#ThrowbackThursday

Picture of chess board, king lying down, a hand moving another piece. Hot off the chess, classic game.

A Couple of Wijk aan Zee Classics

January 12, 2017 John Lee Shaw

Round one of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2017, begins in a couple of days time. To mark the occasion, I thought it would be rather nice to take a look back at last year’s tournament — you know, as if we needed any reminder of the kind of chess that […check it out!]

One From The Archives: M. Muzychuk vs Hou, 2015

March 3, 2016 John Lee Shaw

This week, the FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship gets underway, in Lviv, Ukraine. The defending champion, Mariya Muzychuk of the Ukraine, takes on the challenge of Hou Yifan of China. The word ‘challenge’ is perhaps misleading, as Hou is the former Women’s World Chess Champion, and Muzychuk’s predecessor, who relinquished […check it out!]

One From The Archives: Gunsberg vs Steinitz 1891

February 25, 2016 John Lee Shaw

Isidor Gunsberg (1854-1930) was born in Hungary but later became a British citizen. His chess career began as remote operator to the chess machine ‘Mephisto’. Confirming himself as one of the chess elite at the time, Gunsberg would challenge World Chess Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz for his title. Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900), […check it out!]

One From The Archives: Alekhine vs Lasker, Swiss Championships 1934

February 18, 2016 John Lee Shaw

Hi there! I’m going to start a new feature, to tie in with #ThrowbackThursday on social media — you know, being in with cool stuff like that, and all. Basically, what I am going to do, every Thursday, is post a game from the archives, a classic. I’ll explain a […check it out!]

A Couple of Wijk aan Zee Classics

One From The Archives: M. Muzychuk vs Hou, 2015

One From The Archives: Gunsberg vs Steinitz 1891

One From The Archives: Alekhine vs Lasker, Swiss Championships 1934

Radoslaw Wojtaszek Wins Biel 2020

Tata Steel 2020, Rd 10: Carlsen Wins Again. Caruana Retains Lead After Beating Firouzja

The World Champion stamps some authority in this game, against the player many are tipping to be a future challenger and successor. The other games are drawn, Caruana leads. The Challengers group sees a 3-way tie at the top.

Fabiano outplays Vishy in the endgame to take the point, he leads with Alireza Firouzja on 5.5/8. Artemiev collapses against Carlsen, who notches up a rather comfortable point. Duda and Kovalev also win. Eljanov remains in the lead of the Challengers, which sees 4 games decided.

Tussle of the 'born in the 2000s' goes the way of the Iranian as his American opponent falters. Points also go to Caruana and van Foreest. Vishy Anand survives against Magnus Carlsen. Things largely unchanged in the Challengers as Sarin beats Saduakassova, Eljanov still at the top of the standings.

2018's World Championship rivals, are again not to be separated. Anish Giri recovers his point from round 5, at the cost of Vladislav Kovalev, while Daniil Dubov sees Vladislav Artemiev strategically wanting. The Challengers group sees 3 decided games, Eljanov leads.

Round 5 takes place away from Wijk aan Zee, at the stadium of football team, PSV Einhoven. It sees Firouzja take his 3rd win in 5 games, notching up a performance rating of 2854 so far. Xiong suffers at the hands of Anand. The Challengers group sees 6 of the 7 games decided.

Four at the top as the tournament begins to heat up

World Champion defeats van Wely and is within half a point of Wesley So who still leads.

'Gunsberg's Bluff' ... ?