Home Join ICC Help Center Activities ICC Webcast Resources Store
Top Story

itit Dresden at Night
   itit Chess.FM Blog
   itit Olympiad GOTD
itit ICC Chess.FM Videos
itit ICC Store

itit Past issues

ICC Weekly Newsletter Vol. III – Issue XLVII November 21, 2008it
it

it

Main Story Dresden at Night: 38th Chess Olympiad

Win More Games

The main image of today's newsletter comes from noted chess photographer Fred Lucas, and is a Dresden river scene at night. Dresden in Germany is the scene for the 38th Chess Olympiad, where remarkably we could be seeing history repeat itself.

In 2006, the tiny chess-mad nation of Armenia surprised everyone by capturing their first Olympiad gold-medal in Turin, Italy. And now, the defending champions are on course for a repeat performance after they sensationally defeated top seeds Russia in round seven. And after beating France in round eight, Armenia remain at the top on 15/16, a point ahead of Israel, with Ukraine and Russia still in the medal hunt on 13-points. Russia bounced back into a medal contention after beating USA 2.5-1.5.

In round 9, Saturday, Nov. 22, the top pairings will be: 1. Armenia vs. Israel, 2. Poland vs. Germany 1, 3. Russia vs. Ukraine. Play starts at 9am ET, and you can follow the action live here on ICC! So why not join ICC today and get all the Olympiad action right here, right now!

ICC Chess.FM Blog

You can read more about the clash of the Cold war rivals of Russia vs. USA in ICC's new Chess.FM blog! Anyone can read the blog, but ONLY ICC members can login to leave comments. Other features in the blog include Macauley Peterson's video reporting direct from Dresden, where he's given Chess.FM scoops on the Kamsky-Topalov match, and also provided audio and video from GMs Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Fabiano Caruana (Italy), IM David Smerdon (Australia), Alejandro Ramírez Álvarez (Costa Rica), Baadur Jobava (Georgia), Wang Hao and Hou Yifan (China), and Georg Meier (Germany).

GAME OF THE DAY (1st Video - Free to all, All Videos - ONLY FREE TO MEMBERS)
Chess Olympiad Dresden 2008
Date
Round
Player Names
ECO
Commentator
GOTD
Podcast
(audio & video)
Thursday, November 13
1
A25
English
Larry Christiansen
Friday, November 14
2
A04
Modern Defence
Larry Christiansen
Saturday, November 15
3
E97
King's Indian
Joel Benjamin
Sunday, November 16
4
C43
Petrov
Joel Benjamin
Monday, November 17
5
B76
Sicilian
Larry Christiansen
Wednesday, November 19
6
D16
QGD Slav
Joel Benjamin
Thursday, November 20
7
A49
King's Indian
Larry Christiansen
Friday, November 21
8
B90
Sicilian
Ronen Har-Zvi
Saturday, November 22
9
-
-
Joel Benjamin
Sunday, November 23
10
-
-
Ronen Har-Zvi
Tuesday, November 25
11
-
-
Joel Benjamin

it
ICC Chess.FM
it

Mondays: GM Ronen Har-Zvi's "Unusual Queen Pawn Openings"

Ronen - Unusual Queen Pawn Openings

In his “New Ideas in....” regular video series for ICC Chess.FM, GM Ronen Har-Zvi investigates the latest developments and trends in those downright annoying and unusual Queen Pawn openings that avoid the main battle-lines with 2 c4.

Are you searching for a quick-fix against the Colle-Zukertort, Torre Attack, London System, QB Attack with 2 Bg5, Stonewall Attack or perhaps the King's Fianchetto Attack with 1 d4 2 Nf3 3 g3 (without c4)? Then look no further as Ronen gives you an easy-to-play antidote to all those annoying 1 d4 openings.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13

To view all the videos in full, sign-up for your free trial membership today!

Tuesdays: Chess Talk with IM John Watson

John Watson Show Tune-in for Chess Talk with IM John Watson on ICC Chess.FM. John's weekly 60+ minute show will feature an interview with leading chess personalities. All shows run on demand for members after airing.

This week (Tue., Nov.18), joining John is former British champion, coach, author and Salsa dancer extraordinaire, GM Chris Ward.

Chris won the British championship in 1996, earning the Grandmaster title in the process. He is a highly respected coach, teaching in schools and previously the England Woman's squad.

He's also a recognized expert in the Sicilian Dragon with two well-received books on it. Other hit titles include the DVD Beating all the Anti-Sicilians, Dangerous Weapons series (as co-author): The Queen's Gambit and The Nimzo-Indian, and the instructive test yourself hit, It's Your Move.

Wednesdays: Attack with LarryC!

Attack with LarryCNew 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. To view all the videos in full, sign-up for your free trial membership today!

Thursdays: Ask the Renaissance Man

Heisman  

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. To listen to all the shows in full, sign-up for your free trial membership today!

Thursdays: Boris Alterman's Gambit Guide

Boris Alterman  

In his weekly video lecture series for ICC, Boris Alterman's Gambit Guide, Boris investigates gambits old and new and show that, while some may not be actively played on the grandmaster circuit these days, they are all exciting to play and at the same time instructive as they teach us all about natural development of the pieces and tactics in chess. GM Boris Alterman has just opened his official blog where, among other things, he'll be discussing some of his choices for his Gambit Guide.

Latest Show Previews:
Chatard-Alekine Attack French Defence Part I

To view all the videos in full, sign-up for your free trial membership today!

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"

GM Joel Benjamin Game of the WeekThree-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. To view all the videos in full, sign-up for your free trial membership today! By popular demand and requests from members, ALL of Joel Benjamin's GOTW videos are available. Enjoy!

it

it


My 60 Memorable Games - Bobby Fischer

ICC Store A rare window into the mind of a chess icon, My 60 Memorable Games is perhaps the most inspirational and influential chess book ever written.

First published in 1969, it contains Bobby Fischer's objective, honest and self-critical annotations to games he had won, drawn and even lost in the period from 1957 to 1967 but from which he had also learned valuable lessons.

In contrast with the previous edition of this book, no alterations have been made to the text other than the conversion of moves into algebraic notation, making this an updated yet accurate reflection of the original book.

Save $5 with special ICC Offer!

Price $32.95 - it  Buy now!

it

Play the Sicilian Kan - Johan Hellsten

ICC Store The Kan is an ideal choice as an opening weapon against 1 e4, as it is one of the easiest variations of the Sicilian to learn and play. This is because, unlike some variations of the Sicilian, you don't need to memorize loads of opening theory in order to be successful. The Kan is relatively theory free in the traditional sense, and success is more likely to occur through the understanding of development systems and a deep study of the tactical and positional ideas for both sides.

Written by a renowned Kan expert.

Price $23.95 - it  Buy now!

it

it

Greatest Ever Chess Tricks and Traps, The - Gary Lane

ICC Store There is no easier way to win a game of chess than by luring your opponent into a devious trap. Similarly, there's nothing worse than being the one on the receiving end. Tricks, traps and swindles lie in wait everywhere, especially so in the opening phase of the game, and many battles can be won or saved simply through learning and mastering the most important ones.

In this instructive and fun book, Gary Lane looks back through chess history and at modern times to create a list of his own favourite tricks and traps. Selecting from hundreds of contenders, Lane examines a variety of factors in order to decide which ideas are most worthy of inclusion. Discover the stories behind the most cunning tricks and traps of all time; how you can utilize them to score easy wins; and how you can avoid being tricked yourself.

234 pages, soft cover .

Price $22.95 - it  Buy now!

it

Rampant Chess - Geoff Chandler and Keith Ruxton

ICC Store "Rampant Chess" is a collection of games played by 13 Scottish Masters annotated with an eye to humour and entertainment value which so many games collections lack. Each has at least 5 games in this book, and all of the games are definitely worth looking at. This book sets a style which others are bound to mimic as its approach makes it easy to read and understand.

200 pages, soft cover, foreward by GM Jonathan Rowson.

Price $25.95 - it  Buy now!

Don't miss Special Offers from the ICC store!