Psychological warfare and Einstellung effect (1)

2/23/2014 – When confronted with a decision in chess, people are sometimes misled by familiar patterns and motifs, which cause them to miss better solutions. This is known as the "Einstellung" effect, and it has been systematically studied by a team of researchers. Their results have direct implications for practical playing strategy. Part one describes the basic research, including eye-tracking experiments.

Joys of Chess – Selfmate activists

2/22/2014 – The Darwin Awards "honour" people who have improved the human gene pool by removing themselves from it by an involuntary death in a particularly grotesque manner. In chess, where danger is always lurking, there are some remarkable examples of Freud's thanatos (death) drive in action. They are uncovered by Professor Christian Hesse in his very enjoyable book: Joys of Chess.

An Indian Chess Wedding (2)

2/21/2014 – Sagar Shah, rated 2304 with two IM norms, is a regular contributor to our news page. Amruta Mokal, 2041, four WIM norms, will hopefully also write chess stories for us in the future. On February 5th, after over five years of friendship, the two got married. In part one of his pictorial report Sagar gave us the background of the wedding; today he describes the Vedic rituals and the chess tournament.

Computer-resistant chess variants

2/21/2014 – As you know from recent articles, there has been a spate of board games specifically designed to be difficult for computers, making it impossible for them to beat the strongest human players. One such game, Arimaa, has resisted computer assaults for more than a decade. Here is some general advice for anti-computer game inventors, provided by a two-time Arimaa World Champion.

Three winners in Minsk

2/20/2014 – Today would have marked the 90th birthday of the legendary David Bronstein. Arguably the strongest player to have ever lived to not obtain the World Champion title, Bronstein's legacy is unquestionable. He died in Minsk, and this city has held a tournament in his memory. Oleksienko, Fedorchuk and Jobava finished at the top with 7.0/9, but the Georgian edged them out on tiebreaks.

An Indian Chess Wedding (1)

2/20/2014 – It is said that marriages are made in heaven but are celebrated on earth. Two chess players, Sagar Shah, Elo 2304, two IM norms, and Amruta Mokal, Elo 2041, four WIM norms, met in 2008. They were from different religious castes and spoke different languages at home. But they fell in love and two weeks ago tied the knot – in a unique chess-themed marriage. Part one of a spectacular pictorial.

Interviews with Aronian and Nakamura

2/19/2014 – The Zurich Chess Challenge was won by Magnus Carlsen, who was all over the international media. Second and third in this strongest event in the history of chess were Armenian GM Levon Aronian and US GM Hikaru Nakamura, number two and three in the world rankings. On the final day Chess TV's Anna Burtasova interviewed both of them, on a variety of subjects. We bring you videos and transcriptions.

Promotional tour of women chess in Botswana

2/18/2014 – In their ongoing efforts to promote women chess abroad, WOM (FIDE Women Commission) sent WGM Anastasiya Karlovich from her frozen home in Ukraine (-15 C) to a toasty Botswana (+35 C). There she met the Botswana Federation officials, who showed their commitment to developing women chess by being the first nation to create its own Women Commission. A beautiful illustrated report.

Carlsen's secrets: How does he do it? (2)

2/18/2014 – Just two weeks ago Magnus Carlsen won the strongest tournament in the history of the game, the Zurich Chess Challenge 2014, and climbed to Elo 2881 on the rating scale – an all-time record. In our series on this unique chess talent from Norway we look back at his first encounter with the best players in the world – ten years ago as a 13-year-old in Reykjavik. Prepare to be enchanted.

Chess in Rural Ireland (part 2)

2/18/2014 – With the issues of the unusual weather, the picturesque village, the friendly (over-friendly?) people and Alina's new favorite beverage settled, its time to focus on chess. We bring you part two of the Bunratty Chess Festival report in which Gawain Jones was certainly unstoppable with a smashing 5.5/6. Also a couple of interesting videos of the knock out blitz...with beer!

New G-Star RAW campaign has chess theme

2/17/2014 – It is no news that G-Star RAW had renewed their collaboration with Magnus Carlsen for their 2014 clothes line, a decision cemented before he had even become world champion, but what was surprising was the campaign itself. Starring alongside him is model Lily Cole, in a chess match, both over the board, and in a highly stylized representation with great production values. Well worth watching.

Option Chess by Paul Bonham

2/17/2014 – As you know we have been on a search for a chess variant that keeps the game as recognizable as possible yet dramatically weakens the play of even the most optimized computer engine. The goal is to weaken the play of such engines so that they cannot defeat most humans, and won't be able to do so for decades or centuries to come. The latest variant is by a Canadian software engineer.

The Love for Wood - 1979 chess documentary

2/17/2014 – Recently a fascinating Dutch documentary on chess, dating from 1979, surfaced on YouTube, showing in intimate detail the state of chess at the time, and a glimpse into the players’ minds. The protagonists are Jan Timman, Jan Hein Donner, Hans Ree, Max Euwe and more. They answer questions on chess addiction, chess sadism, home preparation, often with exceptionally insightful comments.

Yochanan Afek's Study of the Year 2012

2/16/2014 – The contest, which is organised by the World Federation for Chess Composition, awards the prizes to chess studies that were aesthetically pleasing, that appeal to chess players of various levels and encourage them to pay more attention to the subject. 24 entries were received for 2012, and Israeli composer Jochanan Afek won first prize. Enjoy his work and the top eight studies of the year.

Chess in Rural Ireland (part 1)

2/14/2014 – The never stopping globe trotter Alina l'Ami brings us a new report of a tournament in a slightly unusual place. This time she visits the village of Bunratty in Ireland. With little knowledge of Ireland going to the event she tells us of her story about a beautiful, picturesque village, of friendly people, and her new found love of Guinness Beer!

Looking back at the World Championship in Chennai

2/14/2014 – This dramatic event that took place in south India last November and attracted visitors from all over the world. In the tournament hotel we encountered two chess playing barristers from London, who were clearly enjoying their stay. We asked them to write up their impressions, which they duly did, giving us a picture of the World Championship as experienced by seasoned chess tourists.

Chess movie: Life of a King

2/14/2014 – Hollywood actor Cuba Gooding Jr., who won an Oscar for his performance in Jerry Maguire, is starring in a film about chess. It describes the true life of Eugene Brown who started playing chess during an 18-year incarceration for bank robbery founded a chess club aimed at getting kids off the streets and working towards lives they never believed they were capable of. Inspiring.

Ken Regan's Tandem Pawn Chess

2/13/2014 – "Some years ago Frederic Friedel of ChessBase asked for a game that was reasonably like chess but would give humanity a chance against today's computers," writes IM Ken Regan, Associate Professor at the University of Buffalo, NY. He has produced a new chess variant in which two pawns are strapped together initially. The aim is to make a game that is harder for computers to play.

Pairings for Candidates Tournament Published

2/12/2014 – This event will determine the challenger to World Champion Magnus Carlsen. FIDE has determined the pairings by random draw in its office in Athens, and the stage is now set for the players to prepare their tournament strategies. The order of the opponents can influence on how they play depending on style, color and tournament position. The fight begins in one month.

Moscow Open 2014 attracts over 1700 competitors

2/12/2014 – In previous years, the Moscow Open was almost a prelude to the Aeroflot Open, but with the latter's demise, the Muscovite festival is now the center of attention with an all-star cast. This year drew more than 1700 players from around the world to participate in the myriad chess competitions from opens of all kinds to even chess compositions. Here is an illustrated report by Galina Popova.

'Top quality material at an affordable price'

2/11/2014 – "The new issue of ChessBase Magazine is packed full of all the usual features, from tournament reports to opening surveys, middlegame tactics and endgame strategies, writes reviewer Sean Marsh. He especially appreciated the simplicity of the explanations: No fuss, no attempt to show off – the commentators get straight to the point and the lessons leave a lasting, uncluttered impression.

Chess for Euromaidan

2/11/2014 – In late January tensions between the Ukrainian opposition and President Yanykovych's government increased. This led to the wave of ongoing demonstrations and civil unrest known as Euromaidan that has taken Ukraine by storm. Two chess events have been staged showing their support for the movement. Grandmaster, Euromaidan activist Mikhail Golubev brings us a full report.

Carlsen's secrets: How does he do it? (1)

2/10/2014 – Last November, when Magnus Carlsen won the World Championship match, a well-respected commentator offered some harsh criticism of his playing style, calling it "bloodless and soulless", similar to a computer. We beg to disagree. Magnus success lies in his ability to consistently play accurate moves while maximising the chances for inaccuracy by his opponents. What do you think?

Closing Gala in Gibraltar

2/10/2014 – With the best open of the year coming to an end it was necessary to host a traditional closing gala to celebrate the event. The players were of course eager to receive their prizes and to enjoy some relaxing time together. Mariya Muzychuk won best women's, while Fier and Adams shared best game. Additionally, we bring you commentary of what proved to be the fateful and decisive rapid games.