Indian Chess Federation in turmoil

2/1/2005 – There seems to be a spot of trouble abrewing in the All India Chess Federation. General Secretary Ummer Koya, who is also a FIDE Vice President, has been restrained by the Madras High Court from acting as Secretary of the AICF. The Indian news services are full of it.

Corus 13: Peter Leko wins Wijk aan Zee 2005

1/31/2005 – The most exciting tournament in recent memory ended with a victory for Peter Leko, who added a last "Grand Slam" title to his list. The classical chess vice champion drew his final game, as did his only rival Vishy Anand. Leko finished half a point ahead of the field. Ukraine prodigy Sergey Karjakin won the B Group. Full illustrated report.

Anniversary with fireworks

1/30/2005 – In his Playchess.com lecture Monday night Dennis Monokroussos shows us a wildly entertaining antique game to mark his one year anniversary at Radio ChessBase. Tune in tonight to enjoy the show. This week's game celebrates with fireworks!

Corus 12: Anand wins to narrow gap

1/30/2005 – The world's number two player, Vishy Anand, beat Britian's Michael Adams to come within striking distance of Peter Leko, who is leading in Wijk. Judit Polgar beat Ivan Sokolov and Ruslan Ponomariov Alexander Morozevich. Cricket fans Peter Svidler and Nigel Short (picture) drew their games. Full report..

Corus 11: Leko favourite to win Wijk

1/28/2005 – Peter Leko beat Lazaro Bruzon to take a commanding lead and has become the clear favourite to win the Corus tournament. Peter Svidler and Alexander Morozevich got into an insane battle which ended in a draw. Kramnik pressed very hard against Grischuk, but the latter found a miracle save. Full report.

Corus 10: Topalov blunders, Lucky Loek holds

1/27/2005 – He was winning, the Bulgarian GM Veselin Topalov, when he blundered and gave the full point to his opponent Judit Polgar. Anand was three pawns up against Loek van Wely but was unable to convert this to a full point. Peter Leko held Alexander Morozevich to take the sole lead in Wijk. Here's our full illustrated report.

ChessBase 9 tips

1/26/2005 – What has two eyes, four typing fingers, and a head that's pounding like a jackhammer? ChessBase Workshop columnist Steve Lopez somehow managed to squeeze writing a new article into a hectic holiday week. Included are some ChessBase 9 tips, a few reader comments on previous columns, and another of his boring linguistics lessons. Check it all out in the latest Workshop.

Bobby Fischer applies for Icelandic Citizenship

1/25/2005 – After the Japanese authorities last week refused Fischer's request to be extradited to Iceland the chess legend, who is being held in a Japanese detention facility, has today written to the President of the Icelandic Althingi (picture), applying for Icelandic citizenship. A special law would have to be passed to grant Fischer's request.

Corus 09: Striking with the Albin Counter Gambit

1/25/2005 – For a second day in a row "out-of-form" Alexander Morozevich struck out, this time with the most provocative reply to the Queen's Gambit – the 120-year-old Albin Counter Gambit. Peter Svidler faced the even older Sicilian Rossolimo and beat Grischuk in 57 moves. Peter Leko outplayed Nigel Short and now leads with Topalov. Full report.

Shirov wins Paul Keres Memorial

1/25/2005 – The International Chess Tournament in Tallinn, Estonia, has a tradition that goes back to 1969. In the past it was won by Leonid Stein, Mikhail Tal (five times!) and Paul Keres, who has given it the present-day name. This year Alexei Shirov triumphed (over Anatoly Karpov and Boris Gelfand) and won it for the second year in succession. Illustrated report.

Corus 07: Tense battles, Anand and Svidler win

1/23/2005 – This is a tournament completely to the taste of the spectators. Seven hard-fought games, with Peter Svidler "miniaturing" Loek van Wely, and a third victory in succession by Vishy Anand (with black against Bruzon). The most exciting game was between Ponomariov and Kramnik, which has just ended in a draw. Full illustrated report.

Vladimir Kramnik: A painter simply paints

1/23/2005 – Following his classical chess world championship match and successful defence of his title against Peter Leko in Brissage, Vladimir Kramnik sat down with the editor of New in Chess magazine for an indepth interview. Kramnik spoke candidly and expressed opinions that have become relevant in view of the current situation in world chess. NIC interview.

Corus 08: Short, Morozevich, Topalov win

1/23/2005 – The key game of the day, Anand vs Kramnik, was an interesting 27-move draw. Nigel Short and Alexander Morozevich won with white, Topalov succeeded with black. And there was plenty of action in the other groups. Topalov now has the sole lead, with Leko, Adams and Anand in hot pursuit. Full illustrated report.

Learning from an ooooooold game

1/22/2005 – In his Playchess.com lecture Monday night Dennis Monkroussos shows us an exciting game from the early 1800s, between Louis Charles de la Bourdonnais and Alexander McDonnell. It's a chance to learn something new about the Sicilian Defense...

Bobby Fischer – immigration plans on ice

1/22/2005 – His supporters filed a petition that Fischer might be released from detention in a Tokyo jail and allowed to travel to Iceland, where he has been granted refuge. But Japanese Justice Ministry lawyers said they were not prepared to change Fischer's deportation destination to Iceland, and that he would have to remain in detention. A harsh blow for the chess legend.

ChessBase Database tricks - part two

1/21/2005 – In the last installment of ChessBase Workshop we unearthed a treasure trove of useful new ChessBase 9 features. In the latest edition we've uncovered more of them -- including one that just might knock your socks off. Can you say "mouse rollover"? Strap on your garters and read all about it...

Corus 06: The sands are red in Wijk aan Zee

1/21/2005 – The Dutch holiday resort saw four decided games today in round six. Anand and Kramnik both won their games with white, Topalov and Bruzon were victorious with the black pieces. The Cuban grandmaster was lucky when Morozevich committed a fatal inaccuracy in winning position. Full illustrated report.

Corus 05: Bruzon and Anand win

1/20/2005 – Round five ended with a first win for Cuban grandmaster Lazaro Bruzon (picture), at the cost of a first loss by British GM Nigel Short. Vishy Anand defeated Alexander Morozevich in a very exciting, fighting game. Peter Leko and Vladimir Kramnik continued their Queen's Indian debate from Brissago. Full illustrated report.

FIDE to Kasparov: one more week

1/20/2005 – The world chess organisation has reacted to Garry Kasparov's withdrawal from the reunification cycle, stating that the bank guarantees Kasparov had demanded would have been in place on January 25. It is impossible, says FIDE, to secure high prize funds without the necessary time, and when the participants demand excessive financial guarantees.

Corus 04: Kramnik, Adams, Short win

1/18/2005 – A good day for the Brits: both Michael Adams and Nigel Short won their games, beating Topalov and Morozevich respectively. Vladimir Kramnik also won his game against Ivan Sokolov after the latter lost the thread in the end. The overall drawing statics in Wijk are very positive: this is a fighting tournament.

Kasparov to FIDE: Enough is enough

1/18/2005 – After over two and a half frustrating years and four postponed or cancelled matches, Garry Kasparov announces his exit from the 2005 FIDE world championship. "It is time to reclaim my life," Kasparov said, as he halted negotiations with FIDE over his match with Rustam Kasimdzhanov – after more deadlines had passed. Here is Kasparov's statement.

Taking a closer look at Vishy

1/17/2005 – In his Playchess.com lecture Monday night Dennis Monkroussos appropriatey takes a look at a spectacularly game of last year Wijk aan Zee winner, Vishy Anand. "In it I found one of the most most beautiful variations I have ever seen," writes Dennis. Tune in and be amazed!

Bobby Fischer – six months in jail

1/17/2005 – On July 13, 2004 he was arrested at Narita Airport in Tokyo, for attempting to leave the country on an invalidated. Since then the greatest hero of Western chess has been languishing in a Japanese detention facility, now physically exhausted and suffering from dizzy spells. His Icelandic friends, who are offering him refuge, have launched another appeal to the authorities.

Corus 03: Leko, Ponomariov, Grischuk win

1/17/2005 – Once again there was blood on the sand in Wijk aan Zee, with a second victory in succession for Peter Leko (against Peter Svidler), and wins for Alexander Grischuk against Alexander Morozevich and Ruslan Ponomariov against Ivan Sokolov (both with black). We bring you an updated illustrated report.