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ICC Weekly Newsletter Vol. III – Issue XLVIII November 28, 2008it
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Main Story Olympiad Finale

Win More Games

The tiny chess-mad nation of Armenia clinched the gold medal at the 38th Olympiad in Dresden, as they successfully defended their title by retaining the Hamilton Russell Cup with a final score of 19/22.

But in a moment of high-drama at the Olympiad, a spectacular last round meltdown from Ukraine - - who were joint overnight leaders with Armenia - saw the silver medal going to Israel. Second seeds Ukraine were routed 3.5-0.5 by the USA in their worst Olympiad score ever, as the USA snatched the bronze medal on tiebreak from the 2004 Olympiad champions.

And for the third Olympiad running, top seeds Russia finished out of the medal hunt, despite sending their strongest-ever Olympiad squad.

In the women's section, Georgia rolled back the years to pull off a first victory since 1996 in Yerevan. Led by former world champion GM Maya Chiburdanidze - who also took the individual gold medal for her performance on top board - the Georgians clinched gold and the Vera Menchik Cup on tiebreak, ahead of defending champions Ukraine, with the big surprise of a double joy for USA as they took bronze on tiebreak from top-seeds Russia and Poland.

You can read more about the Olympiad 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. There's also audio and video from Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), Magnus Carlsen (Norway), Boris Gelfand (Israel) , Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Boris Spassky (France), Fabiano Caruana (Italy), Varuzhan Akobian (USA), Irina Krush (USA), Alejandro Ramírez Álvarez (Costa Rica), David Smerdon (Australia), 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
A29
English
Joel Benjamin
Sunday, November 23
10
B12
Caro-Kann
Ronen Har-Zvi
Tuesday, November 25
11
D90
Grunfeld
Joel Benjamin

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ICC Chess.FM
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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 | Part 14

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.25), joining John will be Calvin Olson, a chess teacher, Correspondence Chess Master and historian. Olson has also served as a freelance proofreader for chess books (including several for Random House). His book, The Chess Kings Volume One is the result of 30 years of studying chess, followed by 10 years of research and writing.

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  Part 2

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!

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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!

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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!

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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. 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!

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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!