CONTENTDUBIOUS SYSTEM, DESERVED WINNERS
The European Team Championship in Plovdiv looked like a race that was run long before it even started. Playing with clockwork efficiency the Russian favourites not only beat their rivals, but also the controversial tournament system that had been adopted at the last moment. ANAND RAPID WORLD CHAMPION
In Cap d’Agde the uncrowned king of rapid chess, Vishy Anand, was crowned FIDE rapid world champion. A few days later the new champion gave another demonstration of his special talent in Corsica. KASPAROV-X3D FRITZ: 2-2
Joel Benjamin returned to the New York Athletic Club to see Kasparov in virtual reality. And again Man failed to beat The Machine. FOUR-WAY TIE IN SKANDERBORG INTERVIEW: ALEX SHABALOV
When he emigrated to the United States back in 1992, Alex Shabalov quickly discovered that winning is much more important than not losing. ‘Shaba’ was educated according to the precepts of the legendary Soviet School of Chess, but in a frank and lively talk with Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam the US champion explains why he firmly believes that his new home is the best chess country in the world. CHESS BEHIND THE CHAPATTI CURTAIN
Within ten years from now India hopes to boast one hundred grandmasters. However, the success of this ‘Vision 2012’ partly depends on the willingness of foreign GMs to play in Indian tournaments. If you ask Jonathan Rowson... SAME WINNERS, NEW STORY
Nick de Firmian reports on the second Milk Tournament in the peaceful Icelandic village of Selfoss. Various new players were invited but Predrag Nikolic and Ivan Sokolov won again. YAKOV NEISHTADT AT 80
Genna Sosonko portrays a man whose eventful life can best be summarized by the final lines of Gogol’s The Nose: ‘Such things happen in this world; rarely, but they do.’ S.O.S.: THE STONEWARE DEFENCE (HUH?) SADLER ON BOOKS WAVE OF THE FUTURE
Hans Ree watched Iepe the Joker beat Luis the Lawyer in the first chess-boxing world championship bout and saw the shape of things to come. CURAÇAO
Jan Timman presents highlights from the Curaçao tournament won by Boris Gulko. JUST CHECKING
Guess what Jaan Ehlvest most appreciates in a person?
Did they play your opening?In this issue games with the following openings were annotated by world class players: Sicilian
Akshay Ray Kore-Rowson, by Rowson
Anand-Kramnik, by Anand
Smirin-Markowski, by Smirin
Fressinet-Bologan, by Bologan
Grischuk-Sutovsky, by Grischuk Caro-Kann
Svidler-Shirov, by Svidler Scandinavian Defence
Ponomariov-Papaioannou, by Ponomariov Petroff
Rowson-Das, by Rowson Ruy Lopez
X3D Fritz-Kasparov, by Benjamin
De Firmian-Sokolov, by De Firmian Italian Game
Rowson-Sokolov, by Sokolov
Jobava-Grischuk, by Bosch
Nielsen-Short, by Nielsen Bird Opening
Danielsen-Pokorna, by De Firmian Queen's Gambit Declined
Hansen-Short, by Short
Malakhov-Thorhallsson, by De Firmian
Gelfand-Graf, by Gelfand Slav
Gulko-Shabalov, by Gulko
Nikolic-Fressinet, by De Firmian
Kasparov-X3D Fritz, by Benjamin
Beliavsky-Acs, by Beliavsky
Kasparov-X3D Fritz, by Benjamin Queen's Gambit Accepted
Bareev-Azmaiparashvili, by Azmaiparashvili
X3D Fritz-Kasparov, by Benjamin
Sasikiran-Hansen, by Hansen Nimzo-Indian
Ehlvest-Malmdin, by Timman Queen's Indian
Ivanchuk-Sadvakasov, by Sadvakasov Queen's Pawn Opening
Lautier-Anand, by Anand
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