NIC’s Café Kramnik Lashes out in Tal Memorial
Exuding vigour, drive and a huge appetite for chess, Vladimir Kramnik swept the field at the second Tal Memorial in Moscow to finish one and a half points clear of runner-up Alexey Shirov. In the process Kramnik won enough rating points to claim first place in the world rankings on the January 2008 list. A detail of minor importance, the Russian asserts, as his mind is all set on the world championship match against Vishy Anand. ‘We are the two best players in the world and everyone is expressing the wish to see this match.’ Ivanchuk Leads Ballroom Blitz
Just like last year the Tal Memorial was followed by a star-studded blitz tournament. A two-day qualifier at the Central Chess Club was followed by the two-day final of the official Blitz World Championship in the opulent Gum department store. Unpredictable Vasily Ivanchuk took the title. Bringing Light into the Heart of Darkness
At the Chess Champions League in Vitoria the participants ‘played for a better world’, raising money for Mbuji-Mayi, one of the poorest regions in Congo. Besides they played in a revolutionary soundproof booth. And Veselin Topalov won. Nakamura’s Grand Tour
American and European players tend to perform under par when they play on the other side of the Ocean. But exceptions exist. On a recent trip to Europe, Hikaru Nakamura posted back-to-back victories in Barcelona and Corsica. Magical Merida
The European Club Cup took place in Kemer, a touristic seaside resort on the Turkish Riviera. In this scenic setting ambitious newcomers Linex Merida won this increasingly popular event. Bu Best in Bilbao Blindfold
Preparing for the prestigious 2008 Grand Slam Final, the ever industrious chess organizers in Bilbao staged an attractive blindfold tournament. Topalov, Polgar and Carlsen were named as clear favourites, but no one could keep up with 21-year-old Bu Xiangzhi. S.O.S.
Jeroen Bosch investigates a startling weapon against the Anti-Berlin. Russia Without Rivals
Drawing only one match and winning the other eight, Russia claimed the European Team Championship in Hersonissos, Greece, by quite a comfortable margin. In a Silent Way
Genna Sosonko delves into the life of Paul Keres, ‘the strongest grandmaster never to become world champion’. Ahmed Adly Junior World Champion
All or nothing at all seems to be the motto of new Junior World Champion Ahmed Adly. In Yerevan, the Egyptian youngster (seeded 21st!) didn’t produce a single draw and sensationally outwitted the favourites with ten wins and three losses. SPICE Invitational
Eugene Perelshteyn from Boston won the SPICE Invitational in Lubbock, Texas, organized by Susan Polgar and Texas Tech University. Oedipus Schmeedipus
Jonathan Rowson expresses his admiration for Paul Hoffman’s new book King’s Gambit. Sharp Practice
The spectre of computer cheating is all around us, be it in reality or only in the imagination. Hans Ree fears both the cheaters and the countermeasures they provoke. Jan Timman: Endgames and Studies Just Checking
Who is Hikaru Nakamura’s favourite player of all time?
Did they play your opening?In this issue games with the following openings were annotated by world class players: Sicilian
Carlsen-Bu Xiangzhi, by Bu Xiangzhi
Bologan-Cheparinov, by Cheparinov Ruy Lopez
Ernst-Wedberg, by Bosch
Carlsen-Fressinet, by Carlsen
Shirov-Carlsen, by Shirov Caro-Kann
Inarkiev-Galkin, by Inarkiev Slav
Mamedyarov-Svidler, by Svidler
Kasimdzhanov-Nakamura, by Nakamura King's Fianchetto
Kramnik-Mamedyarov, by Kramnik King's Indian
Krush-Perelshteyn, by Perelshteyn Nimzo-Indian
Morozevich-Akopian, by Kuzmin Queen's Indian
Topalov-Kasimdzhanov, by Topalov Réti
Krasenkow-Nakamura, by Nakamura
Adly-Melkumian, by Adly
Adly-Laznicka, by Adly
Roiz-Balogh, by Roiz English Opening
Aronian-Sutovsky, by Aronian
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