Archive for March 3rd, 2010

The cooperation between Garry Kasparov, arguably the greatest chess player in history, and Magnus Carlsen, one of its greatest talents, began early last year. The results came faster than anyone had expected: Magnus was number one in the last two world rankings. Now the work between the two takes a new direction, with Magnus making all career decisions on his own. Press release.

An all-time great of chess, Bent Larsen, was born on March 4th, 1935. He is the greatest chess player of Denmark, and the strongest ever Scandinavian (before Magnus Carlsen). As a world top ten GM he beat many legendary world champions and was greatly feared by the Soviet chess hegemony. Today Bent turns 75. We have some remarkable contemporary and historical pictures.

When former multiple world championship candidates collide what can you expect?
The fun Icelandic Gambit, that’s what. It goes 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 e6 and
is not entirely sound. But as Dennis Monokroussos explains in his Playchess
presentation, if it worked against a player who was once #3 in the world, it
could also work in your local club. 9 p.m. ET Wednesday night.

Okay, the analysis of last week’s endgame set you a pretty hard task. But
since
you are really up to speed on this material, there is an equally hard one
for you
this week.

After 72…Rb4+ (diagram) White had an important decision to take in the
game Romanov-Vescovi:
should he move his king aside to g5, in order to advance his h-pawn as
quickly
as possible, or is perhaps 73.Kh3 the better choice?

Work out both variations – but be warned: there are all sorts of

hidden tricks!

OK, the analysis of last week’s endgame set you a pretty hard task. But
since
you are really up to speed on this material, there is an equally hard one
for you
this week. After 72…Rb4+ White had an important decision to take in the
game Romanov-Vescovi:

should he move his king aside to g5, in order to advance his h-pawn as
quickly
as possible, or is perhaps 73.Kh3 the better choice?

Work out both variations but be warned. There are all sorts of

hidden tricks!

The German Bundesliga is the strongest team championship in the world. Just look at the names: Anand, Svidler, Gashimov, Mamedayrov, Shirov, Adams (playing on board six!). In round ten the champions OSG Baden-Baden faced the ambitious team of Werder Bremen, who snatched a surprise victory to catch the leaders on match points. There are four rounds left to play. Report and games.

The German Bundesliga is the strongest team championship in the world. Just look at the names: Anand, Svidler, Gashimov, Mamedayrov, Shirov, Adams (playing on board six!). In round ten the champions OSG Baden-Baden faced the ambitious team of Werder Bremen, who snatched a surprise victory to catch the leaders on match points. There are four rounds left to play. Report and games.