He's Got You Cornered

3/7/2006 – "The game of chess is actually easy enough to learn, but the finer aspects can take years to master," writes Newsweek in the Tip Sheet of its latest issue. "While there are no shortcuts to playing a better game, here are some high-tech chessboards that will help you sharpen your skills." Sound advice.

Nakamura slumps at US Championship

3/6/2006 – Last year's bright young US champion has made a terrible start to defending his title in the 2006 US Championship in San Diego. Hikaru Nakamura lost to 19-year-old Josh Friedel and, oh dear oh dear, to WGM Camilla Baginskaite. Of course after just three rounds everything is still open. Illustrated report and links.

No draw today, Sonny!

3/5/2006 – What can one do when the opponent plays nakedly for a draw from the very first moves? Well, you just have to grit your teeth and keep going, says our Wednesday night Playchess lecturer Andrew Martin. Or more simply: Believe in your technique!

Linares R9: Topalov's great comeback

3/5/2006 – After dismal results in Morelia – he ended up with minus two – Veselin Topalov seems to have found back to old form in Spanish Linares. He won his second game in a row, with black against Bacrot, narrowing the gap to the leading Peter Leko to 1.5 points. Updated report with commentary by GM Mihail Marin.

Fischer vs Spassky – the gripping 13th game

3/5/2006 – The Match of the Century took place thirty-four years ago. After losing and forfeiting the first two games Fischer obliterated Spassky 6.5-1.5 in the next eight, only to be stopped in his tracks in game 11, when Spassky crushed his Poisoned Pawn. The critical encounter was game 13, which our Playchess lectureer Dennis Monokroussos will discuss in his Monday night lecture.

Linares R10: Topalov marches on

3/5/2006 – Veselin Topalov appears unstoppable in Linares. The second half of the Super-GM has brought him three wins in three games so far. Today it was an endgame victory over Levon Aronian. Vassily Ivanchuk is in the dumps with a second loss in three games, this time to Radjabov. Now updated with pictures and very instructive commentary by GM Mihail Marin.

Vladimir Tukmakov turns sixty

3/5/2006 – Today Ukrainian Grandmaster Vladimir Tukmakov celebrates his 60th birthday. He was three times second in the USSR Championship and in recent years became the trainer of the Ukrainian national team. In 2004 he led this team to a Gold medal at the Olympiad in Calvià. Together with our colleagues at Chess Today we wish Vladimir a happy anniversary!

Linares: Topalov on the rebound?

3/3/2006 – He left Morelia in Mexico with a shocking minus two score. In the first round of the Linares (Spain) half of this Super-GM Veselin Topalov scored a fine victory over second seed Peter Svidler. Is this the start of a big comeback? Etienne Bacrot beat Vassily Ivanchuk with black. Now with pictures and full annotation.

FIDE clamps down on fake events

3/2/2006 – Remember the fictitious "Heroes of Chernobyl" tournament we reported on last year? At the time the organisers and FIDE vowed to take stern action against the unfortunate practice of inventing tournaments for the purpose of enhancing ratings or awarding titles. Now they have, with more or less draconian penalties.

Morelia – A Treck to the Volcano

3/1/2006 – Chess is great, especially in Mexico. But there are other things in life that are equally important. Like an outing to a recently formed volcano, which is best reached on horseback. The beauty of the landscape, when viewed from unnecessarily precipitous heights. Or the food, prepared in a simple Mexican rest place. It's all described in our Morelia travel blog.

New chess duel Man vs Machine

3/1/2006 – At the end of November this year classical chess world champion Vladimir Kramnik will take up the challenge of facing a computer program in a six-game match, to be held in the very prestigious Art and Exhibition Hall in Bonn, Germany. Kramnik stands to win one million US dollars if he beats the opponent, Deep Fritz. Press release.

The $16,000 open-to-all chess tournament

2/28/2006 – Would you like to play in a grandmaster tournament? From your home and for a substantial prize fund? With a guarantee that you will not disgrace yourself? Then think about joining the second PAL/CSS Freestyle Chess Tournament, where anything goes. Where computer assistance is not forbidden, but is positively encouraged. Full details.

Life on the Edge

2/28/2006 – "Purists will surely turn away from the Andrew Martin Radio Show this week," writes our Wednesday night Playchess lecturer, who shows us an audacious Anti-Grunfeld weapon, a 1.h4 game, a Leko-Radjabov Sveshnikov from Morelia and a retro puzzle. Come with an open mind.

Chess clocks keep lawyers in check

2/27/2006 – Why didn't someone think of it sooner? Determined to keep a trial short, lawyers in a Vioxx trial are using chess clocks to limit the time they spend arguing each side of a case. Time controls are at around 40 hours. "Lawyers are like gas. We fill up whatever room we're provided," said one of the participating attorneys. They may have found a cure.

Morelia R7: Peter Leko leads at halftime

2/27/2006 – The final round of the first half of the Linares-Morelia Super-GM saw Peter Leko draw Veselin Topalov to retain the lead at halftime. The ambitious Armenian Levon Aronian beat Etienne Bacrot with black to come within striking distance of Leko. The event continues on Friday, March 3rd, in Linares, Spain. Updated analysis and photos.

Morelia R6: Vallejo defeats Topalov

2/26/2006 – Another shock day at the Linares-Morelia Super-GM: FIDE champion Veselin Topalov went down to tail-ender Francisco Vallejo, with the white pieces! Peter Svidler continued his losing streak, this time against Ivanchuk. Peter Leko drew Aronian to climb a full point ahead of the field. Updated with pictures, video and analysis.

The joyous aggression of Misha Tal

2/26/2006 – "My favorite player of all time," says our Playchess lecturer Dennis Monokroussos, "is the Latvian great Mikhail Tal. There is a joy to his chess that is evident to even the casual fan, manifested in an almost feral aggression at the chess board." That is the subject of Dennis' Monday night lecture.

Morelia – Topalov vs the Monarcas

2/25/2006 – Veselin Topalov is not having a good tournament. But as FIDE world champion he has duties, which include attending functions organised by the hosts. On a free day Topalov paid a visit to the Morelia soccer club, played an exhibition game against the goalkeeper, and fired three penalty shots at him. Guess who was good at what.

Morelia – ChessBase goes to the Market

2/25/2006 – The chess is great, we must admit. There is chess all over the town. But much, much more. Like the big market that sells vegetables, spices and animal parts. Your intrepid ChessBase team explored this aspect of Mexican life and, with the help of an expert culinary advisor, has put together a big illustrated report. Tasty but not tasteful.

Morelia R5: Topalov beats Ivanchuk

2/24/2006 – The first win in this event for FIDE champion Veselin Topalov came with the black pieces against veteran Vassily Ivanchuk. Peter Svidler ended his winning streak with a loss to Levon Aronian. This leave Peter Leko on top of the tables with 4/5 points. We bring you a full updated report with pictures, videos and analysis.

FIDE elections: Right Move on the march

2/24/2006 – The "Right Move" election campaign, headed by Bessel Kok, high-profile chess organiser and businessman, is gaining momentum. 18 national federations have declared their support, as has Leo Battesti, who had himself planned to run for the Presidency. If the campaign succeeds the plan is to move the FIDE offices to France.

Digital brains or not?

2/23/2006 – In the latest ChessBase Workshop, our columnist wraps up the year just past and responds to a fairly provocative e-mail which caught his eye. It was in response to the "intelligent mistakes" column, which was closed, but will be reopened briefly for a final reflection. Workshop...

Morelia R4: Topalov implodes, Svidler and Leko skyrocket

2/23/2006 – Reigning FIDE world champion Veselin Topalov is in deep trouble. Today he lost with white against tail-ender Teimour Radjabov, to take his place at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile the two Peters, Leko and Svidler, won their games with sterling 3000+ performances. We bring you a full updated report with pictures, video and annotated games.

Variety is the Spice of Life

2/22/2006 – Andrew Martin's Wednesday night's Playchess lecture, this time at 23:00 GMT/12 midnight CET, features a grab-bag of interesting subjects: Chandler's unusual Anti-Najdorf recipe; a brilliant innovation in the Trompowsky; doing nothing to win, plus a review and puzzle. Be there, don't miss.