7/25/2009 – Chess, as we all know, is a magnificent game. It is also a great promotional tool. Banks, insurance companies, law firms – everyone seems to use chess motifs these day. Even car companies, and even in the Ukraine. Earlier this month German auto manufacturer Daimler presented two new Mercedes models, and invited WGM Natalia Zhukova to star in the event. Pictorial report.

7/25/2009 – In 2006 a 15-year-old lad scored a double victory over Alexander Morozevich in the Biel Tournament – which in spite of this the Russian won. That was Magnus Carlsen. This year another chess prodigy, Fabiano Caruana, has defeated Morozevich in the first half of the double round robin. At halftime Ivanchuk and Morozevich lead, with 3.0/5 points. Report after round five.

7/24/2009 – On January 1st 2004 the Association of Chess Professionals took up operations. Today it has 250 members from 44 countries, and has organised eight tournaments with a total prize fund of over 400,000 Euros. Five years is long enough to draw some conclusions about the activities, and to develop directions for the years to come. ACP Secretary Olena Boytsun reports.

7/23/2009 – This edition of the Canadian Open concluded with GM Mark Bluvshtein and IM Edward Porper clearing the field. We make a brief return to the scene of the crime to shed light on some of the lesser known faces around the tournament hall. Unsurprisingly, the Canadian contingent was large and noticeable, perhaps striking fear into the hearts of the foreign top-seeded players. Pictures by MonRoi.

7/22/2009 – ... with the opponent already controlling one long diagonal and about to occupy the second usually means red alert. Here White has played 30.Qe5 holding a pistol to Black's head. What do you think about that?

A) A real knockout blow, forcing immediate resignation;
B) Not bad, but a surprising trick lets Black escape into an endgame;
C) The move is rubbish, throwing away White's entire advantage.
The solution is here, but first ponder it with a larger version of the diagram.

7/22/2009 – Judit Polgar burst on the scene in the late 80s and early 90s as a great attacking player and tactician. But the strongest female in the history of the game can, when necessary, maneuver and utilize the strategic advantages in a position. She proves it a game against Vishy Anand that is the subject of this week's Playchess lecture by Dennis Monokroussos. Be there to watch at 9 p.m. ET.

7/22/2009 – At Elo 2703 the 40-year-old Ukrainian Vassily Ivanchuk may be only the fifth seed in the 2009 Biel International Chess Festival, but everyone knows that he is one of the best players in the world (number three in the January 2009 list). In round three he showed his expertise in a rook and bishop ending to grind down the youngest participant Fabiano Caruana. Report and correction.

7/22/2009 – The city of Tromsø, located within the Arctic Circle in Norway, has become a hot-bed of chess. Not only is Tromsø bidding for the Chess Olympiad 2014 – every year they stage a very attractive chess tournament in this beautiful location. This year the Arctic Challenge will be staged from August 1st to 9th, with 132 entries and lots of title holders – an ideal opportunity to make norms.

7/21/2009 – The mercurial Russian GM Alexander Morozevich, 32 years old, Elo 2751, ranked 10th in the world, seems to mean business: he has scored two victories in the first two rounds of the 2009 Biel International Chess Festival, defeating last year's winner Evgeny Alexeev and top seed Boris Gelfand. Morozevich is a full point ahead of the field. Round two report.

7/21/2009 – Nine players were in contention, five drew their games, two lost and two Canadians won. GM Mark Bluvshtein and IM Edward Porper beat FM Theo Hommeles and GM Surya Ganguly to take first places. Bluvshtein won the title on tiebreak. In the next slot, 3rd–8th, we find Shirov, Adams and Irina Krush! Illustrated report with round eight commentary by GM Alexander Shabalov.

7/20/2009 – The Editor of Chess Notes looks back at the remarkable legacy of a writer of erudition, wit and urbanity who combined rigorous research with sparkling quips. In some quarters today, however, that writer’s name may barely be recognized, so we have pleasure in introducing, or re-introducing, readers to one of the great neglected figures of chess lore.

7/20/2009 – In an earlier report we told of the 2-0 victory of US GM Hikaru Nakamura in the tiebreak blitz after he and Ruslan Ponomariov had tied for first in the Dondstia San Sebastian Category 18 tournament. Unfortunately owing to a malfunction in the sensor board all the moves of the second game were not recorded. Not to worry: David Llada filmed it all and provides us with a video document of both games.