 | ContentKASPAROV SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT IN LINARES
All efforts of the other players paled into insignificance before the power play of the two big K's of the fourteenth Linares tournament, Vladimir Kramnik and, still a clear size bigger, Garry Kasparov. In the final shoot-out, Kramnik, too, had to bow deeply to the World Champion. Like a good wine, Garry Kasparov only seems to get better as he grows older. Seven splendid wins, three draws and one inadvertent loss against Ivanchuk took Kasparov to a new Elo pinnacle of 2820! Linares aficionado Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam reports. Analysis by Kasparov's second Yuri Dokhoian, Vladimir Kramnik, Michael Adams, Veselin Topalov, Judit Polgar, Viswanathan Anand, Vasily Ivanchuk and Alexey Shirov. LAUTIER UNSTOPPABLE IN UBEDA
Fifteen miles down the road Joel Lautier demonstrated an impressive return to good form in the first Ubeda tournament. The Frenchman set a murderous pace to finish one and a half points ahead of runner-up Alexander Beliasvky. Jan Timman, who discovered the beauty and splendour of Ubeda many years ago, was happy to take part in this new initiative of the inimitable Don Luis Rentero, as he describes in a vivid report. Game notes by winner Joel Lautier, Alexander Beliavsky, Alexander Khalifman and, of course, Jan Timman. INTERVIEW: ROBERT HÜBNER
Sixteen years ago an aggrieved and disappointed Robert Hübner turned his back on the press. Their world was not his world. A prolonged period of public silence ensued. Until, much to our pleasure and considerable pride the greatest German chess player of the post-War era did accept our invitation for an interview.
In two lengthy sessions the Cologne grandmaster and papyrologist talked with candour and dedication about his views and passions. A unique interview that was well worth waiting for. A PASSER-BY'S NOTES FROM WIJK AAN ZEE
For two weeks Alex Yermolinsky breathed the special atmosphere of a traditional European round-robin. The US Champion felt like a passer-by, even after he had seriously influenced the fight for first prize by beating local favourite Jeroen Piket in the last round. Piket's downfall cleared the way for Valery Salov to emerge as sole winner. A personal account followed by game notes to the crucial encounters. Plus a special contribution by the world's youngest grandmaster Etienne Bacrot, who excelled in the second Grandmaster Group. PLUS: Opening Theory: Another English Attack (Part 2) by Roberto Cifuentes and Maarten de Zeeuw, Jan Timman on Three Levels of Preparation, and Yochanan Afek remembers Vladimir Liberzon, Israel's first world class player. |
