ContentTOPALOV AND ILLESCAS TOP MADRID
An unflinching final shot of two wins, his trademark these days, brought Veselin Topalov shared first place and the winner's cup on tie-break at the fifth Torneo Magistral de Madrid. Not easily pleased, the Bulgarian star spoke dismissively about his own games. To his mind only Illescas deserved credit for what may safely be called the Spaniard's best performance to date. See for yourself. Both winners contributed to the analysis section! SPEEDSTER KRAMNIK FIRST IN MONTE CARLO
At Joop van Oosterom's annual rapid-blindfold party Vladimir Kramnik managed only third place in the rapid section, but once he closed his eyes there was no stopping him from overall victory. INTERVIEW: MIGUEL ILLESCAS
He's older now, and trying to be wiser. His Madrid success was a good occasion to listen to Spain's number one as he spoke on the Russian chess school, Catalunya, himself and more. NEW YORK, NEW YORK
New York has a special appeal for chess players from the Old World. Michael Adams, winner of the Chess in the Schools tournament, and Loek van Wely, winner of the New York Open, tell their tales of glory. A MEETING IN UTRECHT
Dismayed by the chaos in FIDE, the Dutch chess federation hosted a continental meeting in Utrecht. Jan Timman reports how the opposition is making its voice heard. HANS REE ON THE MAN WHO MAY HAVE INTRODUCED CHESS INTO WESTERN EUROPE
An article by Ricardo Calvo inspired Hans Ree to go to Spain last year in search of the origins of chess in Europe. THE I-FILES
John Fedorowicz describes the joys of cooking a good meal. PLUS: The Charms of Underpromotion, Another Kramnik Victory in Moscow, St Petersburg, Chess City, The Hague: Computers versus Humans by specialist John van der Wiel, and a fresh look at 23 Troitzky Studies. | 
