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Dissolving in bile?
30.12.2002
– If you are interested in chess problems there are certain books you definitely
should own. Most are unfortunately out of print, but there is one great one,
originally published in 1986, that has just been reprinted. It deals with all
common problem types and illustrates everything with attractive examples.
The author also has the uncanny ability to anticipate the questions the reader
may have. Read all about it in today's
installment of our Christmas puzzle
page.
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Oh my gawd, they're playing chess!
29.12.2002
– Would thousands of people push and shove to catch a glimpse of a chess match
in Times Square? The answer, unfortunately is: they would, if they didn't know
it was a chess match. Mig spoke to them and found out. He brings us a Kasparov-Karpov
recap in brilliant 2D, plus a tournament review and some choice cheapos, in
Mig on Chess
#183.
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The smash hit Fischer-Spassky TV extravaganza
29.12.2002
– The dour presence of Latvian-American chess master Edmar Mednis, the chatty style of Shelby Lyman
(picture), a Harvard-educated sociology teacher – now that was the recipe for TV
history back in 1972. Fred Waitzkin, the author of ''Searching for Bobby Fischer'', writes about an extraordinary chess TV summer that drew millions of viewers, in this New
York Times article.
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Louis the Fat clobbered in Hastings
29.12.2002
– The Normans introduced chess to Hastings – William the Conqueror once broke
a chess board over the head of his nephew, Louis the Fat, having accused him
of cheating. Fortunately this is no longer allowed at Hastings, where the 78th
International Chess Congress is currently taking place (from Dec. 28
to Jan 5).
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Need some help, mate?
29.12.2002
– Chess is all about checkmate, isn't it? The problem is that mates hardly ever
occur in tournament games. It's a shame, because the game of chess contains
a vast treasure-trove of extraordinarily beautiful mating motifs which we normal
human beings would never get to see. That is if it wasn't for a bright idea that came to the great
problem composer Sam Loyd had 140 years ago. Read about it in our Christmas
puzzle section.
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Israeli bank sues Garry Kasparov
28.12.2002
– Garry Kasparov is been sued by the First International Bank of Israel Ltd.
for failing to repay a $1.6 million loan. Apparently the money was secured with
assets of Kasparov's start-up company, Kasparov Chess Online Inc. When the web
site was shut down last week the bank filed suit to bar the closure and prevent
Kasparov from setting up a new competing site. We have no independent confirmation
of this report in the Salt
Lake Tribunal.
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It's getting curiouser and curiouser!
28.12.2002
– When you dip into some the chess problem collections of Dr Karl Fabel you do
feel a lot like Alice in Wonderland. The books contain a wealth of odd, entertaining
and often bizarre chess ideas. We have selected a few for your pleasure in our
Christmas puzzle section (click
the December 28 door). You will need to activate your sense of humour if you
want to enjoy these problems, though.
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The Pariah Chess Club
27.12.2002
– "Chess is a beautiful game, and though amateurs playing fast can occasionally make it sing, we know there are riffs -- magical symphonic combinations -- that we either entirely miss or muck up halfway through." World famous Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer, it turns out, is an enthusiastic amateur chess player who every Monday night goes to the Pariah Chess Club, which admits no one in short pants.
More.
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Welcome to the magic world of chess studies
27.12.2002
– Have you been following the problems on our special Christmas Puzzle section?
Today we present three new studies for you to solve. Nothing atrociously difficult,
just the right level for casual chess players. So pull out your trusty old chessboard
and get to work. In the end you can win a very special prize: copy of Fritz,
signed by one of the world's top players. Click the third window in our puzzle
index.
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2002: The year in technology
26.12.2002
– Every year the New Scientist lists the most important technological developments
of the past twelve months. For 2002 they name unbreakable encryption keys, advances
in nanotube technology, the Great Firewall of China (the government
tried to block Google, but a reverse version called elgooG
broke through the embargo) and number crunching by (a-hem) Deep Fritz in its
match against world champion Vladimir Kramnik as the technological
landmarks of the year.
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Christmas training with GM Dorian Rogozenko
26.12.2002
– The holiday season does not prevent our star trainer from Rumania from holding
his weekly sessions on the Playchess server.
Today at 21:00h German time (3 p.m. NY) he will talk about tactical positions
and how to find practical solutions to these problems. The best way to enjoy
Dorian's lectures is to switch to the Real
3D board of Fritz 8 or Shredder 7, sit back and learn. Entry is free.
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Boxing day puzzles
26.12.2002
– This has nothing to do with the Klitschkos
or with heavyweight champion chess player Lennox
Lewis. No, we refer to some new tasks for you on this fine Boxing
day. The article takes you back twenty years when a crazy Finn and a young
British IM turned your ChessBase author into a chess problem freak. To find out how it all happened click the second door of our Christmas puzzle index.
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