FIDE announces its Grand Prix Circuit 2008/09

2/6/2008 – The World Chess Federation, together with its commercial arm, Global Chess, is staging a Grand Prix circuit. The top 40 players can participate in four out of six 14-player events that will be staged around the globe. Venues are Baku, Krasnoyarsk, Doha, Montreux, Elista and Karlovy Vary, top qualified players are Anand, Kramnik, Topalov, Kamsky, Shirov, Carlsen and Karjakin. Announcement.

People and personalities – photo report from Wijk (part one)

2/5/2008 – Inspired by the recent pictorial by Fred Lucas on our news pages we went through our own modest photographic spoils from the Wijk aan Zee 2008 tournament. We spent three days in the Dutch sea-side town, equipped with a less ambitious (and much lighter) camera, and met many old friends there. Here then is part one of our pictorial retrospect of Wijk.

Moscow Open 2008 under way

2/4/2008 – The total prize fund is five million rubels, which translates to US $205,000 or close to 140,000 Euro. There are four groups, two open, one for women and one for children. Total number of participants: around 1000. Venue: Russian State Social University in Moscow. Dates: February 2nd to 10th. After two rounds only a few games are available, but a bunch of pictures by Eugene Atarov.

Edward Winter presents: Unsolved Chess Mysteries (24)

2/3/2008 – It has been called the perfect murder. Did the chessplayer W.H. Wallace construct an elaborate alibi before killing his wife at their Liverpool home in 1931? The Editor of Chess Notes examines the chess aspects of the classic Wallace murder case, including a claim that Wallace played against Capablanca. Once again readers are invited to join in the hunt for clues.

Nakamura beats Bu, wins Gibtel 2008

2/2/2008 – It was a tremendously exciting finish. After eight rounds Bu Xiangzhi of China was leading with 7.5 points. In round nine he lost and was caught by Zahar Efimenko. But the Ukrainian GM was beaten by America's Hikaru Nakamura in the final round. So Bu and Nakamura were tied for first. A rapid chess tie-breaker was played, and it was the American who had the better nerves. Final report.

Kasparov on Fischer + Fischer's Legacy, Big Screen plans

2/1/2008 – The latest issue of Time Magazine has a moving tribute to the eleventh World Champion Bobby Fischer, written by Garry Kasparov, the thirteenth World Champion. Meanwhile controversy is brewing over Fischer's estate, estimated at £1 million. And Variety reports on plans for a Hollywood movie "Bobby Fischer Goes to War" directed by Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald. Links and excerpts.

Marinha Grande – Chess and fun in Portugal

2/1/2008 – The country has 1700 organised chess players, of whom only 250 regularly take part in tournaments. Which makes for a family atmosphere in the chess scene. Everybody knows everybody else. The country has two GMs, nine IMs and a bunch of FMs (and a WIM). And FM Ruben Pereira, rated 2423, came second in the world U-16 championship. Impressions by Nicholas Lanier.

The two Q's guarantee

2/1/2008 – What novelties are there for your repertoire? What does your next opponent play? In order to get sound and reliable answers here you must have a database that guarantees both quantity and quality. Mega Database 2008 is the number one in this respect. More than 3.8 million games that have been collected and carefully edited for over ten years. Buy it now or read more.

Easter in the East – like to join?

1/31/2008 – We have just celebrated Christmas and the New Year’s. With Lent just around the corner, the Easter weekend (March 23rd) is surely not too far away. How will you be celebrating Easter this year? What about going east this Easter to compete in chess competitions in Australia and Thailand? Read on to find out more on what’s in store in the East, this Easter! Details by Edwin Lam.

The Kalyanam of Sasi and Radhika

1/30/2008 – Let us explain: Kalyanam is Sanskrit and Tamil for wedding. Sasi is grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran, the second strongest player (after you-know-who) in India, the second to cross the 2700 mark. Radhika is the daughter of Suryanarayanan and bravely agreed to wed Sasi. The ceremony took place last Sunday in Chennai, South India. We have pictures.

Alexei Shirov: My Best Games in the Sveshnikov

1/30/2008 – Looking for something sharp? If you like complex positions which require precise and inventive play from both sides, you may want to lean them from the present-day Mihail Tal, grandmaster Alexei Shirov, who like Tal hails from Latvia and is one of the strongest, certainly one of the most imaginative players in the world. His latest DVD is another jewel of chess training.

The great Bu's up – and playing at a 3022 level!

1/30/2008 – Bu Xiangzhi of China is 22 years old. He became a grandmaster when he was 13 years, 10 months, 13 days old – which made him the youngest GM in history (at the time). After eight rounds of the 6th Gibtel Chess Festival in Gibraltar Bu is leading with 7½/8, and a Elo 3022 performance. Which led BCM editor John Saunders to come up with one of the most atrocious puns in chess history.

Bobby Fischer at the Second Piatigorsky

1/30/2008 – In 1966 the great players in chess were Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky and Bent Larsen. At the Second Piatigorsky Cup in Santa Monica, California, the young Bobby Fischer started with a dismal 3½-5½, against themse players. But then he demonstrated his coming greatness by catching up with a 6½/7 run. Our Playchess.com lecturer Dennis Monokroussos looks at this memorable event.

Players and personalities – photo report by Fred Lucas

1/29/2008 – "My relation with chess is simple," he says. "I'm a photographer who is very fond of the game, loves the atmosphere at tournaments – and I love to make pictures, especially with available light." As the official photographer once again in Wijk aan Zee Fred Lucas has documented the tournament with his extraordinary work. We bring you a selection in this amazing pictorial.

Wijk final round: an exciting farewell

1/28/2008 – The players chose a nice way to say farewell to the spectators: almost all the games were hard fought, two of them were decided. The two leaders drew their games after prolonged and balanced fights. Anand obtained a promising attack against Kramnik's Petroff but failed to take advantage of the favourable situation and had to content himself with a draw in 61 moves. GM Mihail Marin annotates.

'Fischer and Miyoko were indeed married'

1/27/2008 – Did Bobby Fischer marry the president of the Japan Chess Association, Miyoko Watai, with whom he lived for some years in Japan? This question moves out of the gossip columns and requires serious investigation as questions are raised in the press about the legality of Fischer's "secret burial" – and the fate of his estate, estimated at about £1.5 million. We have received a letter from a close associate.

Wijk round twelve: an enormously complex ending

1/27/2008 – Normally chess commentary tells us which were the key moments in a game, which the mistakes and why one player won or was able to hold a draw. But when you are dealing with a great player like Judit Polgar and a full blooded chess trainer like GM Mihail Marin it can easily be turned into a chess lesson. Here is one installment you cannot afford to miss. Take notes while you read.

Wijk R13: Aronian, Carlsen win Wijk aan Zee 2008

1/27/2008 – Both the leading players, Levon Aronian and Magnus Carlsen, drew their games and are joint winners of the tournament, half a point ahead of the field. Behind them Anand in third and Radjabov in fourth. In the B Group it was Movsesian ahead of Short and Bacrot, and in the C Group young Fabiano Caruna two full points ahead of everyone else. Express report.

Outsmart the Guards, Capture the Flag

1/26/2008 – Igor Sukhin is a chess teacher with a method. The author of around 100 books – from chess to crosswords to mathematical puzzles – totalling around 1.3 million copies in sales, has developed special methods for teaching children the game. Especially 4-6-year-olds, for whom the study of chess dramatically improves their grades in school. Bisik-Bisik by Edwin Lam.

Marin on Wijk round eleven: the most spectacular so far

1/26/2008 – This round brought us sharp attacks, unexpected blunders and four decisive games – the record for this year's Wijk aan Zee. The hero of the day was Magnus Carlsen, who built up a super-sharp attack against Anand's Scheveningen Sicilian, but missed a good chance and then a sure draw, succumbing to the World Champion's superb defence. GM commentary and videos.

Wijk R12: Carlsen beats Kramnik with black, Eljanov beats Topalov

1/26/2008 – We need to say that again: Magnus Carlsen, 17 years young, beat former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik with the black pieces. Veselin Topalov came a cropper against Pavel Eljanov in a Modern Benoni. Michael Adams was outplayed by Judit Polgar, who had the black side of a Petroff. Movsesian and Caruana lead groups B and C by a full point. Express report.

Bobby Fischer – his final weeks

1/25/2008 – One of the greatest chess legends, the eleventh world champion Robert Bobby Fischer, passed on January 17, 2008. The cause of death was renal failure. He was quietly buried by his closest friends at a cemetery in the countryside he loved. Controversy is arising due to the secrecy of the burial, but we are convinced it was conducted according to his personal wishes. Report and tributes.

Wijk R11: Anand beats Magnus Carlsen, Aronian leads

1/25/2008 – It was like the irresistible force meeting the immovable object: young Magnus Carlsenthrew everything into a kingside attack that looked quite overwhelming; while Vishy Anand defended calmly and took the full point. In the B Group Nigel Short has advanced to second place, in the C Group Fabiano Caruana is a full point ahead. Nine black wins today, just two for White. Express report.

Wijk round ten: So many wins, so little time...

1/24/2008 – What a way to lose. Loek van Wely got his young opponent Magnus Carlsen into trouble soon after the opening. But then the Dutch grandmaster became confused when he was faced, at each each step, with the uncomfortable task of choosing between several clear wins! He let his advantage slip away completely and then blundered, allowing Carlsen to start a decisive attack. Analysis and video.