Roman Dzindzichashvili in his prime

5/31/2007 – His name is hard to pronounce (gin-gee-hah-shvi-li is an approximation), and he is mainly engaged in producing books and videos these days. But our Playchess trainer Dennis Monokroussos acquaints us with the style of this top-notch GM with a tactical gem taken from 1973. See you all tonight on the server – Thursday at 9 pm ET!

North Cyprus, where all your wishes are fulfilled

5/31/2007 – Passing through difficult periods of its history, today North Cyprus has become a cultural center, full of legends, museums, castles and churches. The 200,000 people living in the northern part are friendly and hospitable, making you feel that you are part of a big family– like the chess family in Gens Una Sumus. WGM Elena Partac tells us about the Duzkaya international chess tournament.

Nigel Short tops the field at the 2007 Canadian Open

5/31/2007 – Ottawa, the capital of Canada, will host the 44th annual Canadian Open Chess Championship, at the four-star Ottawa Marriott in mid-July. It will be a star-studded, one-section event, with GMs Nigel Short, Vadim Milov and Sergey Tiviakov leading the field, which could top more than 250 players. Apart from chess there are lots of exciting things to see in the region. Reason to attend...

Elista R04: Kamsky and Leko through to the finals

5/31/2007 – Peter Leko won his third straight game to defeat Mikhail Gurevich, whilst Gata Kamsky did the same to Etienne Bacrot. Both are now at 3½:½ and in the next round. Wins for Grischuk and Bareev put them on the brink of match victory, whilst Aronian regained the lead against Carlsen. Adams moved ahead of Shirov after the latter blundered. Six decisive results, on a black day in Elista.

Bulgarian Chess Federation to FIDE: Let Topalov play!

5/30/2007 – Before the world championship match between Veselin Topalov and Vladimir Kramnik in Elista both players signed an agreement that said the loser of that match would not play in the 2007 World Championship in Mexico. That was Topalov, whose federation is now pleading for him to be allowed to participate – as the ninth player in the event. Press release.

China wins Women's Team Championship by two points

5/30/2007 – Their oldest player is 22, they are dedicated, determined and physically extremely fit. Nobody could stop the Chinese team, which took the golden trophy in the World Women's Team Championship in Yekaterinburg with consummate ease. Silver and Bronze went to Russia and Ukraine. Our correspondent from the tournament site, WGM Elmira Mirzoeva, provides a spectacular final report.

Vladimir Kramnik on the world of chess (Part 1)

5/30/2007 – How is his health, has his illness been cured? How does he like married life? What were the problems regarding his participation in the upcoming world championship in Mexico? What happens if he does not win this tournament? Is he sufficiently motivated to try? We have conducted a long video interview with World Champion Vladimir Kramnik and bring you, in multiple parts, his candid answers.

Elista R02: Leko, Kamsky win with black, Bareev beats Polgar

5/29/2007 – Peter Leko and Gata Kamsky both scored important points with the black pieces, while Evgeny Bareev ground out a long win with the white pieces against Judit Polgar. Malakhov came close to taking revenge for his round one defeat by Grischuk, but missed the win. That and the four other games were drawn, three of them after long, tough fights, on a hard day's work in Elista.

Movsesian wins Bosna 2007 in Sarajevo

5/29/2007 – This traditional tournament took place in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo for the 37th time, and starred Morozevich, Short, Timofeev, and Sokolov. The six player round robin was won by fifth seed Sergei Movsesian, an Armenian-Slovakian grandmasters, who led the tournament from the start. Second was local boy Borki Predojevic. Report, pictures and games.

Elista R03: Leko, Kamsky, Carlsen and Rublevsky score

5/29/2007 – Peter Leko beat Mikhail Gurevich in a second consecutive game, Gata Kamsky did the same to France's Etienne Bacrot. Rublevsky beat Ponomarionv with black, Magnus Carlsen struck back against Levon Aronian to equalise their score with a fine white-game win. Judit Polgar failed to win a promising position. Leko and Kamsky have a comfortable lead at the half-way mark. Full report.

Andrew Martin: 'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war'

5/28/2007 – William Shakespeare never fails to attract attention and his famous quote could well apply to our first game this week in our Playchess lecture, which comes to you directly from Hamburg on Wednesday at the ungodly hour of 11:00 a.m. Central European Time, in order not to clash with Yasser Seirawan's commentary on the Candidates in Elista. See you on the server.

Women's Team Championship: China two points ahead

5/27/2007 – The Chinese team seems to be unstoppable. After six rounds they lead the World Women's Team Championship in Yekaterinburg with 11/12 points. They are followed by Russia with 9/12 and Georgia and Ukraine with eight points each. But it is the team from Botswana, with zero points, that seems to be having the most fun. Big illustrated report by WGM Elmira Mirzoeva.

Candidates Matches – the adventure of arriving in Elista

5/27/2007 – The participants of the qualifying event for the World Championship arrived in Elista on Friday, to take part in an openings ceremony, where white and black sheep determined the colours of the first game. It was a fairly adventurous trip involving a mad rush between airports in Moscow, and a minor bus accident in Elista which left the players shaken but not stirred. Big picture report.

Who are the favourites for the Candidates in Elista?

5/27/2007 – There are 16 participants in the first round of play at the Candidates Matches. They range from 16-year-old Magnus Carlsen to 48-year-old Mikhail Gurevich. Who has the best chances, who are the hot favourites? We asked Yasser Seirawan, who will be doing live commentary on the Playchess server. Read his take on the participants, visit his lectures and if necessary make him eat his words.

Elista R01: Aronian, Grischuk draw first blood

5/27/2007 – A great start for Armenian star and top seed Levon Aronian, who was able to take a full point from Norway's Magnus Carlsen with the black pieces. Alexander Grischuk won the other decided game, against compatriot Vladimir Malakhov. Judit Polgar was close to a traumatic first-round loss with white against Evgeny Bareev, but managed to save the day. Illustrated report.

Shirov in top form

5/25/2007 – Many chess friends will cross their fingers for Alexei Shirov at the Candidates' Matches in Elista in the next days. Lately he has shown ever-improving form, in Cañada de Calatrava and in the Russian Team Championship. On his recent DVD on the Slav and Semi-Slav you can already watch him in top form, says IM Steingrimsson. Buy it now or read this review with sampler.

Sixth PAL/CSS Freestyle Tournament with $16,000 prize

5/25/2007 – A "Freestyle tournament" is one in which computer assistance – or help in any conceivable form – during the game is allowed and encouraged. The Sixth PAL/CSS Freestyle tournament takes place from June 1st-3rd, with the finals being held three weeks later. The main sponsor, the PAL Group in Abu Dhabi (UAE), has provided a $16,000 dollar prize fund. Join the fun.

Candidates Matches and Computer Challenge to begin in Elista

5/25/2007 – Sunday's the big day. In Elista, Kalmykia, the Candidates Matches begin, with 16 players vying for four places available in the September World Championship in Mexico. During the final phase of the Candidates there will also be a Computer Challenge match between the top programs Deep Junior and Deep Fritz. GM Yasser Seirawan will provide live commentary.

Alex Shabalov wins US Championship – with Q-Link?

5/24/2007 – America's sixth highest rated player, GM Alexander Shabalov, won clear first in this year's US Championship, scoring 7/9 points and picking up a $12,000 purse. In a time when people are worried about electronic assistance during chess games Shabalov pinned his hopes on a more mystical device, a Q-Link pendant. Read all about it before you get yourself one in our illustrated report.

An important lesson in an unorthodox French

5/24/2007 – Vadim Zvjaginsev is one of the most original players on the chess scene, a man who introduced the improbable 1.e4 c5 2.Na3 into grandmaster praxis. Tonight our Playchess trainer Dennis Monokroussos takes a look at an attractive, picturesque, thematic and instructive Zvjaginsev game that started 1.e4 e6 2.f4. French and anti-French aficionados should check it out.

China and Ukraine lead in Women's Team Championship

5/24/2007 – After the traumatic 0:4 drubbing at the hands of the Chinese the main question of round three was whether the Russian team would be able to recover. They were, and the 3.5-0.5 victory over Vietnam set them back on track for the medals. In the meantime China and Ukrain conceded a draw each in round four, but still lead the field. Big illustrated report by WGM Elmira Mirzoeva.

Anand: 'I see a bright future for India'

5/24/2007 – And chess in general. The world's highest ranked player is currently in India, in his native Chennai. Vishy Anand is slowly starting his preparations for the World Championship in Mexico, and enjoying some of the best food in the world (South Indian vegetarian). He also took time to talk to Sportstar, a publication of one of India's largest newspapers, The Hindu. We bring you excerpts.

Andrew Martin: Secret Weapons

5/22/2007 – Clubs players are always on the lookout for ambush opening systems which will catch an unsuspecting opponent squarely on the nose. Our Playchess trainer shows us an unusual French that fits the bill. Also two GM games flesh out proceedings, and a chess puzzle for your enjoyment. Lecture at 22:00h CEST.

Young Stars of the World 2007

5/22/2007 – The tournament is being held in Kirishi, near St Petersburg in Russia. It brings together young talents, most 16 years or younger, from all over the world – Russia, India, Germany, Bielorussia, Armenia, Azerbajan and Ukraine. After five rounds of play 14-year-old Parimarjan Negi of India is in the lead, together with Andriasian Zaven of Armenia. Picture report.