3/30/2011 – As you know the recent suspicion of organized cheating during a Chess Olympiad has led to three French players being suspended. One is currently playing in the European Individual Championship, where his colleagues have published an open letter demanding additional security. For years we have been proposing a remedy for this very serious problem. It needs to be implemented now.

3/29/2011 – The title isn't misleading, though it is not meant to suggest Vladimir has not earned his spot. However, with 5.5/6 going into round seven, followed by fourteen players with 5.0/6, a draw meant that all fourteen would need to fail to win... and that is exactly what happened! This also allowed others to close in and now nineteen are snapping at his heels. Rounds six and seven.

3/28/2011 – Tuesday will see an Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECU board, where some very far-reaching decisions are on the agenda: the introduction of Sofia and Bilbao rules in all ECU events, the introduction of a dress code, and to copyright chess games. The president of the Turkish Chess Federation is asking delegates to reject the proposals and announcing his intention to sue if they are passed.

3/28/2011 – It has nothing to do with fast cars and checkered flags, but with an opening system Carlsen brought to Monaco. The Grand Prix Attack is a lazy player approach to fighting the Sicilian Defense. It can lead to early knockouts as in Carlson's victory against Veselin Topalov, or getting busted in ten moves, as in Carlsen vs Anand. GM Lubomir Kavalek analyses.

3/28/2011 – On Saturday the Schachgesellschaft Zürich celebrated the anniversary of someone who had done more for chess in Switzerland than any other player. Viktor Korchnoi, born on March 23 1931, kicked things off with a clock simul and then attended a gala dinner in his honour. Guests included Mark Taimanov and Garry Kasparov. We bring you a big pictorial report by Frederic Friedel.

3/28/2011 – Recent bad news was that London would not host the 2011 World Championship after all. The good news now is: there will be a third Chess Classic in the Olympia Conference Centre, from December 3-12, 2011. The event has an extra player and round, plus an increased prize fund. We are delighted to hear this, as the Classic has become our favourite tournament. Press release and memories.

3/23/2011 – Levon Aronian increased his lead over Magnus Carlsen to one point with a 1½-½ win over Vladimir Kramnik. Carlsen lost one and won one against Vishy Anand. With two rounds to go it is clear that the fight for victory in this 20th farewell edition will be between Aronian and Carlsen, who is one and a half points ahead Anand, Grischuk and Ivanchuk. Round nine report.

3/23/2011 – One of the defining chess players of our time is the indomitable Viktor Korchnoi. Born on March 23 1931, this chess legend is still going strong, taking part in high level tournaments, travelling and playing like a young man. So what do you think he is doing in his birthday week? Relaxing, reading a good book, sipping port? Then you don't know the man. Biography, pictures and videos.

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.