Archive for August 4th, 2009

Apparently there is no single Kramnik game which by its class is considered to stand out from all the others (as is, for example, the case for Kasparov’s famous sacrificial attack against Topalov, Wijk 1999). However, the favourite games by the Russian player sent in to us by readers represent a great variety of important and beautiful victories. This is our lucky winner…

As always, the ORDIX Open at the Chess Classic in Mainz was decided in the final rounds, with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov beating Hikaru Nakamura, USA, in a critical penultimate game. The Azeri grandmaster won the event with a record-breaking ten points from eleven games. Vugar Gashimov, Vladimir Akopian and Arkadij Naiditsch followed with 9.5 points. Illustrated report.

The Politiken Cup has been an annual tradition, as a part of the Copenhagen Chess Festival. This year’s edition, running from July 18-26, served also as the Nordic Chess Championship. GMs Parimarjan Negi and Boris Avruk ultimately emerged victorious in the overall championship, though the locals gave them a run for their money. Annotation by Negi.