Choosing the best in the US

12/24/2003 – In December, 2004 the best chess players in the country will be heading to San Diego, for the US Championship. Last year’s winners, Alexander Shabalov and Anna Hahn may have some interesting challengers. Susan Grumer reports...

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

12/24/2003 – "...my friends had all gone, Not a chess piece was stirring, I stifled a yawn." But then, suddenly, eight ghostly GMs appear, and out in the sky a voice calls through the gloom "Happy Christmas, keep studying, you might improve soon." Christopher Willard of Montreal, Canada, sent us this Christmas Eve poem.

Christmas dinner on a train – meet the ChessBase team

12/23/2003 – Once a year the ChessBase staff take a break for a traditional Christmas get-together and dinner. Normally this is at a restaurant with has a "Kegelbahn" (a German version of bowling). But this time we took a train ride around Hamburg. Here's a pictorial report you can use to get to know the ChessBase team.

Two new CDs: The Gruenfeld and The Colle System

12/23/2003 – No matter whether you're looking to try a new opening as Black or as White, we have you covered with two new CD releases: The Gruenfeld and The Colle System. Take a look at what you can expect to find on both of these CDs in this week's ChessBase Workshop.

David Levy on Kasparov vs X3D Fritz

12/21/2003 – "The games of the match have been thoroughly dissected and analysed by human players and computers far stronger than I am," writes computer chess guru David Levy. His impressions of the match are of a far more general nature. David talks about the openings (3.5:0.5 for Kasparov), the middlegame and the X3D environment. Levy's report and links...

David Norwood's Christmas Quiz

12/21/2003 – It's the time of year when Telegraph columnist David Norwood likes to test the chess knowledge of his readers. There are 20 questions, mainly relating to chess trivia, but some require thought and research. At least you have plenty of time to finish your turkey and Christmas pudding before you check your results. Here's the Telegraph quiz.

A dollar a game on Tamerlane square

12/20/2003 – In the TV game Uzbekistan + ChessBase vs GM Saidali Yuldashev the latter has unleashed an eagerly awaited novelty. The organisers report that the Grandmaster is receiving his first marriage proposals (even before the novelty!). Sorry, ladies, Saidali is already taken and has three children. So, please, let's concentrate on the game.

The Pirc Defence – a cult CD?

12/19/2003 – According to our reviewer Aleksei Lugovoi’s CD deserves a special praise. "When you learn a particular line, you are immediately challenged: ideas begin with illustrative diagrams, followed by texts and an immediate brainstorm therein. This method, I believe will pioneer the next-generation training CDs..." Read about it in Aryan's testimony II.

It's all about Anand

12/19/2003 – Vishy Anand is in the news – in India. The national superstar is doing a promotional trip for the IT technology company NIIT. And the newspapers are full of it. Anand talks about his current chess success, chess in schools and his upcoming autobiography, which "will not be scandalous". Read all about it in these Indian news articles.

Caught on video: Kasparov in New York and Denmark

12/18/2003 – Have you tried the Chess Media System on our Playchess.com server? If you go there now you will find almost 100 minutes of video footage starring Garry Kasparov. This includes analysis of his games against X3D Fritz and a recent press conference in Denmark. Here is a report, including instructions on how to view the videos.

Joel Lautier, frankly speaking

12/18/2003 – After the GMA and PCA it's now the Association of Chess Professionals (ACP) that is trying to improve the lot of professional chess players. Founding member Joel Lautier speaks out extensively on the goals and aspirations of the new organisation. The top French GM is highly critical of FIDE, but does not see the ACP taking over their role. We bring you excerpts and links.

Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu – a modern-day Tal?

12/18/2003 – He is number 25 in the world rankings, but less famous than many GMs behind him. Unjustly so, says our Playchess trainer GM Dorian Rogozenko. "Liviu-Dieter is one of the most imaginative and creative modern players, some of his games can be compared with Tal's greatest achievements." More about this player in Rogozenko's lecture.

The new CD Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual

12/17/2003 – In this week's ChessBase Workshop, we take a peek at the contents of the new CD Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual and, more importantly, try to help you determine if this Manual is the right thing for you. Read more...

Chess in the stadium – the new face of the Bundesliga

12/15/2003 – The German "Bundesliga" (state team championship) is one of the strongest leagues in the world, attracting a lot of foreign mercenaries to do battle for national teams. On Sunday we visited the round that was held in Bremen, in a football stadium, no less. The main attraction was not Anand or Shirov, but a lady named Almira.

Kasparov: Russia is turning into a police state

12/14/2003 – On a trip to Denmark Garry Kasparov gave a no-holds-barred interview to DR TV. "Putin was a KGB officer who believes the country needs if not a dictatorship at least a very strong hand, an iron fist," says Kasparov, who also hints that he may soon be playing "a certain role" in Russian politics himself. Here's the interview and a partial transcript.

Top 10 reasons to play 1.h3

12/13/2003 – Toqatni tagi rohat – under patience lies bliss, but in the TV match Uzbekistan + ChessBase vs GM Saidali Yuldashev there is a novelty in the air. Jamshid Begmatov recapitulates the rules of this TV + Internet match, and also quotes many interesting messages he has received. One introduces us to the virtues of an unusual opening.

The new ChessBase Opening Encyclopedia 2004 has arrived!

12/11/2003 – In this week's ChessBase Workshop, rip open the shrinkwrap to discover what's included in this 2-CD package and learn some tips for using the database to increase your opening knowledge. Workshop

Time trouble – how to deal with it

12/11/2003 – Time trouble is a permanent headache for a lot of chess players. In spite of efforts to get rid of it, most people are not able to deal properly with the problem. In today's lecture our GM trainer Dorian Rogozenko tells you how to identify your problems with the chess clock and how to deal with them most effectively. Details...

Ten years in ten days – the Kasparov effect

12/10/2003 – In 1993 a young teenager switched on her TV set and caught a glimpse of two men engaged in a struggle. It was the world chess championship between Garry Kasparov and Nigel Short. With that began a ten-year fascination, which culminated in a ten-day visit to New York in November. Here is a very personal story by Joanne Pittaway.

A comprehensive database of chess literature

12/9/2003 – On July 11 this year Kenneth Whyld, one of the great chess historians, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 77. Now a special association has been formed, bearing his name. Its goal: to create a comprehensive bibliographical database recording the entirety of chess literature. Chess friends all over the world are asked to contribute to the success of the Ken Whyld Association

PlunderChess – adding a new twist

12/8/2003 – Imagine what would happen if your chessmen could acquire additional moving capabilities as they played? What if your queen could move as a queen or a knight and your pawn could move as a pawn or a bishop? How about escaping check by letting your king move as a rook? All this is part of a new variant of the game of chess. Introducing: PlunderChess

Wedding beauties and chess in Samarkand

12/7/2003 – The game beween the Uzbek champion Saidali Yuldashev and the TV audience + ChessBase.com is entering a critical phase. The GM said that he had not expected such precise play from his opponent. Meanwhile young Khourshid from Samarkand has taken his bride, and our trusty reporter Jamshid Begmatov sent us pictures of the festive event.

You thought we were making it up?

12/5/2003 – "Is it April 1st?", a number of readers asked. Chess boxing? Putting players in a boxing ring for chess and boxing? The crowd screaming for blood and piece sacrifices? Our recent report described the setup, now the organisers have sent us a report and pictures to prove that they are really serious about this new discipline.

Alejandro Ramirez, 15, grandmaster

12/5/2003 – The Dominican Republic Open Tournament ended today with nine players sharing first – amongst them Milov, Nisipeanu and Moiseenko. And also Alejandro Ramirez, who completed his third GM norm to become the first-ever grandmaster in central America. Did we mention that Alejandro is 15 years old and the second-youngest GM in the world?