Jones, Kurnosov, Neverov lead in Hastings

1/1/2009 – As the 84th Hastings Congress heads into 2009, the lead is shared by Gawain Jones of England, Igor Kurnosov of Russia and Valery Neverov of Ukraine. Lower down the lists, some amateur players have produced brilliant efforts, helped in at least one case by advance sight of what is surely the greatest chess book ever written. Onsite reporter Steve Giddins explains.

Topalov leads in the January 2009 FIDE ratings

12/31/2008 – The latest rating list does not count the Nanjing Super-GM, but even without it Veselin Topalov has stayed in first place, with a rating just four points shy of 2800. In second place is the World Champion Viswanathan Anand, who gained eight points from his match against Vladimir Kramnik (now eighth) to end at 2791. Vassily Ivanchuk is third, Magnus Carlsen fourth. January 2009 ratings.

84th International Chess Congress in Hastings

12/30/2008 – The annual International Chess Congress at Hastings has started at the Horntye Park leisure centre. The nine-round Masters' section features 13 GMs, 16 IMs and one WGM. The field is led by the rating favourite Emanuel Berg of Sweden, and the British challenge by David Howell. We will be reporting on the event on a two-round basis. Here for starters is the round one report by Steve Giddins.

André Diamant wins Brazilian Championship 2008

12/30/2008 – The 75th Brazilian Championship was held in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the country's southernmost state. 18-year-old IM André Diamant, a Jewish lad wearing a typical Yarmulke, outplayed his more experienced and better-ranked opponents to score 8.0/11 points and win the event in impressive style. From Brazil we bring you a big illustrated report by Igor Freiberger.

Capablanca vs Molina and Ruiz

12/29/2008 – Some sacrifices are part of a winning combination, and other sacrifices are made for long-term compensation. Both kinds are common, but how often do you see a sacrifice to stalemate the enemy army? That's what happens in our Playchess lecture, which deals with a 1914 victory in a consultation game, starring the legendary José Raúl Capablanca.

Bobby Fischer: The Wonder Match

12/29/2008 – In January this year one of the world's greatest chess geniuses, Bobby Fischer, died. He was 64 and had lived a turbulent life, fraught with trials, tribulations – and love for chess. Fischer is gone, but his memory and legend live on, even in the pages of the biggest newspapers, where he will periodically appear. As in this Magazine piece of the New York Times. We bring you excerpts.

Ivanchuk proposes a Candidates' tournament with 14 players

12/29/2008 – "I'd like to offer my opinion on the changes to the world championship system," writes Vassily Ivanchuk. The world number three ranked player goes on to suggest that the Grand Prix should not be a qualifier, and that 14 or 12 players should play a tournament, regular or knockout. This for 2010, "after which it will be possible to start planning a new cycle." Translation from ChessPro.

Elista R13: Eljanov beats Inarkiev, all other games drawn

12/28/2008 – Which means: no change in the top rankings. Teimour Radjabov, Dmitry Jakovenko and Alexander Grischuk share first place, with Radjabov leading in the Grand Prix after three events. He and Grischuk battled it out in the final round for 97 moves without a result. The other contender for sole first, Jakovenko, did not get a chance to win with black against Evgeny Alekseev. Final report.

Elista R11: Kasimdzhanov beats Inarkiev with black

12/27/2008 – That was the only decisive game in round eleven: Uzbek GM Rustam Kasimdzhanov defeated his Russian colleague Ernesto Inarkiev in a convoluted 86-move game. Since all other games were drawn the table has not changed. It has Jakovenko, Radjabov and Grischuk in the lead. In a new and interesting FIDE questionnaire the players were asked their opinion about computer cheating.

Elista R12: Kasimdzhanov beats Cheparinov, all other games drawn

12/27/2008 – Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan, one of Vishy Anand's trusted seconds (at the World Championship in Bonn) had a very spotty start to this event. But today he scored his second victory in succession, this time against Ivan Cheparinov of Bulgaria, one of former FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov's trusted seconds. All other games were drawn, the table remains essentially the same.

A plethora of Rybka engines

12/26/2008 – Rybka has joined the stable of ChessBase engines! In the start of a multi-part series on this amazing chess engine's new features, our ChessBase Workshop columnist tackles the plethora of engines which ship with the two Rybka versions. Read more about this host of new engines in the latest Workshop.

Hugh Myers (1930-2008), opening theoretician

12/25/2008 – The chess world has lost a particularly creative player and prominent exponent of unorthodox openings. Hugh Myers was a true chess lover: an author, theoretician and magazine editor who wrote a gripping autobiography and made a memorable contribution to chess politics. Four of his entertaining games are presented here. In memoriam.

Elista R10: White Christmas at the Grand Prix

12/25/2008 – It was not a peaceful festival day in Elista: five decisive games out of seven, with White winning them all. That put three players in the joint lead: Dmitry Jakovenko, Teimour Radjabov and Alexander Grischuk, with yesterday's leader Vugar Gashimov half a point behind. With three rounds to go these four are in contention. Round ten report.

Elista R9: Gashimov catches Grischuk

12/24/2008 – Alexander Grischuk drew against Vladimir Akopain, while Vugar Gashimov ensnared Shakhriyar Mamedyarov's queen to take the full point and join him in the lead. Dmitry Jakovenko played a great attacking game against Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Teimour Radjabov defeated Pavel Eljanov with black, and Wang Yue outplayed Ivan Cheparinov. Report and questionnaire on how to cope with failures.

ACP, Carlsen on the FIDE Grand Prix problems

12/24/2008 – The Association of Chess Professionals thinks that FIDE failed to demand sufficient bank guarantees from the Grand Prix bidders, and that players who were deprived of their participation should be compensated. Meanwhile, Nick Faulks evaluates the previous ACP report, and Magnus Carlsen provides further background information on his withdrawal from the Grand Prix. Info and opinions.

AMD in India: Vishy Anand's media blitz

12/23/2008 – Advanced Micro Devices is the second-largest global supplier of microprocessors and the third-largest supplier of graphics processing units. World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand is the brand model for AMD, which is driving large ad campaigns with him in India. On his current trip to his birth country Anand took part in a media blitz in the "Silicon City" of Bangalore. Press clippings.

Elista R7: Grischuk, Inarkiev, Eljanov win, Grischuk now leads

12/22/2008 – Alexander Grischuk won his second consecutive game today, with a well-played Benko/Volga Gambit as black against Evgeny Alekseev. Teimour Radjabov spoilt a perfectly good position against Ernesto Inarkiev, losing for the first time in this event. Pavel Eljanov played a 125-mover to grind out a win against Ivan Cheparinov in a queen ending. Report with an interview with Teimour Radjabov.

Mikhail Tal – the all-time winner

12/22/2008 – "Fischer and Kasparov might head the polls for 'greatest player ever'", says Dennis Monokroussos, "but when it comes to favorites Tal might be the all-time winner." In his Playchess lecture – this time on Monday night at 9 p.m. ET (early Tuesday for those of you in Europe) he shows us why, using the 1957 game Tal-Koblentz to illustrate the point.

Carsten Hensel and Vladimir Kramnik – no longer a team

12/22/2008 – "We would like to inform you that we will not extend our contract," says the terse statement put out by the many-year manager of Vladimir Kramnik. Carsten Hensel, who was directly responsible for the organisation of World Championship matches (Kramnik-Leko, Kramnik-Anand) and the computer match Kramnik-Deep Fritz, parts company with his main client on December 31st. Press release.

Elista R8: Grischuk does it again: wins and leads

12/22/2008 – Today Alexander Grischuk won his third game in succession (we're counting, Sasha!), against the "undefeatable" Chinese GM Wang Yue. Rustam Kasimdzhanov won his first game in this event, beating Vladimir Akopian, while Ivan Cheparinov played a stunner against Evgeny Alekseev to take the full point. Grischuk leads alone, by half a point. Round eight report.

Elista R6: Grischuk, Alekseev win, marathon games in Elista

12/21/2008 – Alexander Grischuk had to work for 79 moves to win his pawn-up ending against Pavel Eljanov. Evgeny Alexseev outplayed the Armenian GM Vladimir Akopian on the black side of a Ruy Lopez Breyer which lasted 61 moves. Cheparinov-Gashimov concluded with bare kings on move 68. Mamedyarov-Leko was a titanic 110-move struggle which ended in a draw. Round six report.

Nanjing R10: Topalov wins Pearl Spring with 2890 performance

12/21/2008 – Ivanchuk outplayed the Chinese GM Bu Xiangzhi to take a final point in the Pearl Spring Tournament in Nanjing. Aronian-Svidler was drawn in 45 moves, while the Slav between Topalov and Movsesian lasted 32 moves before peace was agreed. In the final standings Veselin Topalov finished a point and a half ahead of the field – another remarkable performance by the Bulgarian Super-GM. Final report.

Edward Winter's Chess Explorations (14)

12/21/2008 – The end-of-year quiz presented by the Editor of Chess Notes is simplicity itself (or almost): decide which move White played in each of six positions. The main prize is a copy of Yasser Seirawan’s fine book Winning Chess Combinations, which the US master will inscribe personally to the winner of the competition. The battle is now on.

Nanjing R9: Topalov defeats Svidler, wins Pearl Spring

12/20/2008 – Is he on his way to becoming the greatest player in the history of chess? Veselin Topalov won the penultimate game of the Super-GM in Nanjing, beating Peter Svidler with the black pieces. That puts him a point and a half ahead of the field and clear the winner of the event. Topalov's "live rating" is now 2810, almost 20 points ahead of World Champion Viswanathan Anand. Full illustrated report.