Coming next week: 1st Geneva Chess Masters

19.6.2013 - Vladimir Kramnik, Hikaru Nakamura, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Judit Polgar – these are some of the stars that will participate in an eight-player rapid chess knock-out event from the 26th to the 30th of June 2013 in the Théâtre Pitoëff in Geneva, Switzerland. Two 25 min + 10 sec games, then two blitz and an armageddon decide who will proceed to the next round. There will be live coverage and commentary.

Dilijan WGP R3: Batchimeg, Stefanova win

19.6.2013 - The lowest seed in the tournament, Batchimeg Tuvshintugs, scored a second consecutive win in round three of the FIDE Gran Prix in Armenia. In spite of a loss in round one the Mongolian WGM stands to gain 12 rating points. Antoaneta Stefanova defeated Tatiana Kosintseva with the black pieces. Nana Dzagnidze leads with 2.5/3 points. Illustrated report with game summaries.

Tal 05: Carlsen beats Anand, Gelfand catches Nakamura

18.6.2013 - Carlsen demolished a very passive Anand. Gelfand played a clean game and punished Morozevich for a dubious opening choice. The other games were drawn. After five rounds, not a single one of the four Russian players have scored a win. Report and GM analysis.

Dilijan WGP R2: four decisive games

18.6.2013 - Let the battles begin – brilliancies, errors and all. In round two Anna Muzychuk, Humpy Koneru, Nana Dzagnidze and Batchimeg Tuvshintugs drew blood against Tatiana Kosintseva, Elina Danielian, Harika Dronavalli and Olga Girya repectively. Dzagnidze leads with 2.0/2, followed by Muzychuk and Humpy with 1.5 points each. Illustrated report with light annotations.

Carlsen and Aronian to play in US Super-GM

17.6.2013 - For the first time, Magnus Carlsen will play a high-profile tournament in the United States. He will be joined by Levon Aronian, and the top two American players, Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, to fight for the Sinquefield Cup. The double round-robin will be held at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) from September 9-15. Press release.

Tal 04: Nakamura hat-tricks and leads

17.6.2013 - Nakamura played a convincing game against Caruana. A novel idea in the Najdorf was unsuccessfully dealt with by the Italian, and now Hikaru jumps to clear first place after losing his first game. Mamedyarov survived Karjakin's extra material and retains second, along with Gelfand who solidly held Anand. GM Analysis, pictures and standings.

Women's Grand Prix starts in Dilijan

17.6.2013 - The second leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix cycle 2013-2014 is taking place from June 16 to 28 2013, with twelve top players, two of them reigning or former Women's World Champions (and nine with full GM titles). After a beautiful opening extravagenza there were two decisive games in the first round, and some interesting missed chances. Big illustrated opening report.

Rombaldoni wins 5th Festival Capo d'Orso

16.6.2013 - It is a wonderfully relaxing tournament in Porto Mannu on the northern tip of Sardinia – and the location is beautifully explored by our roving reporter WGM Alina l'Ami, who also found time to play in the event and finish equal 2nd-3rd. The winner was Italian talent IM Axel Rombaldoni, the Tom Cruise of chess, who achieved his final GM norm. Big pictorial report.