President's Cup computer vs computer match

6/5/2007 – It starts tomorrow, together with the finals of the Candidates Matches in Elista. The "Ultimate Computer Challenge", sponsored by FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, pits the reigning computer world champion Deep Junior against Deep Fritz, which beat world champion Vladimir Kramnik in 2006. To get in the mood for the machine match here is an article in the Washington Post.

A Turkish report on chess in Greece

6/5/2007 – "Greece is one of the most beautiful countries in the world," says Ali Nihat Yazici, President of the Turkish Chess Federation. "It has a strong chess tradition for 25 years". Ali should know – he is one of the most dynamic organisers in the world today. He writes about the Third World School Championships 2007 and the First International Chess Marketing Seminar in Kallithea. Pictorial report.

Elista Tiebreaks: Shirov, Gelfand, Aronian qualify

6/3/2007 – Alexei Shirov won two games in succession and drew the third against Michael Adams to move into the finals. Boris Gelfand beat Rustam Kasimdzhanov by the same score. Levon Aronian had a much tougher time against the bravest and most exciting player in the field: Magnus the Magnificent Carlsen, whom it took all the skill Lev could muster to beat. Full report with pictures and commentary.

Edward Winter presents: Unsolved Chess Mysteries (7)

6/2/2007 – The chess historian Edward Winter presents another selection of mysteries from Chess Notes. It includes an alleged game by Albert Einstein, the origin of the Trompowsky Opening, the termination of the 1984-85 world championship match, and the Marshall brilliancy which supposedly prompted a shower of gold coins. Readers are invited to join in the hunt for clues.

Elista R06: Bareev, Rublevsky advance, Polgar and Ponomariov out

6/2/2007 – Three players faced “must-win” games to stay alive in the event – only one of them managed it. Shirov beat Adams, to force the match into a playoff, but draws for Rublevsky and Bareev see them through to the second round, at the expense of Ponomariov and Polgar respectively. Magnus Carlsen pulled off a fine trick to hold Levon Aronian and force a playoff. Last chance saloon in Elista.

Kasparov live: Najdorf Vol. 3

6/2/2007 – What do you need to succeed in the Najdorf? Analysis and preparation is one thing of course but creativity and energy over the board is also essential, says Garry Kasparov. No wonder that the Najdorf was one of his most favourite and successful weapons. On his new DVD “Najdorf Vol. 3” you can feel the unique intensity of this great chess genius. Buy it now or read more.

Elista R05: Carlsen strikes back, Grischuk advances

6/1/2007 – After his loss against Levon Aronian 16-year-old Magnus Carlsen bounced back to win today's game and equal the score. Judit Polgar, fighting with her back to the wall, staved off defeat by mating Evgeny Bareev. A solid draw saw Alexander Grischuk through to the second round at the expense of Alexander Malakhov, whilst draws in the other games leave everything to play for tomorrow.

Vladimir Kramnik on the world of chess (Part 2)

6/1/2007 – Why is Veselin Topalov, former FIDE world champion, not playing in the Mexico world championship? Is it fair that if Kramnik does not win it he gets a rematch? Would he accept the winner of Mexico as the new champion? What is the ideal format of a world championship: tournament or match? How many games, what time controls? Kramnik answers in part two of our video interview.

The rest of the game

6/1/2007 – ChessBase has released a flurry of training DVDs, not only on the openings, but on other phases of the game as well. Two of these latter are Rustam Kasimdzhanov's "The Path to Tactical Strength" and Karsten Mueller's "Chess Endgames 3". Get a sneak peek at what's included on these training disks in the latest ChessBase Workshop.

Roman Dzindzichashvili in his prime

5/31/2007 – His name is hard to pronounce (gin-gee-hah-shvi-li is an approximation), and he is mainly engaged in producing books and videos these days. But our Playchess trainer Dennis Monokroussos acquaints us with the style of this top-notch GM with a tactical gem taken from 1973. See you all tonight on the server – Thursday at 9 pm ET!

North Cyprus, where all your wishes are fulfilled

5/31/2007 – Passing through difficult periods of its history, today North Cyprus has become a cultural center, full of legends, museums, castles and churches. The 200,000 people living in the northern part are friendly and hospitable, making you feel that you are part of a big family– like the chess family in Gens Una Sumus. WGM Elena Partac tells us about the Duzkaya international chess tournament.

Nigel Short tops the field at the 2007 Canadian Open

5/31/2007 – Ottawa, the capital of Canada, will host the 44th annual Canadian Open Chess Championship, at the four-star Ottawa Marriott in mid-July. It will be a star-studded, one-section event, with GMs Nigel Short, Vadim Milov and Sergey Tiviakov leading the field, which could top more than 250 players. Apart from chess there are lots of exciting things to see in the region. Reason to attend...

Elista R04: Kamsky and Leko through to the finals

5/31/2007 – Peter Leko won his third straight game to defeat Mikhail Gurevich, whilst Gata Kamsky did the same to Etienne Bacrot. Both are now at 3½:½ and in the next round. Wins for Grischuk and Bareev put them on the brink of match victory, whilst Aronian regained the lead against Carlsen. Adams moved ahead of Shirov after the latter blundered. Six decisive results, on a black day in Elista.

Bulgarian Chess Federation to FIDE: Let Topalov play!

5/30/2007 – Before the world championship match between Veselin Topalov and Vladimir Kramnik in Elista both players signed an agreement that said the loser of that match would not play in the 2007 World Championship in Mexico. That was Topalov, whose federation is now pleading for him to be allowed to participate – as the ninth player in the event. Press release.

China wins Women's Team Championship by two points

5/30/2007 – Their oldest player is 22, they are dedicated, determined and physically extremely fit. Nobody could stop the Chinese team, which took the golden trophy in the World Women's Team Championship in Yekaterinburg with consummate ease. Silver and Bronze went to Russia and Ukraine. Our correspondent from the tournament site, WGM Elmira Mirzoeva, provides a spectacular final report.

Vladimir Kramnik on the world of chess (Part 1)

5/30/2007 – How is his health, has his illness been cured? How does he like married life? What were the problems regarding his participation in the upcoming world championship in Mexico? What happens if he does not win this tournament? Is he sufficiently motivated to try? We have conducted a long video interview with World Champion Vladimir Kramnik and bring you, in multiple parts, his candid answers.

Elista R02: Leko, Kamsky win with black, Bareev beats Polgar

5/29/2007 – Peter Leko and Gata Kamsky both scored important points with the black pieces, while Evgeny Bareev ground out a long win with the white pieces against Judit Polgar. Malakhov came close to taking revenge for his round one defeat by Grischuk, but missed the win. That and the four other games were drawn, three of them after long, tough fights, on a hard day's work in Elista.

Movsesian wins Bosna 2007 in Sarajevo

5/29/2007 – This traditional tournament took place in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo for the 37th time, and starred Morozevich, Short, Timofeev, and Sokolov. The six player round robin was won by fifth seed Sergei Movsesian, an Armenian-Slovakian grandmasters, who led the tournament from the start. Second was local boy Borki Predojevic. Report, pictures and games.

Elista R03: Leko, Kamsky, Carlsen and Rublevsky score

5/29/2007 – Peter Leko beat Mikhail Gurevich in a second consecutive game, Gata Kamsky did the same to France's Etienne Bacrot. Rublevsky beat Ponomarionv with black, Magnus Carlsen struck back against Levon Aronian to equalise their score with a fine white-game win. Judit Polgar failed to win a promising position. Leko and Kamsky have a comfortable lead at the half-way mark. Full report.

Andrew Martin: 'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war'

5/28/2007 – William Shakespeare never fails to attract attention and his famous quote could well apply to our first game this week in our Playchess lecture, which comes to you directly from Hamburg on Wednesday at the ungodly hour of 11:00 a.m. Central European Time, in order not to clash with Yasser Seirawan's commentary on the Candidates in Elista. See you on the server.

Women's Team Championship: China two points ahead

5/27/2007 – The Chinese team seems to be unstoppable. After six rounds they lead the World Women's Team Championship in Yekaterinburg with 11/12 points. They are followed by Russia with 9/12 and Georgia and Ukraine with eight points each. But it is the team from Botswana, with zero points, that seems to be having the most fun. Big illustrated report by WGM Elmira Mirzoeva.

Candidates Matches – the adventure of arriving in Elista

5/27/2007 – The participants of the qualifying event for the World Championship arrived in Elista on Friday, to take part in an openings ceremony, where white and black sheep determined the colours of the first game. It was a fairly adventurous trip involving a mad rush between airports in Moscow, and a minor bus accident in Elista which left the players shaken but not stirred. Big picture report.

Who are the favourites for the Candidates in Elista?

5/27/2007 – There are 16 participants in the first round of play at the Candidates Matches. They range from 16-year-old Magnus Carlsen to 48-year-old Mikhail Gurevich. Who has the best chances, who are the hot favourites? We asked Yasser Seirawan, who will be doing live commentary on the Playchess server. Read his take on the participants, visit his lectures and if necessary make him eat his words.

Elista R01: Aronian, Grischuk draw first blood

5/27/2007 – A great start for Armenian star and top seed Levon Aronian, who was able to take a full point from Norway's Magnus Carlsen with the black pieces. Alexander Grischuk won the other decided game, against compatriot Vladimir Malakhov. Judit Polgar was close to a traumatic first-round loss with white against Evgeny Bareev, but managed to save the day. Illustrated report.