Tal Memorial R2: Kramnik Loses Again as Nakamura Bounces Back

In the second round of the Tal Memorial, Hikaru Nakamura bounced back from his quick loss. And how! With the black pieces the American grandmaster defeated Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, who thus started with two consecutive losses. Fabiano Caruana, who began his tournament with an splendid win against the World Champion, was on the losing side the next day. In a very theoretical game, the Italian was outplayed by Boris Gelfand of Israel. The other three games ended in draws.

Spectactular Start 8th Tal Memorial

The first round of the 8th Tal Memorial lived up to its expectations, with three decisive games and lots of excitement. The top encounter between Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik, the two players who tied for first at the London Candidates Tournament in March, ended in the Norwegian's favour. Fabiano Caruana, who finished last in the blitz tournament on Wednesday, defeated none other than Viswanathan Anand with the black pieces. And Hikaru Nakamura, the convincing winner of the blitz, lost very quickly against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov!

Tal Memorial Opened; Nakamura Wins the Blitz

The 8th Tal Memorial was opened officially on Wednesday with a brief opening ceremony and a spectacular blitz tournament, won by Hikaru Nakamura (USA). Reigning World ChampionViswanathan Anand (India) and 14th World Champion Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) came second and third, while world number one Magnus Carlsen only managed to score 4.5/9.

Giri-Ivanchuk: Triple Format in Leon

It was a match full of contrasts: the 26th Ciudad de Leon, between Vassily Ivanchuk and Anish Giri. In this experience versus rising star battle, chess was played at three different time controls. Adding to the confusion, Ivanchuk scored the most points, but Giri won the match! Spanish journalist and commentator Leontxo García reports.

Gold for Le Quang Liem at World Blitz

Le Quang Liem won the gold medal at the FIDE World Rapid Championship in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia and took home the first prize of US $40,000. Not bad at all for two days of blitz! But it was far from easy: the players had to go through thirty gruelling rounds and in the end the Vietnamese managed to score just half a point more than three players: Alexander Grischuk(Russia), Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia).

Bobby Fischer, Backwards For Spite

Sousse, 1967, Interzonal Toumament for the World Chess Championship: Fischer is out; Fischer continues playing; Fisher is definitely leaving; Fischer is back; Fiscer is packing; the judge is packing, too; Reshevsky is packing; the Russians are packing to go...

When one day Grandmaster Kavalek strolled into the hotel lounge in the company of an attractive blonde, this is how he explained his conquest to his inquisitive colleagues : “You have to go here and go there. Here in this hotel, there is no one but Fischer.”

Thessaloniki Grand Prix Round 9

Leinier Dominguez was a convincing winner of his clash with Fabiano Caruana in round 9 of the Thessaloniki Grand Prix, earning a share of the lead once more with just two rounds remaining.

The Cuban and his Italian foe had been sharing second place, but despite having the black pieces Dominguez scored a crucial win to pull level with Gata Kamsky who drew with Etienne Bacrot.