Archive for December 11th, 2009

It seems like just last week that he came visiting for the first time, a highly likeable, immensely talented 18-year-old chessplayer. Today Viswanathan Anand turns forty. He has won all worthwhile titles in chess: world championships, chess Oscars, you name it. In our congratulatory report we look back at dozens of memorable articles on the champ. Join us in wishing him a happy birthday!

… in chess is a pawn which has advanced to the sixth rank in the enemy king position, creating all kinds of mate motifs. Here Black had to decide whether he could allow White’s pawn to go to h6 or not.
37…Ra4xe4 in your opinion leads to which result?
A) win for Black;
B) positional draw;
C) win for White.

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

After their games in round two of the London Chess Classic most of the players
once again congregated to the commentary room to explain what had just transpired
to the audience in London and visitors of the Playchess
server. This time it was Nigel Short, David Howell, Vladimir Kramnik, Magnus
Carlsen and Luke McShane who shared their impressions.
Report by John Saunders.

After his first-round loss Vladimir Kramnik is on a winning streak: today he beat Luke McShane with the black pieces. With two wins and one loss he has six points according the “football” scoring system used in London. Magnus Carlsen, who missed a clear win with black against David Howell, has seven points and is in the lead. Giant illustrated report with analysis by John Saunders.

The four-game final of the 2009 World Cup has started, with Israeli GM Boris Gelfand playing a Petroff against Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine. The game ended after 37 moves in a draw. We use the opportunity to show you some of the art on display at the playing venue in Khanty-Mansiysk, and the fascination some people feel for the world cup trophies. Illustrated report.