The implications of this lecture eclipse the pedantry of those who need ever more evidence that playing chess improves the mind (including combating Alzheimer’s). But one must think like a pawn to join the dots, and it sometimes seems that only brilliant minds, such as those of Garry Kasparov, Susan Polgar and Raymond Keene, can […]

The Pyramiden Cup 2015 is taking place from September 3-6, at the Pyramide Hotel*****, in Furth, a city in northern Bavaria, Germany. The event is a 7-round Swiss tournament with tempo of play 90′/ 40 + 15′ + 30″. Top seed is GM Vitaly Kunin (Germany 2563. Tournament website/ Standings and statistics

The 15th Open Heraklion Grand Prix 2015 is taking place from September 1-6, 2015 at the luxurious Hotel Astoria**** in Heraklion, the capital of the island of Crete, Greece. The event is organized by Heraklion OAA, Heraklion Chess Club, Hersonisos Chess Academy, Neas Alikarnassou “Nei Irodotou” Sports Club, Heraklion N.G.C., Anogia Chess Club, Candia Chess Club, Krousonas Chess Club...

   Jacques Delaguerre I’ve thought a lot about your comment a couple of weeks ago that one might as well answer 1. e4 with e5 these days and 1. d4 with d5 because the lines were solid. I’ve followed some of my favorite openings down the rabbit hole and clearly Black is struggling but I […]

The 3rd Annual Sinquefield Cup will surely be a tournament to remember for Levon Aronian who struggled to come back on top (2800+) over the last year. The event took place from August 22 – September 3, 2015, at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL). Aronian was ninth seed in the Grand Chess Tour with [...]

Το σκάκι είναι παιχνίδι για όλες τις ηλικίες. Μπορείς να μάθεις σκάκι σε οποιαδήποτε ηλικία και αντίθετα με πολλά άλλα αθλήματα, δεν θα χρειαστεί ποτέ να εγκαταλείψεις. Η ηλικία δεν είναι παράγοντας σύγκρισης...

Today’s challenge: Find the typical pattern, Morphy to move: Morphy against Duke Karl/ Count Isouard in 1858 Q: Should White win a piece with Qxe6 or is there something more? Hint: The powerful coordination of White’s rook and bishop will help you to find the move. A: The move is 15.Bxd7+, setting up a checkmate […]

The dates for the FIDE Women’s World Championship Match between Mariya Muzychuk and Hou Yifan are set for 1-18th March 2016, TASS reported. The match will be held in Lviv, Ukraine. The Organizing Committee for the match held a meeting on 31st August in Kiev. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Minister of Sports and Youth Igor [...]

The FIDE World Junior and Girls Under-20 Championships are starting tomorrow, September 2, 2015, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The events are 13-round Swiss FIDE tournamentd and Each National Federation has a right to send one (1) player born on or after the 1st of January 1995 for both categories (open and girls), total two (2) hosted players. The FIDE time control [...]

The 17th International Open of Sants, Hostafrancs & La Bordeta was held from August 21-30, in Sants, Barcelona. Polish player GM Kacper Piorun won the 10-round Swiss tournament with 8.5/10 points. Piorun grabbed the first prize of 2,500 EUR, leaving the nearest followers half a point behind. The second place was shared in a seven-way tie by GM [...]

The FIDE World Junior Under-20 Championships is held from September 2 to September 15, 2015, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The event is a 13-round Swiss FIDE tournament and Each National Federation has a right to send one (1) player born on or after the 1st of January 1995. The FIDE time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, [...]

The FIDE World Girls Under-20 Championships is held from September 2 to September 15, 2015, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The event is a 13-round Swiss FIDE tournament and Each National Federation has a right to send one (1) player born on or after the 1st of January 1995. The FIDE time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed [...]

The FIDE World Junior Under-20 Championships is held from September 2 to September 15, 2015, in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The event is a 13-round Swiss FIDE tournament and Each National Federation has a right to send one (1) player born on or after the 1st of January 1995. The FIDE time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, [...]

Crafty to take the place of Alfil for the remainder of the Season

I’m writing this from the lobby of the Sofitel Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The tournament has just finished and at least I remembered how to play a little. Scored 6.5/9 and came 8th. Results. A big congratulations to my friend, Nils Grandelius, who had a great time and won the tournament. A cool $12,000 to […]