King Loek speaks.
Julian Hodgson retained British title.
Vladimir Bagirov is remembered by Genna Sosonko.
Ivan Sokolov, one of three winners in Amsterdam.
Alapin's recipe against the Dutch.
| ContentBORIS IS BACK AGAIN!
Faithful to tradition Boris Gelfand came to Polanica Zdroj to end a period of lesser results with a resounding victory. In a fierce struggle he outstripped the ever adventurous Alexey Shirov and contortionist Loek van Wely. A report by Michal Krasenkow. INTERVIEW: LOEK VAN WELY
A few months back Loek van Wely won the Dutch championship. In Polanica Zdroj he fought for first place in category 17 company. An apt moment for a candid talk with King Loek about his image, cars, the Internet, the number one Dutch player and more. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
With the pitiful harvest of one loss and one draw from his first two games reigning champion Julian Hodgson could only hope for a miracle at the 87th British Championship. The miracle took place and everyone looked in wonder at Hodgson'secret weapon: his grandiose Executive Swivel Chair! THE RIGHT ANSWER
Peter Svidler celebrated his debut at the Biel Chess Festival with outright first place. Was it his cool earring that did the trick or his highly productive alliance with the Sicilian? To begin with he gave the right answer when the Biel organizers asked him a question. VLADIMIR BAGIROV: 1936-2000
When he had to undergo cardiac surgery Vladimir Bagirov told Genna Sosonko that the operation was no trifling matter. 'It could be that soon you'll have to put your pen to paper.' The operation was a success, but a few months later Bagirov died of a heart-attack. In his oft-praised empathic and melancholic style Sosonko remembers a dear friend and colleague. LOST BOYS REGAINED
After discontinuing their highly popular summer festival in Antwerp, Lost Boys delighted the Dutch chess community with a similar tournament in Amsterdam. Mikhail Gurevich, Ivan Sokolov and Pavel Tregubov shared first place. IVANCHUK'S ITALIAN RECIPE
Vasily Ivanchuk drew all his games as White and won all his games as Black to come first in Montecatini Terme. SOS: ALAPIN BITES THE DUTCH
Alapin's 2.Qd3 may not refute the Dutch Defence, but in all probability it will annoy and confuse your opponent. SADLER ON BOOKS
Matthew Sadler read two books with barely any long analysis, but plenty of general judgements and human touches. LADIES VS VETERANS
At the Schuhplattler tournament in Munich the ladies, achieved a convincing 27-23 triumph. THREE ADDITIONS
Prompted by new evidence Jan Timman reopens three cases. CHESS NOTES
A new pot-pourri of wondrous facts and findings by Edward Winter. Plus our regular features NIC'S Cafe and Your Move. | 
