ContentFINALLY IT’S ANAND!
Twice he came close, in 1996 and 2000, when shared first place with Vladimir Kramnik proved not enough. At the 2004 Sparkassen Chess-Meeting a superior Vishy Anand ground down the same Kramnik in the final of the new knock-out format to finally add Dortmund to his ever expanding collection of triumphs. MORO MERCILESS IN BIEL
From the word go Alexander Morozevich made it abundantly clear that he had returned to Biel to repeat his dazzling performance of last year. His fans were not to be disappointed. In spite of the risks that his creative play inevitably entails, the Russian daredevil always remained in control and even in bad positions he never seemed in danger of losing. INTERVIEW: RUSTAM KASIMDZHANOV
In a candid interview the new FIDE World Champion gives his views on his complex position in the chess world and the things that really matter in life. ‘Reading a good book for me has inner value and public relations on the other hand not always. That’s why I have been rather ignoring the second and preferring the first.’ KASIM’S TRIPOLI SECRETS
In a gripping blow-by-blow account Rustam Kasimdzhanov relates how he survived 30 games in seven long rounds to become the new FIDE champ. If there is one secret to his success, he believes it was his readiness all through the event for any result. Any result, including losing. RESPECT, COURTESY AND DEFERENCE
Eager to avenge ‘the horror of recent months’, Nigel Short took part in the Shianjin International Hotel Cup in Taiyuan. The Englishman duly posted a fine victory and reports in glowing words what a pleasure it is to play chess in China. FOREIGN INVASION
The Danish contingent at this year’s Politiken Cup was stronger than ever, but that didn’t stop three foreigners from snatching away the top prizes. AKOBIAN TOPS WORLD OPEN
Nick de Firmian reports on his ‘foray back into the shark-infested world of the American Swiss circuit’. A MASTER WITH NO NAME
Genna Sosonko tells the sorrowful tale of Evgeny Ruban, a master who lost his title and was scratched out of the Soviet chess records. ROWSON’S REVIEWS
Jonathan Rowson is our new book reviewer! FISCHER IN CHAINS
Hans Ree joins chess organisers and players all around the world who have pleaded for Bobby Fischer’s freedom. AMSTERDAM CHESS TOURNAMENT
Jan Timman looked on in admiration as Friso Nijboer dominated the ACT from the first till the last round. JUST CHECKING
Guess what is Sergey Karjakin’s biggest fear? Did they play your opening?In this issue games with the following openings were annotated by world class players: Sicilian
Ramirez Alvarez-Kasimdzhanov, by McShane
Anand-Svidler by Anand
Karjakin-Naiditsch by Naiditsch
Karjakin-Kramnik by Karjakin
Short-Ye Jiangchuan by Short
Anderson-Becerra Rivero by De Firmian
Nijboer-Krasenkow by Timman
Ponomariov-Pelletier by Pelletier
Naiditsch-Svidler by Svidler
Kasimdzhanov-Topalov by Kasimdzhanov French
Short-Lputian by Short
Pelletier-Morozevich by Pelletier Caro-Kann
Ni Hua-Dreev by Short Petroff
Kasimdzhanov-Adams by Kasimdzhanov Ruy Lopez
Anand-Shirov by Timman
Anand-Kramnik by Timman
De Firmian-Beliavsky by De Firmian
Nijboer-Nikolic by Timman
Morozevich-Sasikiran by Morozevich
Sadvakasov-Nielsen by Sadvakasov
Kasimdzhanov-Adams by Kasimdzhanov Slav
Akobian-Wojtkiewicz by De Firmian
Nakamura-Shabalov by De Firmian Queen's Pawn Opening
Ruban-Tukmakov by Sosonko | 
