Speedy development is often worth the investment of a pawn in the opening. Examples include the Smith-Morra Gambit of the Sicilian 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 when White has a very promising initiative for the pawn that often brings dividends. Devotees of this line can become highly attuned to its nuances. If that […]

The 4th tournament of the FIDE Women’s Grand-Prix 2013-2014 is taking place from 7th to 22nd April in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Twelve players will compete in the round robin tournament. The event is organized by the Khanty–Mansi Autonomous Okrug, FIDE, Russian Chess Federation and Ugra Chess Academy. The Women’s Grand-Prix 2013-2014 will give qualification to the [...]

The Championship of Russian Southern Federal District for men concluded this weekend in Astrakhan. The playing field consisted of 42 participants, including two Grandmasters and five International Masters. Grandmaster Anton Demchenko from Novorossiysk emerged convincing winner of the tournament with 8,0/9 points, leaving the second placed GM Alexander Evdokimov (Astrakhan) a full point behind. IM...

Houdini 4 trailing at shared 10th position

Παιδιά παίζουν σκάκι σε ξενοδοχειακή σκακιέρα που βρίσκεται στον “τουριστικό παράδεισο” των Μαλδίβων. Η μικρή νησιωτική χώρα που συναποτελείται από ατόλες στον Ινδικό ωκεανό είναι γνωστός εξωτικός γαμήλιος...

The Veaceslav Cebanenco Memorial is scheduled to take place on 1-2nd April at the Republican Chess and Draughts Club, Sciusev street 111, in Chisinau, Moldova. The Festival will consist of three events: - In the open tournament A (9-round Swiss, FIDE rated) eligible to participate are the players with FIDE ratings 2200 and higher. The [...]

When I lived in Moscow, one of the strongest local masters in the city was Evgeny Dragomaretsky, whose games I frequently witnessed in tournaments held in the Central Chess Club. His excellent technical command, allied to first-rate tactical awareness, made his games very instructive. The following is a favourite example, a veritable textbook on the […]

Η Ελληνική Σκακιστική Ομοσπονδία δημοσίευσε τη συμπληρωματική προκήρυξη για την τελική φάση των Πανελλήνιων Πρωταθλημάτων Μαθητών-Μαθητριών- Ομαδικών και Ατομικών- που θα διεξαχθούν στην Ερέτρια Eύβοιας από 25 έως...

| Με 6 βαθμούς σε 9 αγώνες προηγείται σταθερά ο πρώην παγκόσμιος πρωταθλητής Βισβανάθαν Ανάντ στο τουρνουά των διεκδικητών που διεξάγεται στο Χάντι-Μανσίσκ της Ρωσίας. Ο 9ος γύρος ίσως σταθεί καθοριστικός για την...

The 12th Annual Southern Class Championships will be held from March 28-30, 2014, at the Wyndham Orlando Resort (renovated), 8001 International Drive, Orlando, Florida. The event has 7 sections: Master, Expert, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E. All sections have either 3-day (March 28-30) or 2-day (March 29-30) schedules to [...]

In the battle of two former World Champions Viswanathan Anand defeated Veselin Topalov to single out again on the top after his co-leader Levon Aronian lost to Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Sergey Karjakin scored a second consecutive victory by beating Vladimir Kramnik, while the other two Russians – Dmitry Andreikin and Peter Svidler, split the point. After [...]

It's too soon to say that the Candidates' tournament is finished and Viswanathan Anand is the winner, but round 9 was a huge step in that direction. Anand defeated Veselin Topalov, outplaying him on the white side of a Najdorf Sicilian. Meanwhile, Levon Aronian was outplayed by the resilient Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (if only he had finished off Vladimir Kramnik he'd be right there in the hunt!)...

Revisiting the Steps Method has encouraged me to think again about the best way to teach tactics. Assuming, of course, that our students have developed excellent chessboard vision and understand the basic principle that (other things being equal) Superior Force Wins. Steps is very thorough at outlining every possible tactical idea to win material and […]

I posted about this article yesterday, noting that Google Translate didn't do a fantastic job with the text. There's a much clearer translation of some of the harsher comments over on Susan Polgar's site (HT: Nosh Minwalla), for those who want to see what Vladimir Kramnik will be posting on his bulletin board for motivation next time they play.

Live games with analysis