The Monticelli Trap arises in a variation of the Bogo-Indian Defense and forces black to lose the exchange.

The common move order is:

1. d4 Nf6

2. c4 e6

3. Nf3 Bb4+

4. Bd2 Bxd2+

5. Qxd2 b6

6. g3 Bb7

7. Bg2 O-O

8. Nc3 Ne4

9. Qc2 Nxc3

10. Ng5!

Capablanca famously fell into this trap with black but was nevertheless able to hold a draw.

Eternal Rook is a Russian expression describing a situation where a player can secure a draw by sacrificing a rook via stalemate.

After losing to a Kings Gambit of Spassky in the Mar del plata tournament in 1959, he published the following article, which is regarded as the most read article on an opening.

Quoting the initial paragraph:
“The King's Gambit has lost popularity, but not sympathy.Analysts treat it with kid gloves and seem reluctant to demonstrate an outright refuatation."The Chessplayers Manual" by Gossip and Lipschutz, published in 1874, devotes 237 pages to this gambit without arriving at a conclusion. To this day the opening has been analyzed romantically – not scientifically.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

The Kieninger Trap arises in the Budapest Gambit, it is one of the most often seen traps.

It arises commonly after:

1.d4 Nf6

2.c4 e5!?

3.dxe5 Ng4

4.Bf4 Nc6

5.Nf3 Bb4+

6.Nbd2 Qe7

7.a3 Ngxe5!

8.axb4?? Nd3#!

The French Defense is an old opening. Its name is derived from a correspondence match played between the cities of London and Paris in 1834. Nowadays it is the second most played defense against 1. e4 only behind the Sicilian.

The Poisoned Pawn Variation is an ultra-sharp opening. It is reached by the mainline:

1. e4 e6

2. 2. d4 d5

3. 3. Nc3 Bb4

4. 4. e5 c5

5. 5. a3 Bxc3+

6. 6. bxc3 Ne7

7. 7. Qg4 Qc7

8. 8. Qxg7 Rg8

9. 9. Qxh7 cxd4

10. 10. Ne2 Nbc6

The goal of chess is to mate the opposing King. Seeing mating combinations allows you to severely enhance your tactical game. Stalemate is a very rare occurrence, yet there have been famous examples where a draw is rescued by forcing a stalemate. It should not be underestimated as a defensive resource.

David Ionovich Bronstein February 19, 1924 – December 5, 2006) was a Soviet GM who narrowly missed becoming World Chess Champion in 1951. (It is speculated that he was pressured into throwing the match by the Soviet regime). His creativity at the chessboard, which featured superb tactical understanding, remains legendary to this day.

He did not earn another shot at the World Title after 1951, but won the prestigious Moscow Championships on six occasions and represented the USSR at the Olympiads of 1952, 1954, 1956 and 1958, winning board prizes at each of them, and losing just one of his 49 games in those events.

He is also a highly-regarded chess author.

Initiative becomes more important as the game progresses. A side with initiative is able to manoeuvre more freely and exploit weaknesses in the opponents position. As seen on the study on the principle of 2 weaknesses, 1 advantage is usually not enough to seal the game. Mobility allows to dictate the game and is therefore also a strong psychological weapon.

The Lasker Trap is one of the most aesthetically pleasing traps as it involves the rare under promotion of a pawn into a knight as its crucial point.

It is found in the Albin Counter-gambit, the most common move order is:

1. d4 d5
2. c4 e5
3. dxe5 d4
4. e3? Bb4+
5. Bd2 dxe3!
6. Bxb4?? exf2+
7. Ke2 fxg1=N+!
8. Ke1 Qh4+
9. Kd2 Nc6

Enlarge view

Vassily Ivanchuck is an Ukrainian Grandmaster born in 1969. He won several super tournaments, including Linares, Tilburg and Corus. He was ranked as high as 2^nd in the 90s and as late as 2007.He is known as eccentric and for his unpredictable temperament.

Lazaro Bruzon is a Cuban Grandmaster born in 1982. He was the 2000 World Junior Chess Champion. His peak rating was 2693 in 2011.

A very strong display by Ivanchuck in this recently played game.

The Game on chessgames.com

Rook versus Rook endings are the most common piece endgame. The concept of an active rook is essential in planning a strategy for the endgame. As talked about in the study of files and squares a Rook is very strong in controlling open and semi-open files.

An active Rook can win a game with equal material or draw a game with a pawn down.

The Legal Trap is a Queen sacrifice that leads to a quick mate. The most common move order is seen in the Italian game. It is one of the oldest traps, being documented as early as 1750 in a game of the namesake Sire de Legal against a French player which saw the game:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. Bc4 Bg4?!
4. Nc3 g6
5. Nxe5 Bxd1?
6. Bxf7+ Ke7
7. Nd5#

Enlarge view

Gata Kamsky is an American Grandmaster born in 1974. He jointly won the 1987 Chess Junior Championship in 1987 and 1988.

He won 3 U.S. Championships.

From 1996 to 2004 he stopped competing to focus on his medical and later law degree, after his comeback he achieved his peak rating of 2745.

Boris Gelfand is an Israeli Grandmaster born 1968. He won the Supertournaments of Biel and Wijk an Zee twice (1992,1994).

He recently won the 2011 Canidate Tournament and will play Viswanathan Anand in the 2012 World Championship.

A very complicated and unusual position in a Sicilian.

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The Marshall Trap is a trap in the Petrov's Defense which gives black a winning position.

Entering the endgame King safety becomes less important. With only a few pieces left the King becomes an important attacker. In the most basic endgame King and pawn versus King it boils down to the 3 strategic concepts of opposition, triangulation and the so called Réti manoeuvre.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is a Azerbaijanian Grandmaster born in 1985. He is the current number 9 of the official FIDE Rankings.

Boris Gelfand is an Israeli Grandmaster born 1968. He won the Supertournaments of Biel and Wijk an Zee twice (1992,1994).

He recently won the 2011 Canidate Tournament and will play Viswanathan Anand in the 2012 World Championship.

This game in the semi-final of the 2011 Canidate Tournament saw a very sharp middle-game with inaccuracies on both sides.

The Game on chessgames.com

The Elephant Trap arises in the Queen's Gambit Declined that wins a piece for black.

Bishop versus Knight is the most common minor piece endgame.

A Bishop is considered to be better in 60% of all Bishop vs Knight end games.

The Bishop is very strong when there are pawn isles spread over the board. It is also easier to exploit positional weaknesses with the long range Bishop. The Knight prefers a central outpost and long pawn chains with pawns on same files.

Veselin Topalov is a Bulgarian Grandmaster born in 1975.He played in the FIDE 1998,1999,2000,2002,2004 and finally winning the 2005 tournament scoring 6,5 out of 7 points in the first half of it. In the controversial 2006 reunification match against Kramnik he narrowly lost in tie breaks.

By defeating Gata Kamsky in matchplay 4,5 to 2,5 he gained the right to play Anand in the 2010 World Championship.

He won several super tournaments including Linares, MTL Masters and Corus.

He was ranked number one for 27 months.

Gata Kamsky is an American Grandmaster born in 1974. He jointly won the 1987 Chess Junior Championship in 1987 and 1988.

He won 3 U.S. Championships.

From 1996 to 2004 he stopped competing to focus on his medical and later law degree, after his comeback he achieved his peak rating of 2745.

The first big upset of the 2011 Candidates Tournament saw Kamsky play a brilliant game.

The Game on chessgames.com

The Mortimer Trap is a trap in the Berlin Defense of the Ruy Lopez. It is a real trap as it it plays an inferior move trying to induce a mistake by white. It usually arises from this moves

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bb5 Nf6

4. d3 Ne7

5. Nxe5? c6!

6. Nc4 d6!

7. Ba4 b5

Exchanges are an essential part of chess. While rule of thumbs like exchanging an inactive piece for an active piece hold true in general, it is important to know when to deviate.

Strong positional judgement is required to correctly assert the merit of an exchange.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Julio Bolbochan was an Argentine Grandmaster born in 1920. He won 2 Argentine Championships and represented his country in 7 Olympiads.

He died in 1996.

A great game in a very sharp Sicilian.

The Game on chessgames.com

The Magnus Smith Trap is a very complicated trap in the Sicilian. There are several variations, all are better for white with correct play.

Bobby Fischer did extensive analysis on it.

Domination is a very strong tactical weapon. It occurs when a piece, most often a knight, has many squares left to go to but nevertheless cant avoid being captured or shut out of the game.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Mikhail Tal was a Latvian Grandmaster born in 1936. He won 2 USSR Championships including his first win in 1957 as the youngest player ever. Known for his tactical and sacrificial style, he clinched the rights to play Mikhail Botvinnik for the 1960 World-championship. He won that encounter with brilliant aggressive games and was the youngest World Champion, lost the rematch 1 year later though clearly.

As late as 1979 he was ranked number 2 of the world.

A famous game between two of the strongest players of all time with some very sharp lines.

The Game on chessgames.com

This is a somewhat common double bishop sacrifice that works in many situations.

Advantages can be of temporary or sustainable nature. This study examines how through Grip you supress your opponents chances to improve his position.

Transforming temporary into sustainable advantages is a key component of increasing your strategical assets in a position.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Tigran Petrosian was an Russian Grandmaster and the 9^th World Champion. He won the USSR Championship 4 times and attained 3 candidate tournaments. He gained the right to play Mikhail Botvinnik for World Championship in 1963 and hold it for 6 years.

He gained the nickname of “Iron Tigran” because of his great defensive and prophylactic style.

A very equal and accurate game by both players. After an adjournment is declined by Fischer, Petrosian missteps immediately and Fischer is able to win the game.

The Game on chessgames.com

Before Aaron Nimzowitsch wrote the ground-breaking “Die Praxis meines Systems (My System)” the most important principle of the opening was to occupy the centre.

Hypermodern chess play however evolved , and occupying the centre is now only a part aspect of control of the Central.

Minor pieces exerting control, like a fianchettoed Bishop or a Knight on the 3^rd/6^th Rank, in combination with pawn thrusts are seen as superior today.

In the mid game, Rooks controlling open and semi-open file are a common strategic goal.

The Halosar Trap is a variation in the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. A natural looking pin that apparently prevents white from castling by promising to win the exchange proves to be inferior, as white has a nice combination to threaten mate and gain a huge lead in development and position Its most common move order is:

1. d4 d5
2. e4 dxe4
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. f3 exf3
5. Qxf3 Qxd4
6. Be3 Qb4?!
7. 0-0-0 Bg4?
8. Nb5!!

Enlarge view

Space is an essential resource as it usually allows a better coordination and easier shifting of forces around the board.

Space is gained through pawn movements. Since pawn chains are usually well defended space is most of the times a long lasting advantage which, if played correctly leads to a growing gradual advantage.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

The Pawn Structure is properly the most important aspect of the endgame. Structures can only be judged in relation to the position of the pieces and Kings. Weaknesses such as hanging, isolated, doubled or backward pawns are often traded in for each other.

Creating passed pawns is a common tactical and strategic topic

Boris Spassky is a Russian Grandmaster and former World Champion, born in 1937. He is currently living in France. In his youth he won the World Junior Chess Championship. He won his first USSR Championship in 1961 and gained the right to challenge Tigran Petrosian in the 1966 World Championship match, which he lost narrowly. 3 years later he again had the chance to play Petrosian for the title and beat him 12,5 to 10,5.

He lost the title in widely publicized “match of the century” to Fischer.

Mikhail Tal was a Latvian Grandmaster born in 1936. He won 2 USSR Championships including his first win in 1957 as the youngest player ever. Known for his tactical and sacrificial style, he clinched the rights to play Mikhail Botvinnik for the 1960 World-championship. He won that encounter with brilliant aggressive games and was the youngest World Champion, lost the rematch 1 year later though clearly.

As late as 1979 he was ranked number 2 of the world.

A great game by Tal who won the 1979 Montreal Brilliancy with this game.

The Game on chessgames.com

Evaluating the merits of two advantages is another crucial skill for a chess player, particularly for the endgame.

With many endgame situations completely analysed by hash tables, simplification into such a variation can often be a part to victory.

It requires a lot of theoretical knowledge to judge advantages correctly.

Enlarge view

Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 1991 World Under 18 Championship and was the Russian national champion in 1990.

Without qualifying (he was picked by the titleholder) for the 2000 World Chess Championship against his mentor Garry Kasparov, he was able to win the title of World Champion with 8,5 to 6,5.

Defending his title against Peter Leko in 2004 and Veselin Topalov in 2006, he eventually lost it in the 2007 held super tournament. He lost the 2008 World Chess Championship against Anand with 4,5 to 6.

He is known for his very strong, solid defense.

He was the highest rated player in the world as early as 1996.

Jaan Ehlvest is an Estonian Grandmaster born in 1962. He won the 1980 Russian Junior Championship and was as high ranked as fifth in 1991.

A great miniature by Kramnik who wins in 25 moves with a great knight sacrifice.

The Game on chessgames.com

The seventh study intensifies the principles of temporary and sustainable advantages. There is no need to hurry if your opponent is unable to improve his position,

Jan Timman is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1951. He won 9 Dutch Championships and played Karpov for the 1993 FIDE Championship, losing 6-2 with 13 draws.

Ljubomir Ljubojevic is a Serbian Grandmaster born in 1950. He won the Yugoslav Championship 1977 (jointly) and 1982.

He played in 12 Chess Olympiads.

He was ranked as high as 3^rd in 1983.

A great attack by Timman with a very strong exchange-sacrifice in the Sicilian Poisoned Pawn Variation.

Opponents are frequently able to hold a draw if their position has only 1 weakness. The defending player has many resources like the Blockade or Kings opposition to prevent the breakthrough.

If however the attacking player is able to create a second, preferably at the other side of the board, weakness he has good chances to win.

Alexei Federov is a Belarusian Grandmaster born In 1972. He won 4 Belarusian Championships and participated in 7 Chess Olympiads.

Alexei Shirov is a Spanish Grandmaster, born 1972 in Latvia. He became the World Under 16 Champion in 1988 and achieved the Grandmaster title with 20 years.

In 1998 he defeated Kramnik in a 10 match game to gain the right to challenge reigning champion Garry Kasparov, yet funding of the match eventually fell through.

His peak rating was 2755.

A great miniature from Shirov in which he sacrifices a knight to destroy Fedorov's King's Gambit.

The Game on chessgames.com

Having the bishop pair is an advantage in most endgame situations. The Bishop pair increases its value the more open the game is. Good Bishops on a long diagonal with a lot of scope get additionally stronger when their counterparts on the other side of the board are missing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSVfn_1BPrs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_qh52mrzgY

Hugo Spangenberg is an Argentine Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the Argentine Championship in 1993 and played 3 Olympiads for his country.

Lubomir Ftacnik is a Slovak Grandmaster born in 1957. He won 4 Czechoslovakian Championships.

An incredible sharp game with countless variations and an incredible finish.

The Game on chessgames.com

Vassily Ivanchuck is an Ukrainian Grandmaster born in 1969. He won several super tournaments, including Linares, Tilburg and Corus. He was ranked as high as 2^nd in the 90s and as late as 2007.He is known as eccentric and for his unpredictable temperament.

Istvan Csom is a Hungarian Grandmaster born in 1940. He won 2 Hungarian Championships.

In a sharp Nimzo-Indian we see 3 queens on the board. A very complicated lesser known game.

The Game on chessgames.com

Mikhail Tal was a Latvian Grandmaster born in 1936. He won 2 USSR Championships including his first win in 1957 as the youngest player ever. Known for his tactical and sacrificial style, he clinched the rights to play Mikhail Botvinnik for the 1960 World-championship. He won that encounter with brilliant aggressive games and was the youngest World Champion, lost the rematch 1 year later though clearly.

As late as 1979 he was ranked number 2 of the world.

John van der Wiel is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1959. He won the Dutch Championship in 1986 and participated in 3 Chess Olympiads.

His peak rating was 2590.

The game sees Tal playing like Tal in a brilliant miniature.

The Game on chessgames.com

Alexei Shirov is a Spanish Grandmaster, born 1972 in Latvia. He became the World Under 16 Champion in 1988 and achieved the Grandmaster title with 20 years.

In 1998 he defeated Kramnik in a 10 match game to gain the right to challenge reigning champion Garry Kasparov, yet funding of the match eventually fell through.

His peak rating was 2755.

Veselin Topalov is a Bulgarian Grandmaster born in 1975.He played in the FIDE 1998,1999,2000,2002,2004 and finally winning the 2005 tournament scoring 6,5 out of 7 points in the first half of it. In the controversial 2006 reunification match against Kramnik he narrowly lost in tie breaks.

By defeating Gata Kamsky in matchplay 4,5 to 2,5 he gained the right to play Anand in the 2010 World Championship.

He won several super tournaments including Linares, MTL Masters and Corus.

He was ranked number one for 27 months.

A razor-sharp miniature featuring the Perenyi attack in the Sicilian Scheveningen.

The Game on chessgames.com

Peter Svidler is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1976. He won 5 Russsian Championship. His Peak rating was 2765 in 2006.

Loek van Wely is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1972. He won 6 consecutive Dutch Championships starting in 2000. He worked as a second for Vladimir Kramnik and reached his peak rating of 2714 in 2001.

A brilliant miniature by Svidler. He win in 20 moves in a closed Sicilian.

The Game on chessgames.com

Yasser Seirawan is an American Grandmaster born in 1960. He won 4 U.S. Championships and won the 1979 World Junior Chess Championship.

Nigel Short is an English Grandmaster born in 1965. He was a prodigy, defeating Korchnoi at the age of 10 at a simultan event. He tied for first in the British Championship when he was 14.

He defeated Anatoli Karpov and Jan Timman in the canidates to play Garry Kasparov for the 1993 World-championship, losing 12,5 to 7,5.

He is still active and his current Elo rating is still over 2700.

Short plays an open novelety that leads to a strong attack and quick finish.

The Game on chessgames.com

Vladimir Akopian is an Armenian Grandmaster born in 1971. He won the World Under 14,16 and Junior World Championship.

His peak rating was 2713 in 2006.

Igor Khenkin is a German Grandmaster born in 1968. His peak rating was 2655.

White plays an unusual queenside fianchetto in the Sicilian which leads to a very sharp game.

The Game on chessgames.com

Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In two rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considered one of the best Chess players of all times.

Alexander Beliavsky is a Slovenian Grandmaster born in 1953.

He won the World Junior Chess Championship in 1973 and 4 USSR Championships.

His peak rating was 2710 in 1997.

Kasparov sacrifices the exchange and is left with a stranglehold on the resulting position. A very instructive game by a young Kasparov.

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Alexander Beliavsky is a Slovenian Grandmaster born in 1953.

He won the World Junior Chess Championship in 1973 and 4 USSR Championships.

His peak rating was 2710 in 1997.

Bent Larsen was a Danish Grandmaster born in 1935. He won 6 Danish Championships. From 1965 on he was regarded as the strongest non-Soviet player along Bobby Fischer until the latter beat Larsen in the 1971 Candidates 6-0.

In a great miniature Beliavsky plays a very sharp game aginst a Caro-Kann defense.

The Game on chessgames.com

Viktor Korchnoi is a Russian born Grandmaster born in 1931. He won 4 USSR Championships and played in 6 Chess Olympiads.

killegarchess, chess, grandmaster, analysis, Bobby Fischer, Magnus Carlse

He played in 10 canidate tournaments and played 2 World Championships against Karpov in 1978 and 1981, losing both.

He was a top chess player for nearly 50 years. He won the 2006 World Senior Championship.

Robert Hübner is a German Grandmaster born in 1948.

He was ranked as high as 3^rd in 1980.

He participated in 3 Candidate tournaments, reaching the finals in 1980 losing to Korchnoi.

A great game by Korchnoi who beats Hübner in 23 moves.

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Mikhail Botvinnik was a Russian Grandmaster and 6^th World Champion. He won 6 USSR Championships.

He won the 1948 FIDE World Championship Tournament against Smyslov, Keres, Reshevsky and Euwe.

He defended his title against Bronstein in 1951.

He defended his title in 1954 against Smyslov but lost it it to him in 1957. By the rules Botvinnik was granted a rematch and beat Smyslov in 1958.

He repeated this by losing and winning the rematch in 1960 and 1961 against Mikhail Tal, eventually losing his title in 1963 to Tigran Petrosian.

Tigran Petrosian was an Russian Grandmaster and the 9^th World Champion. He won the USSR Championship 4 times and attained 3 candidate tournaments. He gained the right to play Mikhail Botvinnik for World Championship in 1963 and hold it for 6 years.

He gained the nickname of “Iron Tigran” because of his great defensive and prophylactic style.

This is game 18 of the mentioned 1963 World Championship. Petrosian plays a positional masterpiece, prohibiting Botvinnik of ever gaining initiative.

The Game on chessgames.com

Vassily Ivanchuck is an Ukrainian Grandmaster born in 1969. He won several super tournaments, including Linares, Tilburg and Corus. He was ranked as high as 2^nd in the 90s and as late as 2007.He is known as eccentric and for his unpredictable temperament.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

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Alexander Morozevich is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1977. He is known for his highly unorthodox and aggressive play style, which leads to a lot of variance in his ratings. He was rated as high as #2 in the July 2008 list. He tied for first in the 2003 Russian Championship and has many top performances in many super tournaments.

Loek van Wely is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1972. He won 6 consecutive Dutch Championships starting in 2000. He worked as a second for Vladimir Kramnik and reached his peak rating of 2714 in 2001.

The Game on chessgames.com

Boris Gelfand is an Israeli Grandmaster born 1968. He won the Supertournaments of Biel and Wijk an Zee twice (1992,1994).

He recently won the 2011 Canidate Tournament and will play Viswanathan Anand in the 2012 World Championship.

Alexander Shablov is an American Grandmaster born in 1967. He won 4 U.S. Championships, the last in 2007.

A very complicated game with a very strong attack by Gelfand.

The Game on chessgames.com

Paul Morphy was an American chess player born in 1837. He is considerd to be the strongest player of the 19th century. At the age of 12 he beat the Hungarian master Johann Löwenthal in 3 game match.

In 1958 he traveled Europe and beat every strong master decisively, however a planned match with Howard Staunton did not happen.

He is considered one of the strongest players of all time and certainly years ahead of his time.

Henri Baucher was a French Player born in 1818.

The game was played in a blindfold simultan event of Morphy. Morphy displays his profound calculating ability and positional play.

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Leonid Yurtaev was a Grandmaster from Kyrgyzstan born in 1959. He died in June 2011.

Yuri Shulman is an American Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 2008 U.S. Championship.

A great win by Shulman who sacrifices a knight for a crushing attack. The game just lasted 24 moves.

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Judit Polgar is a Hungarian Grandmaster and by far the strongest female player ever. She was ranked as high as 8^th in the 2005 FIDE World Rankings.

She participated in many Super tournaments with great results.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is a Azerbaijanian Grandmaster born in 1985. He is the current number 9 of the official FIDE Rankings.

A great game by Polgar with a nice knight sacrifice.

The Game on chessgames.com

Tigran Petrosian was an Russian Grandmaster and the 9^th World Champion. He won the USSR Championship 4 times and attained 3 candidate tournaments. He gained the right to play Mikhail Botvinnik for World Championship in 1963 and hold it for 6 years.

He gained the nickname of “Iron Tigran” because of his great defensive and prophylactic style.

Andreas Dueckstein is an Austrian International Master born in 1927. He is a 3 times Austrian Champion and won several Vienna Championships.

This video features an in-depth description of Petrosian´s style and one of his most celebrated games.

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Nikola Mitkov is a Macedonian Grandmaster born in 1971.

Sergei Rublevsky is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1974. He won the Russian Championship in 2005. He is known to play unusual openings and old lines bypassing the modern computer assisted opening theory.

Mitkov plays a deep positional exchange sacrifice that stars a very strong attack.

The Game on chessgames.com

Konstantin Landa is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1972.

Evgeny Shaposhnikov is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1981.

A great game by Landa with a brilliant tripple sacrifice.

The Game on chessgames.com

Boris Gelfand is an Israeli Grandmaster born 1968. He won the Supertournaments of Biel and Wijk an Zee twice (1992,1994).

He recently won the 2011 Canidate Tournament and will play Viswanathan Anand in the 2012 World Championship.

Kiril Georgiev is a Bulgarian Grandmaster born in 1965. He won 3 Bulgarian Chess Championship and is considered the strongest Bulgarian player at the moment. He holds the record for most simultan games played with 360 games in 2009. He scored 280 wins, 6 loses and 74 draws.

Gelfand plays a great knight sacrifice that leads to a crushing attack.

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This is my first out-takes video which has most bloopers from my first 50 videos.

Loek van Wely is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1972. He won 6 consecutive Dutch Championships starting in 2000. He worked as a second for Vladimir Kramnik and reached his peak rating of 2714 in 2001.

Peter Acs ia Hungarian Grandmaster born in 1981. He won the 2001 World Junior Championship and participated in 3 Chess Olympiads.

Acs launches a very strong king-side attack and demolishes Loek van Wely in just 18 moves.

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Sergei Smagin is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1958. He achieved his peak rating of 2613 in 2001.

Dragutin Sahovic was a Serbian Grandmaster born in 1940. He is co-responsible for the introduction of ECO codes for openings.

The game saw the raw used Nimzowitch defense. Nevertheless it saw a great Queen sacrifice.

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Boris Spassky is a Russian Grandmaster and former World Champion, born in 1937. He is currently living in France. In his youth he won the World Junior Chess Championship. He won his first USSR Championship in 1961 and gained the right to challenge Tigran Petrosian in the 1966 World Championship match, which he lost narrowly. 3 years later he again had the chance to play Petrosian for the title and beat him 12,5 to 10,5.

He lost the title in widely publicized “match of the century” to Fischer.

Yasser Seirawan is an American Grandmaster born in 1960. He won 4 U.S. Championships and won the 1979 World Junior Chess Championship.

Spassy plays a very sharp game to clinch a win in just 23 moves.

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Evegeny Sveshnikov is a Latvian Grandmaster born in 1950. He won the Latvian Championship in 2003 and 2010. He is most known for his opening contributions, mainly the Sveshnikov Variation of the Sicilian Defense.

Ruslan Scherbakov is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1969.

A positional masterpiece, Sveshnikovs launches a gaming winning beautiful Queen sacrifice.

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Alexander Riazantsev is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1985. He is the current world number 56.

Vladimir Nevostruev is a Russian Grandmaster.

Nevostruev sacrifices his Queen for a crushing attack.

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William James Lombardy is an American Chess Grandmaster. He is the first American to win the World Junior Chess Championship. He also played for the US Team in the World Student Team Championship which was held in Leningrad, USSR in 1960. That was the first time the US Team won that event. Three times he won or tied for first in the US Open Chess Championship.

Miguel Quinteros is an Argentinian Grandmaster born in 1947. He played in 6 Chess Olympiads and won 2 Argentinian Chess Championships.

In a Sicilian Najdorf Lombardy sacrifices a knight. It is very intructive as it is a topical sacrifice in the Sicilian formation.

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Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Grandmaster born in 1990. At age 14 he became the second youngest Grandmaster ever and in 2005 was the youngest player to attend the candidates tournament.

Despite his young age he already won several super tournaments, including Corus 2008 and in 2009 winning the 21^st Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a score of 8/10 and a tournament performance of over 3000 Elo.

He was coached by Garry Kasparov in 2009 and is by far the youngest player ever to have an rating of 2800.

He currently is the highest rated player on the July 2011 list of FIDE with a rating of 2821.

Veselin Topalov is a Bulgarian Grandmaster born in 1975.He played in the FIDE 1998,1999,2000,2002,2004 and finally winning the 2005 tournament scoring 6,5 out of 7 points in the first half of it. In the controversial 2006 reunification match against Kramnik he narrowly lost in tie breaks.

By defeating Gata Kamsky in matchplay 4,5 to 2,5 he gained the right to play Anand in the 2010 World Championship.

He won several super tournaments including Linares, MTL Masters and Corus.

He was ranked number one for 27 months.

A true masterpiece by Carlsen. He launches a very instructive attack in a rare line of the Queens Gambit Declined.

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Gyula Sax is an Hungarian Grandmaster born in 1951. He was European Junior Champion in 1972. He was ranked as high as 20^th.

Ljubomir Ljubojevic is a Serbian Grandmaster born in 1950. He won the Yugoslav Championship 1977 (jointly) and 1982.

He played in 12 Chess Olympiads.

He was ranked as high as 3^rd in 1983.

In this great miniature Ljubojevic punishes unorthodox play in a Sicilian Alapin.

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Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Grandmaster born in 1990. At age 14 he became the second youngest Grandmaster ever and in 2005 was the youngest player to attend the candidates tournament.

Despite his young age he already won several super tournaments, including Corus 2008 and in 2009 winning the 21^st Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a score of 8/10 and a tournament performance of over 3000 Elo.

He was coached by Garry Kasparov in 2009 and is by far the youngest player ever to have an rating of 2800.

He currently is the highest rated player on the July 2011 list of FIDE with a rating of 2821.

Lenier Dominguez is a Cuban Grandmaster born in 1983.

He won the Cuban Championship in 2002,2003 and 2006. In 2008 he won the “Capablanca In Memoriam tournament “ in Havana.

He was ranked as high as number 21 in the world (May 2011).

Carlsen plays a great game and progresses in the centre with a passed pawn.

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Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Grandmaster born in 1990. At age 14 he became the second youngest Grandmaster ever and in 2005 was the youngest player to attend the candidates tournament.

Despite his young age he already won several super tournaments, including Corus 2008 and in 2009 winning the 21^st Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a score of 8/10 and a tournament performance of over 3000 Elo.

He was coached by Garry Kasparov in 2009 and is by far the youngest player ever to have an rating of 2800.

He currently is the highest rated player on the July 2011 list of FIDE with a rating of 2821.

Wang Yue is a Chinese Grandmaster born in 1987. He is the highest rated Chinese player so far and the first to cross the 2700 Elo-mark. He was as high ranked as 10^th in 2010.

This game was played in the Tal Memorial 2009. Carlsen launches a great attack and soon his passed pawns prove to be decisive.

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Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Grandmaster born in 1990. At age 14 he became the second youngest Grandmaster ever and in 2005 was the youngest player to attend the candidates tournament.

Despite his young age he already won several super tournaments, including Corus 2008 and in 2009 winning the 21^st Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a score of 8/10 and a tournament performance of over 3000 Elo.

He was coached by Garry Kasparov in 2009 and is by far the youngest player ever to have an rating of 2800.

He currently is the highest rated player on the July 2011 list of FIDE with a rating of 2821.

Alexei Shirov is a Spanish Grandmaster, born 1972 in Latvia. He became the World Under 16 Champion in 1988 and achieved the Grandmaster title with 20 years.

In 1998 he defeated Kramnik in a 10 match game to gain the right to challenge reigning champion Garry Kasparov, yet funding of the match eventually fell through.

His peak rating was 2755.

This game was played in last round of the Tal Memorial 2009. Carlsen needed a draw to secure first place. Carlsen played a very sharp line, a brave choice that however backfired. Obtaining a strong attack, Shirov was able to defend accurately and Carlsen is left in a hopeless position.

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David Norwood is an English Grandmaster born in 1968. This is his most famous game.

In this game Norwood sacrifices a Queen for a very strong king hunt with a great mate.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

James Sherwin is an American International Master born in 1933. He finished in the top 4 of the U.S Championship 7 times and won 2 U.S. Speed Championships in 1957 and 1960.

Fischer sacrifices a knight for an irresistible attack.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Bent Larsen was a Danish Grandmaster born in 1935. He won 6 Danish Championships. From 1965 on he was regarded as the strongest non-Soviet player along Bobby Fischer until the latter beat Larsen in the 1971 Candidates 6-0.

In a Sicilian Dragon Fischer launches a pawn storm on the king side that proves to be too strong to overcome.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Efim Geller was a Russian Grandmaster born in 1925. He won two Russian Championships and four Ukrainian Championships. He attended the Candidate Tournament six times. He was the coach of World Champions Boris Spassky and Anatoly Karpov.

Fischer punishes Geller´s underdevelped pieces with a strong, crippling attack.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

William G Addison was a American International Master born in 1933. He played in 5 U.S. Championships with the best result being a second place in 1970.

Against a Scandinavian defense, Fischer gambits a pawn to create a crushing attack.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Reuben Fine was an American Grandmaster born in 1914. He was one of the strongest players during the 1930s and 40s. He played 3 times in the Chess Olympiad and scored 5 medals.

Fischer beats Fine in just 17 moves with the Evans Gambit.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Tigran Petrosian was an Russian Grandmaster and the 9^th World Champion. He won the USSR Championship 4 times and attained 3 candidate tournaments. He gained the right to play Mikhail Botvinnik for World Championship in 1963 and hold it for 6 years.

He gained the nickname of “Iron Tigran” because of his great defensive and prophylactic style.

In this blitz game played at the famous 1970 Herceg Novi tournament, Fischer outplays ex-Champion Petrosian badly with the black pieces.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Wolfgang Unzicker was a German Grandmaster born in 1925. He was lawyer and later judge and advocated the German Chess Association for many years. He played more than 400 games for the German national team.

His greatest tournament achievements include shared first with Boris Spassky 1965 in Sochi, first at Maribor 1967, first at Amsterdam 1980.

In Bobby´s favourite Sicilian he launches a strong queen-side attack.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Robert Byrne is an American Grandmaster born in 1928. He won the U.S. Championship in 1960. He played in 9 Chess Olympiads. In one of Fischer´s most famous games he sacrifices a knight at the start of a startling combination.

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Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Emil Nikolic is a Crotian Chess player.

In the game Fischer sacrifices a Bishop for a strong attack. The attack however is unsound and correct defense by white should secure the win. Nikolic however cracks under pressure and time trouble and his inaccuracies lead to an unstoppable attack.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Larry Evans was an American Grandmaster born in 1932. He won 4 U.S. Championships and was a second to Fischer´s World Championship match against Spassky.

In this masterpiece Bobby outmanoeuvres his opponent on the Queen side. After a big struggle he renders white defense complety passive and uncoorindated and simplifies in endgame up 3 pawns.

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Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In two rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considered one of the best Chess players of all times.

Sergei Movesian is an Armenian Grandmaster. He was as high ranked as 10^th in 2009.

Kasparov employs a rook lift to put pressure on the black king, opening the position with a pawn sacrifice.

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Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In two rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considered one of the best Chess players of all times.

Lajos Portisch is an Hungarian Grandmaster born in 1937. He was one of the strongest non-Soviet players for more than 20 years beginning in 1960. He participated in 8 Candidate cycles and 20 Chess Olympiads, an alltime record.

He won 8 Hungarian Championships.

Kasparov sacrifices a bishop for a fierce attack in this game.

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Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In two rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 1991 World Under 18 Championship and was the Russian national champion in 1990.

Without qualifying (he was picked by the titleholder) for the 2000 World Chess Championship against his mentor Garry Kasparov, he was able to win the title of World Champion with 8,5 to 6,5.

Defending his title against Peter Leko in 2004 and Veselin Topalov in 2006, he eventually lost it in the 2007 held super tournament. He lost the 2008 World Chess Championship against Anand with 4,5 to 6.

He is known for his very strong, solid defense.

He was the highest rated player in the world as early as 1996.

In his favorite Sicilian Kasparov plays a very sharp line that leads to a crushing attack on the black king.

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Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In two rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

Anatoli Karpov is a Russian Grandmaster and the 11^th World Champion.

He gained the title of World Champion when he won the candidate cycle in 1974 and Bobby Fischer resigned his title.

Determined to prove himself as a worthy Champion he participated in all strong tournaments for the next 10 years.

In his first 2 title defenses he faced Korchnoi and beat him closely in the first in 1978(+6 -5 =21) and decisively in the “Massacre in Merano” in 1981 (+6 -2 =10).

He lost his title in 1985 to Kasparov and narrowly lost the next 3 rematches.

His style is described as positional and calm.

This is the most famous game of the 1990 World Championship. In a complicated position Kasparov builds a strong attack and a fine knight sacrifice busts the black king white open with a mate to follow shortly.

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Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 1991 World Under 18 Championship and was the Russian national champion in 1990.

Without qualifying (he was picked by the titleholder) for the 2000 World Chess Championship against his mentor Garry Kasparov, he was able to win the title of World Champion with 8,5 to 6,5.

Defending his title against Peter Leko in 2004 and Veselin Topalov in 2006, he eventually lost it in the 2007 held super tournament. He lost the 2008 World Chess Championship against Anand with 4,5 to 6.

He is known for his very strong, solid defense.

He was the highest rated player in the world as early as 1996.

Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24th game.

In three rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion and another 12,5 to 11,5 in 1990.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

In this blitz game Kasparov makes a great sacrifice.

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Garry Kasparov is a Russian Grandmaster was the 12^th World Champion. Born in 1963, he had a meteroic and immediate rise to fame and recognition, tying for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In three rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12.5 to 11.5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion and another 12.5 to 11.5 in 1990.

He defended his title against Short and Anand and eventually lost it in the year 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In three rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion and another 12,5 to 11,5 in 1990.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

Loek van Wely is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1972. He won 6 consecutive Dutch Championships starting in 2000. He worked as a second for Vladimir Kramnik and reached his peak rating of 2714 in 2001.

In a great miniature Kasparov sacrifices a Knight to expose the black king in the centre to a decisive attack.

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Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In three rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion and another 12,5 to 11,5 in 1990.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

Jaan Ehlvest is an Estonian Grandmaster born in 1962. He won the 1980 Russian Junior Championship and was as high ranked as fifth in 1991.

In a brilliant miniature Kasparov launches a great attack.

The Game on chessgames.com

Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In three rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion and another 12,5 to 11,5 in 1990.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

Florin Gheorghiu is a Romanian Grandmaster born in 1944. He won the Romanian Championship 9 times 1960,1962,1964,1965,1966,1967,1973,1977 and 1984.

In this instructive game Kasparov sacrifices a pawn to generate iniative and crush his opponents position.

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Garry Kasparov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1963 and 12^th World Champion. He learned the rules of chess when he was 5 years old. Quickly rising through the ranks he tied for first in the USSR Championship in 1981 and 1982.

Entering his first Candidates Tournament when he was 19, he beat Beliavsky, Korchnoi and Smyslov to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship.

Their first matched played under the rules first to 6 points with draws not counting was aborted after 48 games and a 5-3 lead for Karpov.

In the 1985 rematch Kasparov edged out Karpov 13-11 with a Black win in the 24^th game.

In three rematches he defended his title narrowly with 12,5 to 11,5 and a 12 to 12 tie in which case he retained the title as the defending champion and another 12,5 to 11,5 in 1990.

He defended his title against Short and Anand to eventually lose it 2000 against his former pupil Vladimir Kramnik.

He is considerd one of the best Chess players of all times.

Jonathan Speelman is an English Grandmaster born in 1956. He won the British Chess Championship in 1978, 1985, 1986. He was ranked as high as 4th in 1989.

In an opposite castling situation Kasparov launches a very strong attack with a pawn and rook sacrifice.

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José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

The game was played in a blindfold exhibition of Capablanca. Thers is no infromation of his opponent.

The game features a great exchange-sacrifice by Capablanca. It is speculated that the game never actually took place as Capablanca had a similar position in an earlier game that ended more quietly. Capablanca himself never published it either. No matter if real or not this is still a great and instructive game of Capablanca.

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José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

There is no information or other games recorded for A. Chase.

This is one of the most famous games of Capablanca. He sacrifces a Queen in the opening and attains a position that by the general principles of chess, as well as by modern engine evaluation is inferior. However with his positional compensation he is able to outplay his opponent and launch a great and famous attack on the black king.

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José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

Frank Marshall was an American Grandmaster born in 1877. He won the U.S. chess championship 1904 but didn’t accept the title because defending champion Pillsbury did not participate.

In 1907 Marshall played Emanuel Lasker for the World Chess Championship but was easily defeated (+0 -8 =14).

He made contributions to opening theory, most notably the Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5).

A brilliant display of defence from Capablanca in this game. Marshall is lured into overextending himself and after one of his famous swindles doesn’t work forced to resign.

The Game on chessgames.com

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

Charles Jaffe was a Belarusian-American quasi Grandmaster (there where no official Grandmaster titles at the time of his peak around 1910) born in 1879. He became a professional chess player in 1910. He played several matches against the top players of his day, including Marshall, Capablanca and Alekhine.

In this game Capablanca launches a vicious attack that forces the black king out in the open where he gets quickly mated.

The Game on chessgames.com

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

John Morrison was a Canadian Master, born in 1889. He was Canadian Champion and active for several decades.

In an opposite castling game Capablanca gradually increases his advantage and ends up with a very strong bishops with many tactical threats.

The Game on chessgames.com

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

Jacques Mieses was a German born Grandmaster born in 1865. He was a strong attacker with some brilliant victories the greatest players of his time including Capablanca, Tarrasch, Schlechter and Lasker.

The game sees a firework middle game with a complex position and a rare misstep of Capablanca.

The Game on chessgames.com

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

In this casual game against a unknown player, Capablanca demolishes his opponent within 25 moves in a great miniature win.

The Game on chessgames.com

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban Grandmaster and the third undisputed World Champion. Born in 1888. When he was 13 he beat the reigning Cuban Champion Juan Corzo narrowly in match play (4–3, 6 draws). He was accepted into Columbia University and moved to New York City. He joined the Manhattan Chess Club and was soon recognized as their strongest player.

He rose in the ranks, defeating Marshall in match play and convincingly winning the San Sebastian Tournament of 1911, one of the strongest tournaments up to that point.

He was in negations with Lasker for a World Championship match, but World War one broke out and put a halt on international chess for more than 5 years.

Finally Lasker resgined his title to Capablanca, to play their 1921 World Championship as the challenger. Capablanca won 9-5 and became the thrid World Champion.

He later lost his title to Alexander Alekhine and died in 1942.

Capablanca was known for his simple play and had tremendous strength, especially in the endgame.

Nigel Short is an English Grandmaster born in 1965. He was a prodigy, defeating Korchnoi at the age of 10 at a simultan event. He tied for first in the British Championship when he was 14.

He defeated Anatoli Karpov and Jan Timman in the canidates to play Garry Kasparov for the 1993 World-championship, losing 12,5 to 7,5.

He is still active and his current Elo rating is still over 2700.

I couldnt find any information S.J. Hooker, on chessgames.com this is the only game that is recorded of him.

A 10 year old Short scored a brilliant win in this French Winawer.

The Game on chessgames.com

Milan Matulovic is a Serbian Grandmaster born in 1935. In 1958 he played a training match against a young Bobby Fischer.

Even though he retired from the competitive chess circuit around 1977, he still remains active until today, winning several tournaments on the way including Borovo 1980, Helsinki 1981 and Vrnjacka Banja 1985 and 1990.

Lothar Zinn was a German International Master born in 1938. He won the DDR Championship in 1961 and 1965.

He played for his country in 4 Chess Olympiads.

In a sharp Winawer Matulovic sacrifices a pawn and the exchange for a strong attack. A very topical and instructional game for the French Defense.

The Game on chessgames.com

Eldis Cobo Artega was a Cubanian international Master born in 1929.

Borislav Ivkov is an Serbian Grandmaster born in 1933. He was the World Junior Champion in 1951, 3 times (joint) Serbian Champion.

He is still active and played the Canadian Open in 2007.

The game saw a typical French poisoned Pawn variation with attacking chances for both sides.

The Game on chessgames.com

Efim Geller was a Russian Grandmaster born in 1925. He won two Russian Championships and four Ukrainian Championships. He attended the Candidate Tournament six times. He was the coach of World Champions Boris Spassky and Anatoly Karpov.

Alexey Sokolsky was a Russian International Master born in 1908. He was the first Russian Correspondence Champion and won two Ukrainian Championships.

The game saw a French Winawer Poison Pawn Variation. Both sides get attacking chances with White having the strong threat of queening his h-pawn with Black in return gaining a strong attack on the stranded King in the centre.

The Game on chessgames.com

The two players in this game are mostly unknown. According to chessgames.com this was a correspondence game played in 1987.

It is a very nice and complicated French Winawer Poison Pawn variation.

The Game on chessgames.com

Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 1991 World Under 18 Championship and was the Russian national champion in 1990.

Without qualifying (he was picked by the titleholder) for the 2000 World Chess Championship against his mentor Garry Kasparov, he was able to win the title of World Champion with 8,5 to 6,5.

Defending his title against Peter Leko in 2004 and Veselin Topalov in 2006, he eventually lost it in the 2007 held super tournament. He lost the 2008 World Chess Championship against Anand with 4,5 to 6.

He is known for his very strong, solid defense.

He was the highest rated player in the world as early as 1996.

Alexander Morozevich is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1977. He is known for his highly unorthodox and aggressive play style, which leads to a lot of variance in his ratings. He was rated as high as #2 in the July 2008 list. He tied for first in the 2003 Russian Championship and has many top performances in many super tournaments.

The Game on chessgames.com

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Peter Leko is an Hungarian Grandmaster born in 1979. He was the youngest player to achieve the Grandmaster title in 1994 with 14 years, however the record has since been broken.

He won several supertournaments including Dortmund, Linares, Corus and the Tal Memorial.

He played Vladimir Kramnik in 2004 for the Classical World Championship. Going into the last game he was leading with 7-6, but Kramnik won the last gamed to tie the score at 7-7 and retain his title.

The Game on chessgames.com

Vassily Ivanchuck is an Ukrainian Grandmaster born in 1969. He won several super tournaments, including Linares, Tilburg and Corus. He was ranked as high as 2^nd in the 90s and as late as 2007.He is known as eccentric and for his unpredictable temperament.

Alexander Morozevich is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1977. He is known for his highly unorthodox and aggressive play style, which leads to a lot of variance in his ratings. He was rated as high as #2 in the July 2008 list. He tied for first in the 2003 Russian Championship and has many top performances in many super tournaments.

Up to the point of the game the two played 35 times with Ivanchuck winning 18, losing 8 and 9 draws.

The Game on chessgames.com

Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Grandmaster born in 1990. At age 14 he became the second youngest Grandmaster ever and in 2005 was the youngest player to attend the candidates tournament.

Despite his young age he already won several super tournaments, including Corus 2008 and in 2009 winning the 21^st Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a score of 8/10 and a tournament performance of over 3000 Elo.

He was coached by Garry Kasparov in 2009 and is by far the youngest player ever to have an rating of 2800.

He currently is the highest rated player on the July 2011 list of FIDE with a rating of 2821.

Ruslan Ponomariov is an Ukrainian born in 1983.He won the World Under 18 Championship with 13 years and gained his Grandmaster title with 14.

He won the 2002 FIDE knock-out World Championship to become the youngest world champion ever (even though this is not the classical title).

His peak rating was 2768, he was rated as high as #6, however only the second highest rated Ukrainian Player behind Vassily Ivanchuk.

In a typical Sicilian Carlsen plays a subtle Queen move, taking Ponomariov most likely out of his preparation. This is what I thought when I annotated the game anyways. In the press conference after the game Carlsen however stated that he didnt knew Blacks previous move Ne5 and played Qe1 over the board.

The Game on chessgames.com

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Levon Aronian is an Armenian Grandmaster born in 1982. He won the Under 14 World Championship in 1994 and is the reigning World Blitz Champion. In 2011 he achieved a peak rating of 2805, making him only the thrid player to do so.

The game is a great miniature win by Aronian. In a Slav variation of the Queens Gambit declined, Aronian loses castling rights early on for great initiative. Paradoxical White is better developed, yet reigning World Champion Anand is unable to find the best moves against Blacks fierce attack.

The Game on chessgames.com

Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 1991 World Under 18 Championship and was the Russian national champion in 1990.

Without qualifying (he was picked by the titleholder) for the 2000 World Chess Championship against his mentor Garry Kasparov, he was able to win the title of World Champion with 8,5 to 6,5.

Defending his title against Peter Leko in 2004 and Veselin Topalov in 2006, he eventually lost it in the 2007 held super tournament. He lost the 2008 World Chess Championship against Anand with 4,5 to 6.

He is known for his very strong, solid defense.

He was the highest rated player in the world as early as 1996.

This is the first of my own games I annotated. I hope you enjoy it.

Peter Svidler is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1976. He won 5 Russsian Championship. His Peak rating was 2765 in 2006.

Vladimir Malakhov is an Russian Grandmaster born in 1980. His peak rating is 2734.

A very sharp game that was played in the Fide World Cup 2009.

The Game on chessgames.com

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

This is another game I played recently in my local chess club. I hope you enjoy it.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Mario Bertok was a Croatian International master born in 1929. He was a sportswriter by profession, writing for “Sportske novosti”.

This game impressively shows that calculation is more important than common chess principles. Fischer utilizes a hanging pawn, usually a weakness and easy target, to his advantage in a extremely tight calculated midgame.

The Game on chessgames.com

This is one of my own games I played against the strong Irish player Jack Killiane, born in 1940. He was the strongest player I ever faced under standard time controls. I hope you enjoy it.

The Game on chessgames.com

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Svetozar Gligorić is an Serbian Grandmaster born in 1923. He won 12 Yugoslav Championships.He was ranked in the top 100 for over 40 years of his active career and played his last competetive tournament in 2003 with the age of 80.

In a highly complicated Sicilian the two players reach a position they have played 2 times already with Fischer losing both encounters. The endgame proves to be of high theoretical value.

The Game on chessgames.com

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Arinbjorn Gudmundsson is an Icelandic chess player born in 1932. He was of great playing strength but never achieved an official title.

In “My 60 memorable Games” Larry Evans summarizes the game:”Illustrating, rather subtly, how a weaker player may be lured to his own destruction, Fischer entices his opponent to abandon his passive though solid attempts to settle for a draw.”

The Game on chessgames.com

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Laszlo Szabo was an Hungarian Grandmaster born in 1917. He played in 11 Chess Olympics for his country and participated in 3 Candidate tournaments.

He died in 1998.

This is the third game they played, the prior encounters were draws.

In a King´s Indian Defense, Szabo plays a passive Queen early on to get out of the known book lines. Black is able to quickly equalize and undermine whites central control.

The Game on chessgames.com

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Vasily Smyslov was the 7th World Chess Champion. He was born 1921 in Russia. Since he was 19 he belonged to the top Russian players. He participated in 2 World Championships against Botvinnik, losing the first and clinching the title in the match with 12,5 to 9,5 in 1957. He lost the rematch one year later.

This is the second match the two have played, the first game was a draw.

The game saw a Najdorf Sicilian. Smyslov launches a pawn storm on Black´s King side. Fischer solidifies his position and finds himself up a pawn in a dynamic midgame position.

The Game on chessgames.com

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Boris Spassky is a Russian Grandmaster and former World Champion, born in 1937. He is currently living in France. In his youth he won the World Junior Chess Championship. He won his first USSR Championship in 1961 and gained the right to challenge Tigran Petrosian in the 1966 World Championship match, which he lost narrowly. 3 years later he again had the chance to play Petrosian for the title and beat him 12,5 to 10,5.

He lost the title in widely publicized “match of the century” to Fischer.

This is the first encounter of the two, 12 years before their World Championship match

The game sees the nowadays unsound Kings Gambit by Spassky. A very dynamic position resolves with Fischer being a pawn up. The mid game is chaotic with play on all sides of the board.

The Game on chessgames.com

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Samuel Reshevsky was a Polish born, American Grandmaster born in 1911. He toured America after World War I as an 9 year old, playing over 1500 exhibition matches with only 8 loses.

He won the US Championship six times and qualified for the candidates 5 times.

The two played on 8 previous occasions with Fischer winning 2 to 1 with 5 draws.

In a Sicilian Dragon Fischer launches a strong Pawn-storm on Black´s King. After a pawn sacrifice he opens the g-file on which he soon exerts a lot of pressure with his heavy pieces.

The Game on chessgames.com

Hikaru Nakamura is an American Grandmaster, born in 1987. He was the youngest player up to that point to receive the title of International Master with 13 years and became Americas youngest ever Grandmaster with 15 years.

In 2001 he won the World Under 14 Championship. He won his first super tournament in 2011 by winning the Tata Steel (formerly Corus) tournament.

He is considered the best bullet (1 minute time control) player in the world.

In July 2011 his Elo rating was 2766, making him the number 9 in the world.

Sergei Tiviakov is a Russian born Dutch Grandmaster born in 1973. He won the World Under 16 and 18 junior Championship.

He won the 2006 Dutch Championship and reached his peak rating of 2699 in 2005.

Alexei Shirov is a Spanish Grandmaster, born 1972 in Latvia. He became the World Under 16 Champion in 1988 and achieved the Grandmaster title with 20 years.

In 1998 he defeated Kramnik in a 10 match game to gain the right to challenge reigning champion Garry Kasparov, yet funding of the match eventually fell through.

His peak rating was 2755.

Vassily Ivanchuck is an Ukrainian Grandmaster born in 1969. He won several super tournaments, including Linares, Tilburg and Corus. He was ranked as high as 2^nd in the 90s and as late as 2007.He is known as eccentric and for his unpredictable temperament.

Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 1991 World Under 18 Championship and was the Russian national champion in 1990.

Without qualifying (he was picked by the titleholder) for the 2000 World Chess Championship against his mentor Garry Kasparov, he was able to win the title of World Champion with 8,5 to 6,5.

Defending his title against Peter Leko in 2004 and Veselin Topalov in 2006, he eventually lost it in the 2007 held super tournament. He lost the 2008 World Chess Championship against Anand with 4,5 to 6.

He is known for his very strong, solid defense.

He was the highest rated player in the world as early as 1996.

Hikaru Nakamura is an American Grandmaster, born in 1987. He was the youngest player up to that point to receive the title of International Master with 13 years and became Americas youngest ever Grandmaster with 15 years.

In 2001 he won the World Under 14 Championship. He won his first super tournament in 2011 by winning the Tata Steel (formerly Corus) tournament.

He is considered the best bullet (1 minute time control) player in the world.

In July 2011 his Elo rating was 2766, making him the number 9 in the world.

Vladimir Kramnik is a Russian Grandmaster born in 1975. He won the 1991 World Under 18 Championship and was the Russian national champion in 1990.

Without qualifying (he was picked by the titleholder) for the 2000 World Chess Championship against his mentor Garry Kasparov, he was able to win the title of World Champion with 8,5 to 6,5.

Defending his title against Peter Leko in 2004 and Veselin Topalov in 2006, he eventually lost it in the 2007 held super tournament. He lost the 2008 World Chess Championship against Anand with 4,5 to 6.

He is known for his very strong, solid defense.

He was the highest rated player in the world as early as 1996.

Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Grandmaster born in 1990. At age 14 he became the second youngest Grandmaster ever and in 2005 was the youngest player to attend the candidates tournament.

Despite his young age he already won several super tournaments, including Corus 2008 and in 2009 winning the 21^st Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a score of 8/10 and a tournament performance of over 3000 Elo.

He was coached by Garry Kasparov in 2009 and is by far the youngest player ever to have an rating of 2800.

He currently is the highest rated player on the July 2011 list of FIDE with a rating of 2821.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800

Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian Grandmaster born in 1990. At age 14 he became the second youngest Grandmaster ever and in 2005 was the youngest player to attend the candidates tournament.

Despite his young age he already won several super tournaments, including Corus 2008 and in 2009 winning the 21^st Pearl Spring Chess Tournament with a score of 8/10 and a tournament performance of over 3000 Elo.

He was coached by Garry Kasparov in 2009 and is by far the youngest player ever to have an rating of 2800.

He currently is the highest rated player on the July 2011 list of FIDE with a rating of 2821.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Alexei Shirov is a Spanish Grandmaster, born 1972 in Latvia. He became the World Under 16 Champion in 1988 and achieved the Grandmaster title with 20 years.

In 1998 he defeated Kramnik in a 10 match game to gain the right to challenge reigning champion Garry Kasparov, yet funding of the match eventually fell through.

His peak rating was 2755.

Loek van Wely is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1972. He won 6 consecutive Dutch Championships starting in 2000. He worked as a second for Vladimir Kramnik and reached his peak rating of 2714 in 2001.

Nigel Short is an English Grandmaster born in 1965. He was a prodigy, defeating Korchnoi at the age of 10 at a simultan event. He tied for first in the British Championship when he was 14.

Nigel Short is an English Grandmaster born in 1965. He was a prodigy, defeating Korchnoi at the age of 10 at a simultan event. He tied for first in the British Championship when he was 14.

He defeated Anatoli Karpov and Jan Timman in the canidates to play Garry Kasparov for the 1993 World-championship, losing 12,5 to 7,5.

He is still active and his current Elo rating is still over 2700.

Jan Smeets is a Dutch Grandmaster born in 1985. He was an active player in his youth, started playing with 6 years when his father taught him how to play. After winning the Dutch under 14,16,20 age Championship (1998-2002), he was Dutch Champion in 2008 and 2010.

Before this game the two have played 5 times with Short winning 2 times with Black, 1 White win for Smeets and 2 draws.

The game was played in the last round of Corus when Magnus Carlsen already clinched first place.

In a wild Russian Defense, Short plays a rarely seen variation that leads to a romantic, sharp position. The game has a coffee-house character with many unsound sacrifices.

In a highly advantageous position for Smeets, he nevertheless agrees to draw.

The Game on chessgames.com

Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand was born in 1969 and at 18 years of age became India’s first Grandmaster. In 2007 he was recognised as the undisputed World Champion of Chess – a title he has defended vigorously against the best players in the world.

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian Grandmaster born in 1969.Vishy, as he is known to his fans, became India´s first Grandmaster and World Champion, first winning the FIDE Championship in 2000 defeating Alexei Shirov in the final and in 2007 winning the World Chess Championship double round-robin tournament with 9 out of 14.

He won several super tournaments including Corus five times (1989,1998,2003,2004,2006), Linares three times(1998, 2007, 2008) and Dortmund Sparkassenmeeting three times(1996, 2000, 2004) .

He is known for his excellent Blitz and Bullet game, which earned him the additional nickname of “Lighting Kid”.

He won 6 Chess Oscars and is one of only 6 players to achieve an Elo rating of 2800.

Robert James “Bobby” Fischer is considered by many as one of the greatest chess players of all time. His name is synonymous with chess in the USA. Bobby Fischer was born in 1943. At the age of 13 he earned the brilliancy price in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament against Donald Byrne, the game is known as “The Game of the Century”. Fischer participated in eight US Chess Championships, winning each one of them. In 1971 he became the first official number one rated chess player of FIDE. In 1972 he won the World Chess Championship from Boris Spassky. Bobby Fischer died in 2008