 Kamsky winning World Cup
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 Christmas
came early for comeback king Gata Kamsky, as the American No.1 sensationally captured the Fide World Cup by beating Spain's Alexei Shirov in the best-of-four-game final in Khanty-Mansisyk, Russia.
After drawing the opening game of the match,
Brooklyn-based Kamsky, 33, outplayed Shirov in game two to record the only win of the contest as he successfully held his nerve and the remaining two games to win the title and $120,000 first prize - and with it the right to play Veselin
Topalov in 2008, with the winner going on to face the winner of the Anand-Kramnik match for the world championship in 2009.
En route to beating Shirov in the final, Kamsky beat some of the pre-tournament favourites, such as: Peter Svidler,
the former Russian champion ranked 12th in the world, Ruslan Ponomariov, the Ukrainian star who won a similar knockout in 2001, and Magnus Carlsen, the young Norwegian prodigy.
Kamsky's success in winning the World Cup with an unbeaten
2816 performance should boost his ranking of 16th in the world, to the top-10 level he reached in the mid-1990s when he was considered a future challenger for Garry Kasparov's crown before quitting the game for eight-years in pursuit of
a law degree before his 2004 comeback.
| NAME |
FED |
FIDE |
G1 |
G2 |
G3 |
G4 |
R1 |
R2 |
B1 |
B2 |
SD |
TOT |
| 1 |
Gata Kamsky |
USA |
2714 |
½ |
1 |
½ |
½ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2.5 |
| Alexei Shirov |
ESP |
2739 |
½ |
0 |
½ |
½ |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1.5 |
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Visit ICC or the official web site. All pictures from
Khanty by Eugene Atarov for the official World Cup web site.
World Cup'07 Game of the Day
GM Larry Christiansen presents the World Cup 07 Game of the Day:
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Anand-Kramnik match 2008
  [Press
release] The World Chess Championship will be held from October 11 to 30, 2008 in the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn, between Viswanathan Anand ( India)
and Vladimir Kramnik ( Russia).
The match will consist of twelve games, played under classical time controls, in the period from October 11 to October 28, 2008. If there is a tie at the end of these games a tiebreak will be played on October 30, 2008.
The prize fund, which will be split equally between the players, is 1,5 million Euro (approximately 2,1 million US Dollars) including taxes and FIDE licensee fees.
Viswanathan Anand (37) and Vladimir Kramnik (32) are the two outstanding personalities in chess today. The world championship match between them is keenly anticipated by chess fans all over the world. It is part of
a 120-year tradition of chess history, which includes matches like Capablanca-Alekhine, Fischer-Spassky, Kasparov-Karpov and Kramnik-Topalov.
The reigning and undisputed World Champion Anand won his title in September 2007 at the World Championship tournament in Mexico City. Kramnik, who was undefeated in his three world championship matches, became second
in this double round robin event.
The World Chess Championship 2008 takes place under the patronage of the German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück, who is himself an enthusiastic and ambitious chess player.
The main sponsor of the World Championship is Evonik Industries. This industrial enterprise is located in Essen, Germany, and was the exclusive sponsor of the 2006 World Chess Challenge between Vladimir Kramnik and
the chess program Deep Fritz.
The World Chess Championship 2008 in Bonn will be organized with the full cooperation of the World Chess Federation FIDE and it’s President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. FIDE has its main office in Athens, Greece, and is
the head of 161 national chess federations with 40 million active chess players, making it one of the world’s largest sporting organizations.
The organizer of the World Championship 2008 is Universal Event Promotion (UEP), which is located in Dortmund ( Germany) and has received all rights for the event from FIDE. UEP staged the World Chess Challenge between
Vladimir Kramnik and the chess program Deep Fritz in 2006, an event that drew worldwide media attention and was very successfully commercialised.
60th Russian Championship Superfinal 2007
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The 60TH Russian Championship Superfinals 2007 is
underway 18th-29th December 2007. The strongest seeds are GMs Peter Svidler, Alexander Morozevich and Alexander Grischuk.
The tournament is a twelve-player round-robin and the Sofia rule applies: draw offers are not allowed. The prize funds are 200,000 $ USA with 40,000 for the winner.
ICC has live broadcast each round. The games starts at 07:00 ICC time. Also, visit the official
website.
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60th Russian Championship Superfinal - Crosstable after Round-3
| N |
NAME |
FED |
ELO |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
PTS |
PFM |
| 1 |
Sakaev, Konstantin |
RUS |
2634 |
|
. |
. |
. |
½ |
½ |
. |
. |
. |
1 |
. |
. |
2 |
2784 |
| 2 |
Rychagov, Andrey |
RUS |
2528 |
. |
|
. |
½ |
. |
. |
. |
1 |
. |
. |
½ |
. |
2 |
2786 |
| 3 |
Grischuk, Alexander |
RUS |
2715 |
. |
. |
|
. |
. |
½ |
. |
. |
1 |
. |
½ |
. |
2 |
2764 |
| 4 |
Tomashevsky, Evgeny |
RUS |
2646 |
. |
½ |
. |
|
1 |
. |
0 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
1½ |
2625 |
| 5 |
Vitiugov, Nikita |
RUS |
2594 |
½ |
. |
. |
0 |
|
. |
1 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
1½ |
2678 |
| 6 |
Inarkiev, Ernesto |
RUS |
2674 |
½ |
. |
½ |
. |
. |
|
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
½ |
1½ |
2662 |
| 7 |
Morozevich, Alexander |
RUS |
2755 |
. |
. |
. |
1 |
0 |
. |
|
. |
. |
½ |
. |
. |
1½ |
2650 |
| 8 |
Svidler, Peter |
RUS |
2732 |
. |
0 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
|
½ |
. |
1 |
. |
1½ |
2590 |
| 9 |
Amonatov, Farrukh |
TJK |
2637 |
. |
. |
0 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
½ |
|
. |
. |
1 |
1½ |
2694 |
| 10 |
Jakovenko, Dmitry |
RUS |
2710 |
0 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
½ |
. |
. |
|
. |
1 |
1½ |
2675 |
| 11 |
Dreev, Alexey |
RUS |
2607 |
. |
½ |
½ |
. |
. |
. |
. |
0 |
. |
. |
|
. |
1 |
2533 |
| 12 |
Timofeev, Artyom |
RUS |
2637 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
½ |
. |
. |
0 |
0 |
. |
|
½ |
2400 |
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Ronen's Winter Blunderland
 Sleigh
bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, We're happy tonight. Walking in a winter....blunderland?? The festive fun starts here on ICC with a special two part holiday show each of the next two Sundays from GM Ronen
Har-Zvi.
We're all prone to blunders - even the greats such as Capablanca, Alekhine, Fischer, Kasparov, Karpov and Kramnik. But with a dash of seasonal spirit, Ronen explores famous blunders from some of the top players in the game, explaining
why we make them and what we can do to prevent them.
Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview part one of Ronen's Winter Blunderland. This video is just one of the many benefits of being a full member of ICC - so, sign
up for membership!
GM Ronen Har-Zvi: "New Ideas in the Slav and Semi-Slav Defences"
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In a series of new opening videos for ICC Chess.FM, GM Ronen Har-Zvi investigates the latest developments and trends that will keep you up-to-date in the rock-solid Slav and Semi-Slav Defences.
Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview of both of Ronen's latest videos. To listen to the full videos, sign
up for membership!
Sneak preview of part 4.
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Attack with LarryC!
 New
at ICC Chess.FM - Attack With LarryC! A weekly 30 min+ show on Wednesdays at 15:00 EST (and available on-demand thereafter for members), featuring three-time U.S. Champion Larry Christiansen, one of the most dangerous and
respected attacking players of his generation.
Larry is a feared competitor and attacker who authored two popular books that showcase his aggressive style: Storming the Barricades and Rocking the Ramparts. And each week on his show, Larry will feature various attacking
motifs and themes and showing you how best to play for mate.
Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview of Larry's latest video. This video is just one of the many benefits of being a full
member of ICC - so, sign up for membership!
GM Joel Benjamin "Game of the Week"
 Three-time
U.S. Champion GM Joel Benjamin starts his weekly show every Friday at 15:00 Server Time. Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview
of Joel's latest show. To listen to the full show, sign up for membership!
Joel is regarded by many as one of the best commentators and analysts' we have in the game today, and each Friday he will be giving us his insight and spin with his selection of Game of the Week.
This is a not-to-be-missed 30-minute video is exclusively for ICC members only -- so if you want to get ahead of the game, get ready to tune-in! By popular demand and requests from members, ALL
of Joel Benjamin's GOTW videos are available. Enjoy!
"Chess Talk" with IM John Watson
 Tune-in for Chess Talk with IM John
Watson on ICC Chess.FM. John's weekly 60+ minute show (members only) will feature an interview with leading chess personalities.
John Watson is now on his holiday break and will return after Christmas with more topical guests for a Chess Talk. Throughout the holiday season though, we're re-running a "festive four" top GM interviews with Alexei
Shirov, Jan Timman, Nigel Short & Hikaru
Nakamura.
The shows:
Ask the Renaissance Man
 Tune-in
for "Ask the Renaissance Man" with National Master Dan Heisman every Thursday at 21:00 EST. You send in the questions and Dan provides the answers every week on his Q&A show. Questions on tournament rules, opening play,
chess books, chess politics, current events, and more!
Click "Play Video" for a free 5 minute preview of Dan's latest show. To listen to the full show, sign up for membership! |
Special Christmas Eve Tourney!
 December
24th at 18:00 server time, there will be a 20 round 3 0 prize tourney. The top two finishers will receive a one month extension, along with the top score for under 1600 rating. There will also be a random drawing to award a one month extension to
a random player who participated in the tourney. Come on out and join us! Ho, ho, ho, we'll see you there!
Friday Unrated Blitz!
 Like
playing blitz, but prefer to play an unrated tourney? Well, this is the tourney for you! Every single Friday, without fail, a 5 0 swiss 7 round tourney opens in Tomato! The fun begins at 18:00 server time, so get there a few minutes early and "tell
tomato join"! Don't miss it!
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Thematic Championship Recap!
 The
4 2 thematic championship final was contested in a triple elimination format. IM JonLudvig captured the championship in impressive fashion, winning every single game he played en route to the victory!
Taking second place was
kolding, while the third place went to akibael. In the under 2000 section, this year's champion was Alphalegacy who edged out runner-up stefcarmen in the decisive game. Join us next December for the 2008 Thematic Championships!
 Tourney Tip of the Week:
The command "tell <bot> games" allows you to see all the games being played in the current round of the tournament. You can click on a game to observe that game. You can also get a good
idea of how close the round is to being completed. Example: Tell tomato games. |
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Christmas TREE #1
White mates in 2
Christmas TREE #3
White mates in 3
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Christmas TREE #2
White mates in 2
Christmas TREE #4
White mates in 4
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Garry Kasparov on Modern Chess: Revolution in the 70's - Garry Kasparov
Great Titles @ Great Prices! This book is the first in a brand new series that follows on from My Great Predecessors and sees chess legend Garry Kasparov reflecting on a pivotal time in chess history. Bobby Fischer's spurt towards the chess summit (1970-1972) marked the approach of a new era affecting all aspects of the game and opening theory in particular. Fischer demonstrated the need for deep preparation with both colours, expanded the range of openings knowledge, and laid the foundations for present-day professional chess.
Read
more
List $45.00
Price $32.00 - Buy
now!
Chess Highlights of the 20th Century - Graham Burgess
Great Titles @ Great Prices! Like the rest of the world, the game of chess has changed enormously during the 20th century. This book surveys the developments by focusing on the top events, greatest achievements and most brilliant games, year-by-year.
Read
more
Was $27.95
Price $15.00 - Buy
now!
50 Ways to Wins at Chess - Steve Giddins
In a sequel to the hugely successful 50 Essential Chess Lessons, Steve Giddins now presents 50 games that each illustrate an important winning method. This engaging and highly readable book is a painless way to build your personal arsenal of techniques and ideas. The games are mostly from the modern era, but with a few classic examples chosen to show key themes in as clear a way as possible.
Read
more
Price $24.95 - Buy
now!
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Grandmaster Secrets: Winning Quickly at Chess - John Nunn
John Nunn selects 125 of the finest short decisive grandmaster games of the modern era.
For a grandmaster to lose a game in 25 moves or fewer takes something special, and club players can learn a great deal from studying these miniatures. Each of these games is a true battle, with the result often in doubt until near the very end of
the struggle. Read more
Price $27.95 - Buy
now!
Grandmaster Secrets: The Caro-Kann - Peter Wells
The Caro-Kann is one of the most popular responses to 1 e4. Black stakes a claim to the central squares and seeks free development for all his pieces. While solid, it is by no means a drawing weapon - the resulting positions generally
contain at least a degree of imbalance and the critical lines lead to sharp positions with chances for both sides. Many new approaches for both sides have been developed in recent years, and a good understanding of these ideas is vital for anyone
looking to handle either side of the Caro with success. Read more
Price $27.95 - Buy
now!
Perfect Your Chess - Volokitin/Grabinsky
Great Titles @ Great Prices! Andrei Volokitin is one of a rare breed of players: he achieved a ranking in the world's top 20 while still a teenager, playing dynamic and often brilliant chess. Although we cannot
all aspire to emulate his achievements, there is much that we can learn from his training methods, his games and his general approach to chess. These topics are the subject of this book, written in collaboration with his trainer.
Read more
Was $28.95
Price $22.00 - Buy
now!
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Solution to TREE #1
1.Qc5 Rxc5 [1...Rxe4 2.Qc8#; 1...Bxe4 2.Nf4#] 2.Nd4#
Solution to TREE #3
1.Re3 dxe3 [1...fxe3 2.g3 e2 3.f4#] 2.c3 e2 3.d4# |
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Solution to TREE #2
1.f8N+ Kxf6 2.dxe8N#
Solution to TREE #4
1.Kxc7 Kb4 [1...Kd4 2.Ng4 Kc5 3.Qe3+ Kb4 4.Ne5 Ka5 5.Nc6#] 2.Kb6 Kb3 3.Nd1 Ka2 4.Qb2# |
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays To All at the ICC!
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