9/8/2003 – As we reported Alexandra Kosteniuk had a telephone date in Amsterdam on Saturday. The world women's vice champion gave the first ever chess simul on cell phone. This was done with the help of special software, which allowed her to play against opponents who were not at the site. Here are some pictures from the event.

9/8/2003 – In a statement issued today Vladimir Kramnik makes a number of points pertaining to his match against Peter Leko: he has broken with the Einstein Group, has not authorised FIDE to negotiate on his behalf (the Buenos Aires plans are "far from reality") and has found a potential sponsor himself. This is what he has to say.

9/7/2003 – Do you know Pixar? They made this Summer's blockbuster about a timid clown fish who takes part in an improbable land-and-sea rescue of his son. Now this cutting-edge animation company has posted a chess film on their web site which you won't want to miss. Geri's Game won an Academy Award for best animated short film.

9/7/2003 – Name the last former US chess champion to be the subject of a lengthy article in a national monthly magazine with eight million readers. If you are thinking of Bobby Fischer in The Atlantic you are wrong. The answer is Jennifer Shahade, who had eight pages in the August, 2003, issue of the prestigious Smithsonian magazine. The author of that article deserves an article himself, so read on

9/6/2003 – Vladimir Kramnik, disillusioned by the failure of FIDE to look after the interests of top professionals, is now urging his colleagues to join a new Association of Chess Professionals (ACP). "It is high time for us to work together and improve conditions in tournaments, which have taken a turn for the worse." Here is some information on the ACP.

9/6/2003 – ...that New York City will host a world-class chess match between Garry Kasparov X3D Fritz. Commissioner Kenneth Podziba, a deputy of NY Mayor Bloomberg, has become quite interested in the Man vs Machine struggle. Just like the rest of the world: a Google search reveals over 6000 articles! Here are the details...

9/5/2003 – France is a leading chess nations – when you consider that 944 players took part in the 78th national championship. The men's and women's sections were won by two young stars, Etienne Bacrot and Sophie Milliet. The event was held in Aix-les-Bains, where great French literature was created. Jean-Michel Péchiné of Europe Echecs tells it all in a beautiful illustrated report.

9/5/2003 – There has been a lot of discussion in the international chess community about the Super-tournament announced for Mumbai in December this year. Many players were sceptical about its prospects, as we reported in a subsequent article. Now the organisers have sent us some clarifications, and the Times of India has added some new information to the pool. The same newpaper also reports on Anand's dissatisfaction with the new FIDE knockout cycle. Here are all the details...

9/3/2003 – A top chess event has just been announced for December in Mumbai. 13 GMs will participate in the category 20 round robin tournament, including (are you holding on?) Kasparov, Karpov, Anand, Kramnik, Leko, Grischuk, Shirov, Svidler, Polgar, Bareev, Adams, Short. Maybe even Ponomariov and Ivanchuk. What a lovely Christmas present...

9/3/2003 – If you want news and gossip, on a weekly basis, the British Telegraph newspaper is a good address. It has three correspondents, GMs Nigel Short and David Norwood, as well as IM-journalist Malcolm Pein. In the past weeks the latter told us about the Staunten Memorial (won by Speelman), while the GMs handled more general subjects. Details...

9/3/2003 – The 2003 U.S. Open is being plagued by rain, which forces the players to pass the time with other activities. Capriati naps and pedicures. Myskina and Likhovtseva play cards, Agassi gets a rubdown. But many players and celebrities are taking up the challenge to play Dmitry Schneider at simultaneous chess. It all there in the world sports press.

9/3/2003 – Yesterday we reported on a Supertournament in Mumbai. After all it was splashed all over the biggest Indian newspapers. Now most of the top players say they know nothing about this event. Even more embarrassing: it turns out our August 27th report on the "Face on Mars" was also flawed. Here is the whole shocking truth.