 The Mainz Event!
Get ready for the annual extravaganza
(see main picture!) that we've come to love and know as
the Chess Classic in Mainz, Germany, which runs July 28th
to August 3rd. It includes a cornucopia of tournaments and
Opens in traditional and Random Chess with the main(z) event,
the Grenke-Leasing Rapid Chess World Championship featuring
the current World Champion and world #1 Vishy Anand,
the unofficial world #2 Magnus Carlsen
of Norway, Russian maestro Alexander Morozevich
and the strongest female player of all time, Judit
Polgar.
The Ordix and FiNet Opens features a galaxy of grandmaster stars, including the young American Hikaru Nakamura (Smallville), who last month won the ICC Mainz Qualifier to book his berth in the tournaments. Nakamura will be up against the likes of 2700+ players Sergei Movsesian and Pavel Eljanov, with 16 players with a rating of 2650+ also registered, among them Anand's second Peter Heine Nielsen, Vladimir Akopian, Alexander Motylev, Krishnan Sasikiran and the former FIDE-World Champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov.
There are a number of Chess 960 events, one a Woman World Championship, and the 4th Livingston Chess960 Computer World Championship, featuring top engines such as reigning champion Rybka and Shredder, and ICC qualifiers Naum and Deep Sjeng all among the top seeds.
 ICC
will have a live relay of all the games of the Grenke-Leasing
Rapid Chess World Championship including a daily GOTD service.
Full
ICC schedule.
More Links:
Barcelona!
In the past year we've had Dos Hermanas,
Mainz and most recently the Brunei Blitz - and now comes
another exclusively online blitz event for ICC members:
the 1st
Barcelona Sants Open 2008 Internet Qualifier, running
July 31 - 1 August, with the 16-player final taking place
on Sunday, August 3.
We have on offer a top prize of return
air-ticket, free hotel, breakfast and entry for the overall
winner; 500 Euro (approx. $785) and free entries to the
Sants Open for the next three places; plus ICC extension
prizes totaling 48 months.
- 1st prize: Round-trip air
travel (*conditions apply - see below) t0 Barcelona, plus
hotel including breakfast for the duration of the
Sants
Open in Barcelona, plus free entry to Sants Open
- 2nd prize: 300 Euro,
plus free entry to Sants Open
- 3rd/4th prize: 100
Euro each, plus free entry to Sants Open
- 5th-8th prize: 6
months ICC extensions
- Eight 3 months ICC extension prizes
will be raffled between all participants who orderly finish
a qualifier, two in every qualifier.
- Please note that there is no cash
equivalent for the round-trip air travel for 1st prize
to Barcelona. Should the winner be unable to accept
the invitation to Barcelona, he/she will forfeit this
prize - also note that other ICC conditions apply for
main prize, so please check further in Rules
& Guidelines. ICC reserves the right to award
the main prize to another player in that case. Also, 2nd,
3rd and 4th prizes can be paid directly by wire transfer.
Qualifiers
There will be four Qualifier tournaments with the following schedule:
- Qualifier 1: Thursday, July 31, 11:30am
- Qualifier 2: Thursday, July 31, 2:30pm
- Qualifier 3: Friday, August 1, 11:30am
- Qualifier 4: Friday, August 1, 2:30pm
Above times are server time (New York). There is a 6 hours difference to CET. Starting times in CET are 17:30 and 20:30, respectively. All qualifiers will be Swiss 9 rounds rated tournaments. The time control will be 3 0. You can play in as many qualifiers as you like - so remember to book the dates in your diary now!
Rules & Guidelines for this exclusive qualifier for ICC members can be found here.
Are
You a Member of the USCF?
 In a new sponsorship deal with the United
States Chess Federation, ALL current members of the USCF
will qualify for a free 6-month membership! For new WCL
members, simply check the USCF Member box and enter your
USCF membership number and PIN on the WCL
registration page. If you're already registered with
WCL, go to your
account page and use the USCF link at the bottom.
WCL is the new sponsor of the USCF's
2008 Grand Prix and 2008 Junior Grand Prix. We're providing
prize funds of $20,000 and $7,500, respectively, and will
also be running Online Grand Prix events all year, beginning
in April, open only to USCF members. So what are you waiting
for? Sign up now for your FREE 6 month membership to World
Chess Live and start winning those Grand Prix points!
So what are you waiting for? Come join
the growing USCF community at WCL and take part in all the
activities.
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NM Dan Heisman "Improve Your Chess"
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National Master Dan Heisman is a
name that is synonymous with excellence in chess coaching
and teaching.
Over the years, Dan has produced
many winning students and scholastic teams - and now
he can help you, too! In this series of five instructional
videos for ICC Chess.FM, Dan brings you his innovative
teaching methods on how to play better chess - and
all packed with sound advice from the maestro himself. |
1. Introduction to Safety and Counting
(below 1500) -- Watch
now
2. Introduction to Time Management (all players)
3. Introduction to Thought Process (800-1800)
4. Common Evaluation Misconceptions (1000-2200)
5. Is It Safe? (below 1900) - this video is a follow-up
to "Introduction to Safety and Counting"
These 5 videos are available exclusively
for ICC members - but as a special launch promotion, non-members
can view for free Dan's
first video in full. To view the other four video in
the series, sign
up for membership!
Mondays: GM Ronen Har-Zvi "New Ideas
in the Petroff's Defense"
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The Petroff Defence (sometimes
called the Russian Defence, and named after Russia's
Alexander Petrov, 1794-1867) is considered as one
of Black's most reliable and solid methods of meeting
the king's pawn opening. It is easy to play and an
excellent choice for someone looking for an alternative
to the Scotch Opening, the Italian Game and the ‘Spanish
torture’ of the Ruy Lopez.
Until a few years ago, the Petroff was an opening that was favored by only a few top Grandmasters, including Anatoly Karpov and Artur Yusupov. However, the last few years have seen a dramatic rise in its popularity, and it now provides battlefields for many top clashes of the modern elite players, including Anand, Kramnik, Leko, Topalov, and Shirov. And in the latest of his "New Ideas in..." series, GM Ronen Har-Zvi, takes a closer look under the microscope at the solid Petroff. |
Click here for a free 5 minute preview of Ronen's latest video. To
listen to the full videos, sign
up for membership!
Tuesdays: 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. All shows run on demand
for members after airing.
This week (Tue., 22 July), joining IM John Watson on Chess Talk is author, columnist, coach and professional player, IM Gary Lane.
A former two-time Commonwealth Chess Champion, English-born Gary Lane married and moved "Down Under" to Australia in 2000. He has since won the 2004 Australian Chess Championship, and represented Australia in the 2002 and 2004 Chess Olympiad, the latter of which he helped his new team to a stunning 2-2 draw against former team England, after he sensationally beat Nigel Short.
He's also considered one of the leading chess authors in the world.
He has written over 20 books - many of which have been critically acclaimed,
such as Improve
Your Chess in 7 Days, The
Bishop's Opening and The
Scotch Game Explained. He also writes the popular Opening
Lanes monthly column on ChessCafe.com.
Find below a selection of free 5-minute
previews of the latest shows. To listen to the full shows, sign
up for membership! |
Wednesdays: Attack with LarryC!
 New
at ICC Chess.FM - Attack With LarryC! A
weekly 30 min+ show on Wednesdays at 15:00 EDT (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. By popular demand from members, we are now archiving
previous Attack
with LarryC shows. This video is just one of the many
benefits of being a full member of ICC - so, sign
up for membership!
Thursdays: Ask the Renaissance Man
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Tune-in for "Ask the Renaissance Man" with National Master Dan Heisman every Thursday at 21:00 EDT. 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! |
And this week for non-members, you can listen to the full show for free by clicking here. So, all the more reason to become a member now and get to listen each week to all the shows on ICC Chess.FM!
Thursdays: Boris Alterman's Gambit Guide
Israeli GM Boris Alterman is best known as a leading chess advisor for the multi-title
winning chess software program (Deep) Junior, where he specialized
in developing its opening book.
Fridays: 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 not-to-be-missed weekly video
series is exclusive 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! |
New in Chess Yearbook 87 - Soft Cover Edition
 The chess players guide to opening news, this issue contains articles on:
* Vasily Ivanchuk astonishes again with a queen sac in the Najdorf.
* Survive the Polugaevsky Gambit with EuroChamp Sergey Tiviakov.
* Ever the Jaenisch Ruy Lopez will do for Teimour Radjabov.
* Alexander Morozevich defies all chess laws in the Nimzo-Indian.
and dozens of other opening secrets and surprise weapons.
246 Pages.
Price $28.95 -  Buy now!
Dangerous Weapons: The Benoni and Benko - Palliser, Emms, Ward and Jones
 Are you tired of playing the same old openings time and time again? Perhaps it's time for a change, but you cannot decide between the numerous options available? Here's the answer: choose Dangerous Weapons and amaze your opponents with new and exciting opening ideas!
In this book, four renowned opening experts get together to take a revolutionary look at the Benoni, the Benko and all their associated variations. Instead of travelling down well-trodden and analysed paths, they concentrate on fresh or little-explored variations, selecting a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both colors. Whether playing White or Black, a study of this book will leave you confident and fully-armed, and your opponents running for cover!
270 pages, soft cover.
Price $25.95 - Buy
now! |
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Flexible French, The - Moskalenko
 The famous French Defense is one of the most widely-played chess openings. It is a fighting opening, which perfectly suits many club players as well as a growing number of top player.
The Flexible French is a revolutionary repertoire book for both Black and White. Viktor Moskalenko presents a wealth of original and dynamic options in every main line, proving that the French is a very lively and intriguing defense.
The Ukrainian grandmaster’s analysis is high-level, yet his touch is light and fresh, and the book sparkles with original ideas. In his own inimitable style, Moskalenko gives the reader new gusto for the French.
This extremely accessible book rounds off with seven relatively unknown weapons, early deviations with which you may surprise your opponent – as Black or as White!
280 pages, soft cover.
Price $24.95 - Buy
now!
1000 Combinations - Pinter
 Subtitled: The Key to Better Calculation
Another in the '1000 ...' series from GM Jozsef Pinter - for other titles in the series see the related products at the bottom of this page.
Using the same languageless approach as Informator the book presents a thousand combinations split into thematic sections and graded by difficulty so that they gradually get harder as you progress through the sections. The solutions (in algebraic notation) give multiple variations of defense.
All the material for the book has come from actual chess games, ranging from 1850 on to 2007 - but with a slightly heavy bias towards positions from the 1990's. Aimed at players rated between 1600 up to 2300.
310 pages, hard cover.
Price $39.95 - Buy
now! |
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