Chess
Ex libris
When I first studied chess I thought it was a golden age for chess literature. There were the classics such…
Thud and blunder
The Fidé World Cup, which finished last week in Baku, boasted over $1 million in overall prize money, with $100,000…
Thud and blunder
The Fidé World Cup, which finished last week in Baku, boasted over $1 million in overall prize money, with $100,000…
Black death
Joseph Henry Blackburne was the leading British tournament player towards the end of the 19th century. It could be said…
Black death
Joseph Henry Blackburne was the leading British tournament player towards the end of the 19th century. It could be said…
Homer nods
Paul Morphy, in a strange prefiguration of the later career of Bobby Fischer, was often described as ‘the pride and…
Homer nods
Paul Morphy, in a strange prefiguration of the later career of Bobby Fischer, was often described as ‘the pride and…
Coincidence
My grandmaster colleague James Plaskett has two passions, the pursuit of the mythical giant octopus (ongoing) and a fascination with…
Coincidence
My grandmaster colleague James Plaskett has two passions, the pursuit of the mythical giant octopus (ongoing) and a fascination with…
Grand Tour
This week I conclude my coverage of the St Louis leg of the million dollar Grand Tour. Carlsen-So: Sinquefield…
Grand Tour
This week I conclude my coverage of the St Louis leg of the million dollar Grand Tour. Carlsen-So: Sinquefield Cup,…
Checkmate me in St Louis
The Sinquefield Cup in St Louis, one of the strongest tournaments of all time, has been convincingly won by the…
Checkmate me in St Louis
The Sinquefield Cup in St Louis, one of the strongest tournaments of all time, has been convincingly won by the…
Bête noire
England’s top grandmaster, Michael Adams, exerts a powerful influence over the elite player David Navara. In rating terms Navara and…
Bête noire
England’s top grandmaster, Michael Adams, exerts a powerful influence over the elite player David Navara. In rating terms Navara and…
Piratical
I have never met David Smerdon, the Australian grandmaster and author of Smerdon’s Scandinavian (Everyman Chess). Last week I gave…
Piratical
I have never met David Smerdon, the Australian grandmaster and author of Smerdon’s Scandinavian (Everyman Chess). Last week I gave…
Viking trail
The Australian grandmaster David Smerdon has written a truly exciting book about some of the byways in the Centre Counter…
Viking trail
The Australian grandmaster David Smerdon has written a truly exciting book about some of the byways in the Centre Counter…
Buried treasure
Jonathan Hawkins has emerged as the winner of this year’s British Championship, which finished last week at the University of…
Buried treasure
Jonathan Hawkins has emerged as the winner of this year’s British Championship, which finished last week at the University of…
1 Samuel 18:7
David Howell is on a roll. At the halfway stage of the British Championship he looks set to retain his…
1 Samuel 18:7
David Howell is on a roll. At the halfway stage of the British Championship he looks set to retain his…
Stormy Petroff
Alexander Petroff (1794-1867) is often remembered as the first great Russian chess master. He became the strongest player in Russia…
Stormy Petroff
Alexander Petroff (1794-1867) is often remembered as the first great Russian chess master. He became the strongest player in Russia…
