victory for Black

The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

Tal-like moments and "Dracula-Frankenstein" in Shirov Simul

2/11/2011 – The work of a grandmaster extends far beyond just playing in tournaments, and includes lectures and simuls to allow others to enjoy their skill and knowledge. Shirov passed through Ottawa, Canada where he enjoyed local activities, and distributed a few Tal-like moments, even playing a "Dracula-Frankenstein" variation! John Upper brings us an illustrated report with games and fun anecdotes.

Kavalek in Huffington: King Tut in Chess Puzzles

2/10/2011 – Protecting a king is vital in every chess game, and pawns are best suited to do the job. When the pawns surround the king in chess problems and studies, we see some beautiful and astonishing creations. Entombing the king became a popular theme, and some insisted on burying the king inside a sarcophagus of eight pawns. This, to GM Lubomir Kavalek, evokes memories of King Tut and his tomb.

Aeroflot Open: Le Quang Liem takes early lead with 3.0/3

2/10/2011 – The International Chess Festival, the "Aeroflot Open" has started its 10th edition, with three opens for players of all ratings, and a EUR 125,000 prize fund. In the A Open, reserved for players rated 2550 or more, last year's winner Le is in the sole lead with 3.0/3 after a brilliant win, and will face the top-seed Kamsky, who also won with a sparkling positional queen sacrifice. Report and games.