9/30/2009 – The recent match between Kasparov and Karpov in Valencia, Spain, was a tremendous success. That is tragic, says Garry Kasparov – when two old guys, one retired, the other no longer a real force in the game, still are the greatest show in the world of chess. In his interview with GM Robert Fontaine for the French magazine Europe-Echecs Kasparov vents his feelings on this and other subjects. Part two.

9/30/2009 – In the Short-Efimenko match, which finished last Saturday in 
Mukachevo, the young Ukrainian player went straight into the lead in round one, but saw Short catch up immediately in the next round. The match was finally decided in round five - in a rook ending, in which the experienced English player demonstrated his faultless technique to secure the win. In the position in the diagram Short (White) was on the move and held on to his advantage with an accurate manoeuvre. Can you work out his 38th move? Our ChessBase Magazine endgame expert GM Karsten Müller has analysed the decisive phase of this game.

9/29/2009 – The Second Nanjing Pearl Spring Chess Tournament started off with a traditionally colourful pageant, with Chinese mimes, dancers, singers and acrobats – a visual feast. On Monday, in addition to the Men's Tournament the Nanjing Fide Women Grand Prix got under way, a category eight tournament with an Elo average of 2447. Here's a giant pictorial report with analysis of all games.

9/29/2009 – The training sessions with Garry Kasparov seem to be working out. In round two Magnus Carlsen scored a second, very convincing victory – over top seed Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria. Peter Leko drew Teimour Radjabov in 32, Dmitry Jakovenko drew Wang Yue in 35 moves. Magnus leads by a full point. We bring you an updated report with pictures and commentary.

9/28/2009 – Garry Kasparov won the commemorative match against Anatoly Karpov convincingly by 9.0-3.0. After it was over GM Robert Fontaine, roving reporter for the French magazine Europe Echecs, sat down with the winner to discuss the games, the match, and Kasparov's work with the young chess star Magnus Carlsen. The interview is presented in two sections. Here for your enjoyment is part one.

9/28/2009 – Garry Kasparov will be proud. His chess charge, Magnus Carlsen, won his first-round game against Peter Leko at the Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a convincing Scotch Opening – Kasparov's favourite during his active career. The other two games, Topalov-Jakovenko and Wang Yue-Radjabov were fighting draws. A big pictorial report follows, here for now are the games and analysis.

9/27/2009 – "Nigel has a 3:2 lead, so it is quite simple for Zahar," wrote GM Klaus Bischoff. "He has to win the last game, a draw is of no use. This must-win situation is unpleasant, but every chess player has been in there." And who amongst us has not failed. The game ended in a draw and Nigel Short had won the match 3.5-2.5, pretty much in keeping with the rating difference. Final report with GM analysis.

9/26/2009 – "So we have four games played and White could not win a single game yet," noted match commentator Klaus Bischoff. "Today we will see Nigel's last try with the white pieces." Try he did, and in fact pulled off a fine victory to take a 3.0-2.0 lead in this match (with one game to go). Not a single game so far has been unfought or boring. Report with GM analysis.

9/26/2009 – This Category 16 event, billed as the "highest rated international invitational tournament in U.S. history", is named after its founder, former Women's World Champion Susan Polgar. After six rounds GMs Kuzubov, Andreikin and Hammer lead, but Group B (Cat. 11) is also interesting, since 14-year-old IM Ray Robson is trying to pick up his final GM norm. Illustrated report.

9/25/2009 – ... is a continuation which immediately springs to mind in a position - if, for example, a piece can be developed to an active square in the opening with tempo. In the diagram, playing 16.Rad1 White occupied the d-file with his rook and at the same time attacked the opponent's queen. What is your judgement on this?
A) simple and strong, the move maintains a powerful initiative;
B) here nature is against White, Black gets the advantage; 
C) neither nor, with a precise reaction the position is kept in balance.
The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

9/25/2009 – Everyone expected an easy win by Kasparov, but their eight-game blitz encounter started with a shock loss. Karpov drew first blood, Kasparov took a "deep breath" 17-move draw to clear his head, and then went on to score five wins in a row. The final game was a draw, leaving Kasparov winning the blitz with 6.0:2.0 and the match with 9.0:3.0 – exactly as their ratings predicted. Illustrated report.

9/24/2009 – Day two of the commemorative rapid chess match saw Anatoly Karpov win a fine game against the man who dethroned him as World Champion 25 years ago. In the final game Garry Kasparov only needed a draw, but put on the pressure until Karpov crumbled and lost – again – on time. The final score of 3.0:1.0 is exactly what the ratings predicted. Illustrated report with videos.