7/13/2010 – Remember the Karpov fund-raiser in New York? A similar extravaganza will take place in London, in the famous Simpson's-in-the-Strand, where 19th century intellectuals, sitting on comfortable divans, discussed politics and played chess. Steinitz, Morphy, Lasker and Zukertort were regulars. On Sept. 8th you can join forces with Kasparov, Adams, Short and McShane in exhibition games. Invitation.

7/13/2010 – The Paris Championship is the oldest French Open – Abraham Baratz won the first edition in 1925. The leading players in this year's event included GM Tigran Gharamian (2650), GM Alberto David (2622) and GM Sébastien Feller (2611). The Open Tournament took place from July 3rd to 11th, 2010. It was a nine-round Swiss, FIDE rules, 40 moves/1h 30 + 30 sec then 30 mn + 30 sec. Pictorial report.

7/12/2010 – We bring an interview with GM Pavel Eljanov, fresh off an impressive win at the FIDE Grand Prix in Astrakhan, which rocketed him to 8th in the world rankings. He is currently the number one Ukrainian, ahead of stars such as Ivanchuk and Karjakin. He describes his impressions on the Sofia rules, his development as a player, and reveals his fashion consultant. Here is the pictorial profile.

7/12/2010 – Two of the most prestigious tournaments in the country, the 2010 U.S. Women's Championship and the 2010 U.S. Junior Closed Championship, are taking place July 9-20 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. IM Anna Zatonskih is looking to defend the crown which she won two years in succession. In the Junior section Ray Robson is the top seed. Report after two rounds.

7/12/2010 – ... is always a good idea was White's reasoning here when he played 37.Re1-e3, covering the threat against f2 while getting the rook into position on the third rank. How is the position to be assessed after this?
A) White wins, his king is safe and there is nothing against the threats 38.d6 and Qh8+;
B) Black can land an immediate counterstrike;
C) Black gets the advantage by also combining attack with defence.
The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

7/11/2010 – A week ago we broke the news: tissue samples had been taken from chess champion Bobby Fischer's grave, on the order of the Icelandic Supreme Court to settle a paternity dispute. Most news sources reported that the body had been "exhumed", and our version – a hole dug in the ground next to the grave – was disputed. Now the Pastor in charge of the procedure provides clarification.

7/5/2010 – ... the game often wins itself, as you can read in many text books on the attack. Just optically this piece always looks menacing, and here even a colleague is at the ready on g3. How do you judge the situation?
A) Black has too many pieces on the kingside, there can't be anything for White;
B) the first player gets a crushing attack, however, a clever preparation move is needed first; 
C) she can strike right away.
The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

7/5/2010 – With one round to go in the FIDE Women Grand Prix the 23-year-old Georgian grandmaster Nana Dzagnidze is in the lead by a full point, and so will finish at least equal first. Her closest (and only) rival Tatiana Kosintseva missed a clear win in round ten. It would have brought her withing half a point of the leader. Big illustrated report on rounds nine and ten.

7/5/2010 – We have been informed that the remains of former World Champion Bobby Fischer were "exhumed" on Monday in the early hours of the morning. This was done on the order of the Icelandic Supreme Court, to settle a paternity dispute. Everything was done in a professional and dignified manner, with a priest and doctor present. The grave was left in its original state.

7/5/2010 – The First International Chess Tournament, which was held in this historical Moroccan city of Marrakech, attracted 140 players from all over the world. Our colleagues from the French chess magazine Europe Echecs produced video reports, which included an interview with the strongest female player in history. Judit Polgar was in Marrakech to play a simul against twenty local ladies.

7/4/2010 – A month ago Kirsan Ilyumzhinov revealed that he was suing his challenger for the FIDE Presidency for libel. Now the Karpov campaign is threatening legal action if FIDE does not submit the Ilyumzhinov ticket's documents for examination ("by close of business on Tuesday, July 6th"). It looks as though the campaign for FIDE president may be headed to a courtroom soon.

7/4/2010 – On July 4th, 1776, the US declared its independence from Great Britain. Since then this day has been a federal holiday, associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies. And now with chess puzzles, of which GM Lubomir Kavalek presents two for Independence Day. Solutions next week.