The two Q's guarantee

2/1/2008 – What novelties are there for your repertoire? What does your next opponent play? In order to get sound and reliable answers here you must have a database that guarantees both quantity and quality. Mega Database 2008 is the number one in this respect. More than 3.8 million games that have been collected and carefully edited for over ten years. Buy it now or read more.

Easter in the East – like to join?

1/31/2008 – We have just celebrated Christmas and the New Year’s. With Lent just around the corner, the Easter weekend (March 23rd) is surely not too far away. How will you be celebrating Easter this year? What about going east this Easter to compete in chess competitions in Australia and Thailand? Read on to find out more on what’s in store in the East, this Easter! Details by Edwin Lam.

The Kalyanam of Sasi and Radhika

1/30/2008 – Let us explain: Kalyanam is Sanskrit and Tamil for wedding. Sasi is grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran, the second strongest player (after you-know-who) in India, the second to cross the 2700 mark. Radhika is the daughter of Suryanarayanan and bravely agreed to wed Sasi. The ceremony took place last Sunday in Chennai, South India. We have pictures.

Alexei Shirov: My Best Games in the Sveshnikov

1/30/2008 – Looking for something sharp? If you like complex positions which require precise and inventive play from both sides, you may want to lean them from the present-day Mihail Tal, grandmaster Alexei Shirov, who like Tal hails from Latvia and is one of the strongest, certainly one of the most imaginative players in the world. His latest DVD is another jewel of chess training.

The great Bu's up – and playing at a 3022 level!

1/30/2008 – Bu Xiangzhi of China is 22 years old. He became a grandmaster when he was 13 years, 10 months, 13 days old – which made him the youngest GM in history (at the time). After eight rounds of the 6th Gibtel Chess Festival in Gibraltar Bu is leading with 7½/8, and a Elo 3022 performance. Which led BCM editor John Saunders to come up with one of the most atrocious puns in chess history.

Bobby Fischer at the Second Piatigorsky

1/30/2008 – In 1966 the great players in chess were Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky and Bent Larsen. At the Second Piatigorsky Cup in Santa Monica, California, the young Bobby Fischer started with a dismal 3½-5½, against themse players. But then he demonstrated his coming greatness by catching up with a 6½/7 run. Our Playchess.com lecturer Dennis Monokroussos looks at this memorable event.

Players and personalities – photo report by Fred Lucas

1/29/2008 – "My relation with chess is simple," he says. "I'm a photographer who is very fond of the game, loves the atmosphere at tournaments – and I love to make pictures, especially with available light." As the official photographer once again in Wijk aan Zee Fred Lucas has documented the tournament with his extraordinary work. We bring you a selection in this amazing pictorial.

Wijk final round: an exciting farewell

1/28/2008 – The players chose a nice way to say farewell to the spectators: almost all the games were hard fought, two of them were decided. The two leaders drew their games after prolonged and balanced fights. Anand obtained a promising attack against Kramnik's Petroff but failed to take advantage of the favourable situation and had to content himself with a draw in 61 moves. GM Mihail Marin annotates.

'Fischer and Miyoko were indeed married'

1/27/2008 – Did Bobby Fischer marry the president of the Japan Chess Association, Miyoko Watai, with whom he lived for some years in Japan? This question moves out of the gossip columns and requires serious investigation as questions are raised in the press about the legality of Fischer's "secret burial" – and the fate of his estate, estimated at about £1.5 million. We have received a letter from a close associate.

Wijk round twelve: an enormously complex ending

1/27/2008 – Normally chess commentary tells us which were the key moments in a game, which the mistakes and why one player won or was able to hold a draw. But when you are dealing with a great player like Judit Polgar and a full blooded chess trainer like GM Mihail Marin it can easily be turned into a chess lesson. Here is one installment you cannot afford to miss. Take notes while you read.

Wijk R13: Aronian, Carlsen win Wijk aan Zee 2008

1/27/2008 – Both the leading players, Levon Aronian and Magnus Carlsen, drew their games and are joint winners of the tournament, half a point ahead of the field. Behind them Anand in third and Radjabov in fourth. In the B Group it was Movsesian ahead of Short and Bacrot, and in the C Group young Fabiano Caruna two full points ahead of everyone else. Express report.

Outsmart the Guards, Capture the Flag

1/26/2008 – Igor Sukhin is a chess teacher with a method. The author of around 100 books – from chess to crosswords to mathematical puzzles – totalling around 1.3 million copies in sales, has developed special methods for teaching children the game. Especially 4-6-year-olds, for whom the study of chess dramatically improves their grades in school. Bisik-Bisik by Edwin Lam.

Marin on Wijk round eleven: the most spectacular so far

1/26/2008 – This round brought us sharp attacks, unexpected blunders and four decisive games – the record for this year's Wijk aan Zee. The hero of the day was Magnus Carlsen, who built up a super-sharp attack against Anand's Scheveningen Sicilian, but missed a good chance and then a sure draw, succumbing to the World Champion's superb defence. GM commentary and videos.

Wijk R12: Carlsen beats Kramnik with black, Eljanov beats Topalov

1/26/2008 – We need to say that again: Magnus Carlsen, 17 years young, beat former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik with the black pieces. Veselin Topalov came a cropper against Pavel Eljanov in a Modern Benoni. Michael Adams was outplayed by Judit Polgar, who had the black side of a Petroff. Movsesian and Caruana lead groups B and C by a full point. Express report.

Bobby Fischer – his final weeks

1/25/2008 – One of the greatest chess legends, the eleventh world champion Robert Bobby Fischer, passed on January 17, 2008. The cause of death was renal failure. He was quietly buried by his closest friends at a cemetery in the countryside he loved. Controversy is arising due to the secrecy of the burial, but we are convinced it was conducted according to his personal wishes. Report and tributes.

Wijk R11: Anand beats Magnus Carlsen, Aronian leads

1/25/2008 – It was like the irresistible force meeting the immovable object: young Magnus Carlsenthrew everything into a kingside attack that looked quite overwhelming; while Vishy Anand defended calmly and took the full point. In the B Group Nigel Short has advanced to second place, in the C Group Fabiano Caruana is a full point ahead. Nine black wins today, just two for White. Express report.

Wijk round ten: So many wins, so little time...

1/24/2008 – What a way to lose. Loek van Wely got his young opponent Magnus Carlsen into trouble soon after the opening. But then the Dutch grandmaster became confused when he was faced, at each each step, with the uncomfortable task of choosing between several clear wins! He let his advantage slip away completely and then blundered, allowing Carlsen to start a decisive attack. Analysis and video.

Anand elected Indian Sportsperson of the Year 2007

1/24/2008 – World Champion Viswanathan Anand has been nominated Sportsperson of the Year by CNN-IBN, a partnership between Global Broadcast News and Turner International in India. "In his triumph, he brought glory for India and made us proud," the report says, holding Anand responsible for making India a world chess power. CNN-IBN announcement.

Wijk R09: Topalov beats Kramnik, Carlsen blunders

1/23/2008 – The grudge game started without a handshake – or even eye contact. On move twelve Veselin Topalov uncorked a novelty his second Ivan Cheparinov had found three years earlier. With Garry Kasparov watching on Playchess.com his opponent Vladimir Kramnik was unable to resist the pressure and lost. Tournament leader Magnus Carlsen also suffered his first defeat. Express report.

In memoriam: Bobby Fischer's 1956 debut

1/23/2008 – With the passing of the legendary Robert James Fischer, our Playchess lecturer Dennis Monokroussos finds it appropriate to commemorate his great career and contributions to the game. Dennis starts with the game that launched him on the world stage, his win as a 13-year-old over the very strong master Donald Byrne, from the 1956 Rosenwald tournament. Wednesday night, 9 p.m. ET.

Wijk round nine: the tournament spectacular

1/23/2008 – Topalov vs Kramnik in round nine was pure spectacle, with a stunning novelty which had been kept a secret for three years, complicated middlegame fight and mutual missed opportunities. And with a kibitzing Garry Kasparov offering special insights. Adams gradually squeezed van Wely in a static position, managed to win a pawn with a simple trick and then the game. Mihail Marin comments.

Wijk R10: Magnus Carlsen wins, takes sole lead

1/23/2008 – Yesterday the Norwegian was very unlucky to blunder one move before the time control. Today he was in dire time pressure again, and forced to blitz it out against Dutch GM Loek van Wely. But this time Magnus turned a completely lost position into a win, and with it regained the sole lead in this tournament. Ivanchuk beat Eljanov with black. Express report.

Short-Cheparinov handshake game ends 1-0

1/22/2008 – After his opponent had refused to shake hands at the start of their round eight game Nigel Short was awarded the full point by the arbiter. The Appeals Committee decided to give Ivan Cheparinov a chance to repair the damage with an apology, and the game was rescheduled for the free day. Would Nigel accept? In the end he did and proved that 'there is a God, and he is not Bulgarian!'

Bobby Fischer buried in Iceland

1/22/2008 – Chess legend Robert James Fischer, eleventh world champion, was laid to rest in the cemetery of Laugardalur Church outside the town of Selfoss, 60 km south of Reykjavik. Fischer, who died of kidney failure, had requested that only a handful of people be present at the funeral – amongst them Fischer's companion, Miyoko Watai. We bring you the wire reports and a statement by Garry Kasparov.