12.01.2010– The big surprise in round seven was Turkey's 2½-1½ win over Israel (Sutovsky and Rodshtein lost to Yilmaz and Esen). The USA beat Greece with the same score, while Russia drew Armenia. That meant that the US is now in the sole lead, with twelve match points to Russia's eleven. Azerbaijan and India follow with nine match points each. Two rounds to go.
10.01.2010– We single this round and this game in the World Team Championship in Bursa, Turkey, because of its sheer audacity. Hikaru Nakamura of the US, facing the world's number six, Boris Gelfan, with the black pieces, sacrificed a knight on move 23, left his queen hanging to a pawn and won in great style. After six rounds Russia and the US lead. Illustrated report.
09.01.2010– In December we reported in detail on the Third Asian Indoor Games, where teams from 19 countries participated in the chess section. The story was so extensive that we were unable to include all the pictures sent in by our reporter. We bring you these impressions from a location that is a "New Seven Wonders of the World" candidate. Mehrdad Pahlevanzadeh reports.
09.01.2010– "Attention all nerds and former high-school science-club members: finally there is a movie that shares your belief that chess should be a magnet for hot babes and sex." Not our words, but those of the Miami Herald reviewer Rene Rodriguez. This film stars Sandrine Bonnaire and Kevin Kline (in his first French-speaking role), and premiered in Germany on Friday. Trailers.
09.01.2010– This event is held in a four-year cycle, and this year, in spite of the absence of China, it is fielding a dozen players rated 2700 or higher. After four rounds Armenia and USA lead, in match and board points, with Russia, Israel and India tied for 3-5 on match points. You can watch the games on the official site and on Playchess. Illustrated report.