New In Chess 2008

A Lone King Wandered Off Bobby Fischer 1943-2008
They’ll Do It Every Time Few if any could have imagined in 1972, when he won the world championship in Reykjavik, that Bobby Fischer would end his life as an Icelandic citizen. Still, who would argue that he could not have dreamed of a better place to spend his final years. Three weeks after the death of the most famous chess champion of all time, Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam visited Reykjavik to speak to the people who generously welcomed the tormented genius in their midst.
A Breathtaking Model As a youngster Jan Timman devoured Bobby Fischer’s My 60 Memorable Games. In fact he did his best to lay his hands on every game of the American, as ‘everything he did was worthwhile’. In the spring of 1990, Timman met Fischer in Brussels. By that time the former champion was more occupied by theories and ideas that blemished his reputation, but when he gave his opinion on chess technical matters he still showed remarkable insight.
Aronian and Carlsen Confirm Special Class The 2008 Corus Chess Tournament celebrated the 70th edition of the world’s premier chess festival with a spectacular field. With seven players from the world’s top 10 the line-up was stronger than ever. In this company top seeds Anand, Kramnik and Topalov seemed to be the odds-on favourites, but after a fortnight of brilliancies and blunders, two representatives of the new guard claimed first prize. Twenty-five-year-old Levon Aronian repeated his success of last year, while 17-year-old Magnus Carlsen became the youngest (co-)winner in the history of Wijk aan Zee. An extensive report including captivating notes to many a memorable game.
Movsesian Moves One Up In a personal account winner Sergei Movsesian relates how he ideally warmed up in the early rounds before he struck with three wins in a row and secured participation in next year’s top group. Nigel Short gives his view on the ‘handshake incident’ in his encounter with Topalov’s second Ivan Cheparinov. And brilliantly annotates his victory on the board, of course.
Fabiano Caruana Plays Con Fuoco The Corus C-group was a festival of fearless and uncompromising battles, with an astonishing 67 per cent of the games having decisive results. A generous contribution to the bloodshed was made by the winner, Fabiano Caruana, who drew two, lost two and won nine.
Chess for Everyone in Gibraltar ‘The English drive on the wrong side of the road, we’re special’, Simen Agdestein was told in the bar of the Caleta Hotel, the playing venue of the 6th Gibraltar Chess Congress. According to our reporter the metaphor goes for the festival as well. Everything about this two-week long festival has a distinct British touch and is certainly special.
My 60 Memorable Fischer-Related Moments Inspired by the famous book with the catchy title, Jonathan Rowson decided to recount the moments in his life where Bobby Fischer was present, through his moves, influence, or conspicuous absence.
A Gambler’s Zest for Life Hooked on Chess, a memoir by Bill Hook, describes the life of a joyous game player. Hans Ree regrets the disappearance of the New York chess scene that was a haven for Hook when he was young.
The Greatest Knight Garry Kasparov pays tribute to his greatest predecessor. ‘Bobby Fischer created a global boom and single-handedly dragged chess into the professional era we live in today.’
Just Checking Guess what’s Fabiano Caruana’s greatest fear?
Did they play your opening? In this issue games with the following openings were annotated by world class players
Sicilian Short-Cheparinov, by Short Anand-Topalov, by Anand Hou Yifan-Movsesian, by Movsesian Ruy Lopez Hou Yifan-Short, by Hou Yifan Leko-Mamedyarov, by Leko Caruana-Negi, by Caruana Italian Game Movsesian-l’Ami, by Movsesian Movsesian-Krasenkow, by Movsesian King's Gambit Moulthun Ly-Mikhalevski, by Agdestein "Franco-Benoni" Van Wely-Topalov, by Van Wely Slav Aronian-Van Wely, by Aronian Radjabov-Anand, by Radjabov Topalov-Kramnik, by Topalov Nimzo-Indian Carlsen-Polgar, by Carlsen Dutch Stefanova-Gurevich, by Agdestein English Opening Nakamura-Efimenko, by Agdestein Kramnik-Carlsen, by Carlsen Bu Xiangzhi-Sulskis, by Bu Xiangzhi Gelfand-Polgar, by Polgar