Emory Tate, Bryan Smith and Salvijus Bercys

At the first FIDE congress of the year (January 27-28, Antalya, Turkey)Bryan Smith, Emory Tate and Salvijus Bercys received their IM titles. Frank Berry and Jon Haskel earned International Organizer titles.
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IM Jesse Kraai

Last month in Oakland, Jesse Kraai and Lev Milman tied for first in the East Bay Masters, (Dec.16-23, Oakland) each earning their second GM norms. Jesse Kraai reports on the exciting new crop of norm opportunities in the U.S, and the fighting chess that ensues.
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Aronian by Edwin Woudt , Radjabov by Macauley Peterson, and Topalov by Carla Amse.

Levon Aronian, Veselin Topalov and Teimour Radjabov tied for first in Corus Wijk Aan Zee. Aronian was the hero this round,out-calculating Dutch Champ Sergei Tiviakov in a wild game to join the winners circle with 8.5.
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Photo Macauley Peterson

The much-awaited Topalov-Kramnik Wijk Aan Zee face-off ended in a draw today. Macauley Peterson reports.
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IM Irina Krush and U.S. Senior Champ Joseph Bradford in the first round of Gibraltar. Photo Cathy Rogers

A star-studded American contingent including GMs Nakamura, Kaidanov and Ehlvest is playing in the Gibtelecom Masters(Jan.23-Feb.1), fighting for a $20,000+ grand prize. Irina Krush leads the Americans in fireworks, with a round 1 win over Vladimir Akopian (2700). Check out games and Irina's photo gallery.
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Topalov's second (Cheparinov) and manager (Danailov) are concerned. Photo Macauley Peterson

Wijk Aan Zee became a free for all today when Peter Svidler defeated Topalov in a tight rook ending. Svidler, Aronian and Radjabov are now at Topalov's heels, with Kramnik and Anand just behind.
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Photos H.Rumph and J.Okada

GM Joel answers a question from WFM Elizabeth Vicary on the Grand Prix and also gives some general advice on how to study openings. Read the submission guidelines and ask GM Joel a question of your own.

After ten rounds, Topalov is a point ahead of the field. Photo Macauley Peterson

Topalov is now leading by a full point in Wijk Aan Zee(Jan.12-28), but Anand is on a roll with two straight wins. Macauley Peterson checks in, bringing us the latest photos, quotes, predictions and games.
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Lev Milman won his second GM norm at the East Bay Masters. Photo Jacob Okada

Highlights of Greg's premiere, bi-monthly article on America's top ten juniors are his musings on which juniors will become Grandmasters and which will likely be distracted by other opportunities. He also kicks off the race between IMs Lev Milman and Josh Friedel, both of whom are chasing their final GM norms.
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GM Melikset Khachiyan, co-winner of the Western Class with GM Alex Yermolinsky. Photo Lola Nunn

Jerry Hanken's Western Class Championships report(Jan.12-16, L.A. area, California) includes two thrilling games from the co-winners, Armenian-Americans GM Melikset Khachiyan and IM Andranik Matikozyan.
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Photo courtesy chessvibes.com

In a dramatic eighth round at Corus (Wijk Aan Zee,Holland January 12-28), Topalov leapfrogged into first with a win against Anand. Meanwhile Radjabov, who has been leading since the first round, lost a tough game to Aronian.
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After seven rounds, Radjabov leads with 5.5/7. Topalov is just half a point behind. Photo Cathy Rogers

Onsite at Wijk Aan Zee (January 12-28), GM Ian Rogers weighs in at the halfway mark. The surprising leader after seven rounds is Teimor Radjabov-Ian discusses Radjabov's second half challenges, and annotates gems by Van Wely and the youngest Grandmaster in the World.
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In his first column of the year, Dr.Steven Dowd challenges newcomers to the problem world to dip into the world of set-plays and try-plays. For those looking for a traditional challenge, this month's column still contains pretty and elusive mates in two and three.
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Right about now, USCF Members are pulling out their cell phones and address books to search for a first or fourth board for their local U.S. Amateur Team. (There are four concurrent U.S. Amateur Team events:East, North, West and South; Adding to the team spirit of the season is the U.S. Chess League's call for applications(Deadline Feb 1) for two new teams.
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Photo courtesy of Clint Ballard

Does coming to Las Vegas make you want to stay in Las Vegas? Cuban-American GM Julio Becerra defected to America at the 1999 World Championship in Las Vegas. Now living in Miami, the 2006 U.S. Chess League MVP is a coach and a serious student of the game. Read more in Julio Becerra's bio, the newest addition to our Top Player Bio Gallery.
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GMs Jaan Ehlvest and Alexander Ivanov. Photos Jennifer Shahade

Four Grandmasters entered The Liberty Bell Open (Jan. 12-15, Philadelphia) and two, Jaan Ehlvest and Alexander Ivanov shared top honors with 5.5/7. Ivanov's positional finesse over IM elect Bryan Smith was a highlight.
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