Shankland's amazing run continues in American Continental

6/11/2018 – Just like Caruana in Norway, Sam Shankland won his last two games to take sole first place in the American Continental Championship. This was his third tournament victory in a row, an incredible achievement that propelled him to the 27th place in the live ratings list. Diego Flores finished clear second and secured a World Cup ticket. | Pictured: Sam Shankland, Diego Flores and Pablo Salinas | Photos: Uruguayan Chess Federation

Three leaders in American Continental Championship

6/8/2018 – Some of the strongest players from the Americas are battling in Montevideo to get one of four qualification spots to next year's World Cup awarded in the American Continental Championship. Eight of the eleven rounds have elapsed and three players share the lead: Sam Shankland, Neuris Delgado and Diego Flores. The event will run until Sunday. | Photos: Uruguayan Chess Federation

The Botvinnik System in the English opening

The setup for White recommended by Valeri Lilov is solid and easy to play – the thematic moves are almost always the same ones: Nge2, 0-0, Bg5 (or Be3), Nd5, Qd2. Later, according to Black’s setup, things continue with f4 or even Rac1, b4 and play on the queenside. Starting with the classic Botvinnik-Spassky, Leiden 1970, the author describes this universally employable setup in 7 videos (+ intro and conclusion).