Kavalek in Huffington: Carlsen and the Grand Prix Attack

3/28/2011 – It has nothing to do with fast cars and checkered flags, but with an opening system Carlsen brought to Monaco. The Grand Prix Attack is a lazy player approach to fighting the Sicilian Defense. It can lead to early knockouts as in Carlson's victory against Veselin Topalov, or getting busted in ten moves, as in Carlsen vs Anand. GM Lubomir Kavalek analyses.

Viktor Korchnoi's 80th Birthday Celebration

3/28/2011 – On Saturday the Schachgesellschaft Zürich celebrated the anniversary of someone who had done more for chess in Switzerland than any other player. Viktor Korchnoi, born on March 23 1931, kicked things off with a clock simul and then attended a gala dinner in his honour. Guests included Mark Taimanov and Garry Kasparov. We bring you a big pictorial report by Frederic Friedel.

London Chess Classic – dates announced for the 2011 event

3/28/2011 – Recent bad news was that London would not host the 2011 World Championship after all. The good news now is: there will be a third Chess Classic in the Olympia Conference Centre, from December 3-12, 2011. The event has an extra player and round, plus an increased prize fund. We are delighted to hear this, as the Classic has become our favourite tournament. Press release and memories.

Pressure on the diagonal a5-d2 ...

3/27/2011 – ... was Black's counterinsurance when he decided to heat up the central tension with the thrust 13...e6-e5 (diagram). Which continuation now leads to an advantageous opening of the position for White? 
A) 14.cxd5
B) 14.dxe5
C) a third pawn move

The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

Bad Wörishofen: chess, art, and relaxation

3/27/2011 – Celebrating its fourth edition, the Bad Woerishofen chess festival attracted 330 players this year, a record. The town became famous through the hydrotherapy techniques of Kneipp, and is now a renowned spa resort area, with numerous outdoor art exhibits, allowing more players to enjoy a rare combination of chess, art, and relaxation. Here is a pictorial report by Sergey Tiviakov.

2011 European Championship: Potkin alone at 5.0/5

3/26/2011 – If after round four, Potkin and Savchenko were the only ones left at 100%, after round five, Potkin followed up his spectacular win in the previous round with an impressive demolition of his rival in 24 moves. Right behind at 4.5/5 are Nisipeaunu, Parligras, and IM Wirig having the tournament of his life. Read about the other surprises in the report, and don't miss Potkin's spectacular wins.

From our CBM Blog – Karsten Müller explains

3/26/2011 – "Do not rush," advises our in-house endgame specialist, GM Karsten Müller. "In opposite colored bishop endings the defender must be able to build the fortress." This was not done by young Anish Giri against the experienced Vladimir Kramnik. Dr Müller also analyses the Carlsen vs Anand rook ending, and shows us how sometimes study-like motifs occur in practical games. Analysis.

Master Moves #8

3/25/2011 – All the deepest plans are useless if you fall victim to a shot that leaves you in a lost position. Likewise, sometimes that superior play will only offer a single window of opportunity to deliver that final blow. All the positions are from the last edition of the wonderful Melody Amber tournament, also the only blindfold event in history. We kindly suggest you *not* try them blindfold!

The Porsche-Kasparov Gambit

3/25/2011 – Chess and cars aren't usually thought of together, except perhaps with the checkered flag, but this Kasparov event on 7 April may change that. First, face Kasparov in a simul or even in a one-on-one blitz game. Then explore one of the greatest sports car collections in the world at the Collier Automotive Museum in Naples, Florida, which is usually closed to the public. Lasker or Daimler?

2011 European Championship: No 2700 in lead

3/25/2011 – Although it is obviously too early to begin speaking of tournament leaders, especially considering that there are no fewer than twelve with 100% still after three rounds, it is nonetheless remarkable that not one of the nine 2700+ players participating belongs to that group. In fact, half the leaders aren't even rated 2600! Report for rounds two and three.

Final round in Monaco starts at 12:30 p.m.

3/24/2011 – We don't want you to miss a minute of it: so for your information on the final day of the 20th Amber Blindfold and Rapid tournament play begins two hours earlier than usual – at 12:30 p.m. CET instead of 14:30. While you are waiting, or in the pauses between the games, you might want to watch commentary by GMs Maurice Ashley and Daniel King in previous rounds. All on Playchess.

Amber 2011: Aronian claims third Amber victory in farewell edition

3/24/2011 – Levon Aronian is the winner of the twentieth and final Amber Tournament. Following earlier wins in 2008 and 2009 this is the third time the Armenian GM claimed first prize. Aronian also won the blindfold competition. The rapid competition was won by Magnus Carlsen, who came second in the overall standings, with World Champion Vishy Anand in third place. Final report with pictures by John Nunn.

Symbolic ...

3/24/2011 – ... or concrete plus - the c-file in the diagram position was definitely in the possession of White. Which assessment is true in your opinion (Black to play, 28...)?
A) +=
B)  =
C) –+

The solution is here, but first ponder over it with a larger version of the diagram.

Amber 2011: Aronian goes into final round with one-point lead

3/24/2011 – In the tenth and penultimate round of the Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament Levon Aronian kept his one-point lead over Magnus Carlsen with a 1½-½ win over Veselin Topalov. Magnus Carlsen defeated Alexander Grischuk 1½-½. With one round to go Aronian has already won the blindfold competition, while Carlsen cannot be caught anymore in the rapid standings. Round ten report.

2011 European Championship: First casualties

3/23/2011 – The 2011 Individual European Championship just started with 172 grandmasters, making it the strongest Swiss open of the year, qualifying 23 players to the 2011 World Cup. This year the Women's event will be held in May in Tbilisi, Georgia, though this hasn't prevented some from playing here as well. As expected, some heads rolled ... even at the very top. First round report.

Amber 2011: Aronian increases lead with win over Kramnik

3/23/2011 – Levon Aronian increased his lead over Magnus Carlsen to one point with a 1½-½ win over Vladimir Kramnik. Carlsen lost one and won one against Vishy Anand. With two rounds to go it is clear that the fight for victory in this 20th farewell edition will be between Aronian and Carlsen, who is one and a half points ahead Anand, Grischuk and Ivanchuk. Round nine report.

Viktor Korchnoi turns eighty

3/23/2011 – One of the defining chess players of our time is the indomitable Viktor Korchnoi. Born on March 23 1931, this chess legend is still going strong, taking part in high level tournaments, travelling and playing like a young man. So what do you think he is doing in his birthday week? Relaxing, reading a good book, sipping port? Then you don't know the man. Biography, pictures and videos.

Magnus Carlsen wins Peer Gynt Prize

3/22/2011 – Magnus Carlsen, the young Norwegian who’s recently ranked as the top chess player in the world, can now add another prize to his growing list of accomplishments. The Norwegian Parliament will bestow upon him the national honor of being named Årets Peer Gynt, the winner of this year’s Peer Gynt Prize. Views and News from Norway.

French Chess Federation suspends players accused of cheating

3/21/2011 – On Saturday the Disciplinary Committee of the French Chess Federation suspended GMs Sebastien Feller, Arnaud Hauchard and IM Cyril Marzolo, finding them “guilty of a violation of sporting ethics” for allegedly cheating during the Chess Olympiad 2010 in Khanty-Mansiysk. The three received suspensions, after evidence was presented, including a detailed description of how it was done.

Amber 2011: Carlsen defeats Kramnik 2-0, closes in on Aronian

3/20/2011 – Levon Aronian is still in the sole lead with a score of 10 points from 14 games. Magnus Carlsen improved his position with a 2-0 win over Vladimir Kramnik and now trails the Armenian grandmaster by half a point. The € 1,000 Game of the Day Prize was awarded for the third time in a row to Vasily Ivanchuk, this time for his rapid win over Alexander Grischuk. Round seven report.

Liquidating to a pawn ending

3/20/2011 – In endgames an especially difficult decision always needs to be taken at the point when there is the opportunity to aim for a simplified position by a further exchange of pieces. This was the case for White in this position, namely whether he had a better chance of achieving a draw in the pawn ending after 52.Rxh3 or in the rook ending after 52.Ra1 Rxh5 53.Ra8. How would you evaluate the two endings and which choice would you have made?

GM Dr. Karsten Müller gives you his analysis on ChessBase Magazine Online.

Amber 2011: Aronian and Carlsen well ahead of the pack

3/20/2011 – After eight rounds Levon Aronian, who today defeated World Champion Vishy Anand 1½-½, remains in the lead. With three rounds to go Magnus Carlsen, who defeated Veselin Topalov by the same score, follows at half a point’s distance. In third place, Vishy Anand and Vasily Ivanchuk, are three points behind. Anish Giri won a nice game against Sergey Karjakin. Round eight report.

Gustafsson's Black repertoire against 1.e4: The Open Games

3/19/2011 – A couple of weeks Dennis Monokroussos raved about the first volume in the series, in which German GM Jan Gustafsson presented a very detailed Marshall Gambit repertoire. It was the best DVD on chess openings he had ever seen. "Vol. 2 doesn't quite live up to that ridiculously high standard, but it's excellent as well and certainly worthwhile for 1.e4 e5 players," Dennis writes. Here is his review.

Amber 2011: Aronian and Anand suffer first defeats

3/18/2011 – Levon Aronian maintained his sole lead in spite of suffering a first loss in this tournament, against Alexander Grischuk. Vassily Ivanchuk defeated the second-placed Vishy Anand, while Magnus Carlsen scored against his "twin" Sergey Karjakin. All of this happened in the rapid chess – all blindfold games were drawn. Aronian is now a point ahead of his nearest rival, Carlsen. Round six report.