Ask GM Joel a question of your own!

Amon Simutowe Wins Third Norm
By Jennifer Shahade | 27 Aug 2007
Zambian born, Dallas resident Amon Simutowe made his third GM norm at the Euwe Stimulans tournament. (Arnhem, the Netherlands, August 17-26, 2007). Amon just graduated from University of Texas at Dallas, and since then he has been searching for his final norm.

4-Way Tie in Atlantic Open
By Michael Atkins | 27 Aug 2007
IM Benjamin Finegold, IM Mikhail Zlotnikov, Anton P.Del Mundo and Chris J. Mabe tied for first at the Atlantic Open (August 24-26, Washington D.C.) Virginia junior Adithya Balasubramanian also had a notable tournament, gaining over 30 points to jump over 2200.

Renier Makes Third Norm in Spain
By Jennifer Shahade | 24 Aug 2007
Renier Gonzalez of Miami just made his third GM norm at the Banyolos Chess Festival (August 16-24) in Spain. Read more about Renier's road to the GM title.

USCL Kicks off on Monday
By Jennifer Shahade | 24 Aug 2007
The third season of the U.S. Chess League begins on Monday at 7 PM EST with a match-up between the two new teams, the Queens Pioneers led by Alexander Stripunsky and Ildar Ibragimov and the NJ Knockouts led by Joel Benjamin. Also adding to the excitement this year is Hikaru Nakamura, who joined the NY Knights.

Interview with a Mayor Chess Player
By Tim Steiner | 22 Aug 2007
Kansas City area chess coach Tim Steiner interviews Kansas City mayor Mark Funkhouser. "The Funk" doesn't just talk a big chess game- he takes it very seriously, calling chess the only fun thing he does, and choosing his local chess club as the spot to watch his election returns come in.

Prawns & Pawns in Singapore
By Linda Inouye | 22 Aug 2007
Eight talented Californian junior players traveled to Singapore for the World Youth U16 Olympiad (August 4-12). The parents, spearheaded by Linda Ionuye, compiled a blog from this exotic and grueling chess trip.

August Junior Rating Update
By IM Greg Shahade | 21 Aug 2007
In the August rating update for juniors, Greg talks about why there aren't more awards like the Samford, replacing university chemistry class with "Closed Postions" and how many of our top ten juniors will become GMs before the age of 25.

Joel Johnson Wins U.S. Senior
By Charles Hatherill | 20 Aug 2007
Joel Johnson won clear first in the U.S. Senior Open (August 14-19) with 5.5/6. The players had a wonderful time at the beautiful resort hotel, La Quinta, in Palm Springs.

Kritz Wins New England Masters
By Betsy Dynako/Jennifer Shahade | 20 Aug 2007
23-year-old GM Leonid Kritz of Germany won the New England Masters (August 13-17) with 7/9. Read full story for more photos and interviews by Betsy Dynako and the exciting games from the 2nd half, including Dean Ippolito's tenacious win against Shabalov.

Joel on Computers Without Openings
By GM Joel Benjamin | 18 Aug 2007
GM Joel Benjamin answers a question opening book and computers, using Ehlvest's and his own match against Rybka as examples.

Ask GM Joel a question of your own!

Googling the Grandmasters
By Dr.Dowd | 17 Aug 2007
In his August "check-up", Dr.Dowd tells us what happens when you google problem legends. He also presents eight problems from an online solving magazine, Echquier Belge and reveals the answers to his July column, "Summer Minis."

Kritz and Shabalov Lead NE Masters
By Jennifer Shahade | 16 Aug 2007
German GM Leonid Kritz and U.S. Champion Alexander Shabalov lead the New England Masters (August 13-17) with 4/5 each. Read full story for games and a photo series by Betsy Dynako.

Update: GM Leonid Kritz wins New England Masters with 7/9. Full report coming soon.

U.S. Senior Open Underway
By Charles Hatherill | 16 Aug 2007
After two rounds of the U.S. Senior Open (La Quinta, California August 14-19), four players are tied for first with 2-0 scores, while top seed IM Walter Shipman ceded a draw.

Kaidanov on the U.S. Chess School
By GM Gregory Kaidanov | 15 Aug 2007
In late July, eight of America's top juniors arrived in Lexington, Kentucky for the fourth session of the U.S. Chess School. Coach GM Gregory Kaidanov writes about the week-long intensive (but also fun) training session.

Onischuk On Biel Tiebreak
By GM Alexander Onischuk | 14 Aug 2007
At the Biel International Chess Festival (July 21-August 2), Alexander Onischuk had his third stellar tournament in a row, tying for first with Magnus Carlsen. Here Alex shows us his humble side, by focusing on his loss in the tiebreak match.

U.S. Senior Open Begins Tomorrow
By Jennifer Shahade | 13 Aug 2007
The U.S. Senior Open (August 14-19) begins tomorrow in Palm Springs, California at the luxurious La Quinta resort. James Eade from California is the top preregistered seed.

Adventures of a Samford Fellow
By IM Josh Friedel | 13 Aug 2007
In the second installment of Josh Friedel's adventures of a Samford Fellow, Josh shares games and tales from the World Open and the Konig Memorial. He also shows us a problem he composed in the shower, and prepares for the New England Masters.

Gata Leads August Charts
By IM Greg Shahade | 10 Aug 2007
In the latest adult rating list update, Greg Shahade asks for readers input in whether any U.S. player will break 2800 in the next ten years. Other highlights of this segment include Gata's return to the number one spot, and much upward movement among the women.

Melik Takes Edmonton
By IM John Donaldson | 9 Aug 2007
Melik Khachian of Los Angeles won the 2nd Edmonton International (August 2-6), a category 4 round robin. GM-elect Jesse Kraii came clear second. Third place finisher John Donaldson provides a report and in-depth annotations, including comments by Melik!

7-Way Tie in U.S. Open
By Jennifer Shahade | 6 Aug 2007
There was a seven-way tie in the U.S. Open(Cherry Hill, NJ July 28-August 5). Boris Gulko, Alexander Shabalov, Sergey Kudrin, Benjamin Finegold, Michael Rohde, Michael Mulyar and Anton Del Mundo all scored 7.5/9, good for $2263. Gulko won the title on tiebreak. See our final report for games and photos.

August Chess Life Released (Members Only)
By USCF | 6 Aug 2007
The August Chess Life Magazine features recently crowned U.S. Champion Alexander Shabalov in one of our most exciting covers ever. Unfortunately, the magazine's full availability online is delayed, but you can sign on as a member to download the pgn file.

GM Joel on Playing by the Book
By GM Joel Benjamin | 6 Aug 2007
"Confused Chris from Ohio" writes into GM Joel Benjamin because he followed a Two Knights Defense line from MCO but wasn't happy with the final position. Joel provides concrete analysis and advice on how to use opening book evaluations. Ask GM Joel a question of your own!

New USCF Board Elects Officers
By USCF | 6 Aug 2007
Newly elected USCF officers for 2007 - 2009 include Bill Goichberg as president and Susan Polgar as Chairman. Read full story for other positions.

Abby Blogs from Cherry Hill
By Abby Marshall | 5 Aug 2007
At the U.S. Open, Abby Marshall (2037) had a breakthrough tournament, defeating three masters in the final three rounds and finishing with 7/9. Here she blogs on aggressive women players, Cherry Hill hotel hunting and why she didn't defend her Polgar title.

U.S. Open Update: seven-way tie for first place with Shabalov, Gulko, Finegold, Kudrin,Rohde, Mulyar and Anton Del Mundo. Full report coming soon.

Five Tied at the Top in Cherry Hill
By Jennifer Shahade | 5 Aug 2007
GMs Alexander Shabalov, Boris Gulko, Sergei Kudrin and Michael Rohde and IM Ben Finegold are tied for first in the U.S. Open (Cherry Hill, NJ July 28-August 5) with 7/8. The final round is at 3 PM EST.

Warren Harper Wins Denker
By Jennifer Shahade | 4 Aug 2007
Texas representative Warren Harper took clear first in the Denker Tournament of High School Champions, with 5.5/6. He wins a full, four-year scholarship to Texas Tech University.

Julia and Eunice Win Polgar!
By Jennifer Shahade | 4 Aug 2007
Julia Kerr of Queens, New York and Eunice Rodriguez of Miami, Florida tied for first in the Susan Polgar Invitational for Girls. (July 28-August 3) The two co-champs and third place finisher Louiza Livschitz all earned 4-year, full scholarships to Texas Tech University.

Amon Wins Again; Alisa Wows
By Jennifer Shahade | 2 Aug 2007
Amon Simutowe and Benjamin Finegold lead the U.S. Open with 6-0. Amon beat top seed Nakamura while Finegold dispatched Justin Sarkar. 16-year-old Alisa Melekhina impresses with 5.5/6 and back to back upset wins over Braden Bournival and Thomas Bartell.

Polgar and Denker Down to Wire
By Jennifer Shahade | 2 Aug 2007
Louiza Livschitz of California leads the Susan Polgar Invitational for Girls while Warren Harper of Texas leads the Denker tournament of High School Champions.

Update: Julia Kerr (#1 on tiebreak) and Eunice Rodriguez tie for 1st in the Polgar while Warren Harper of Texas takes clear first in the Denker. Full report coming soon

Update: Alexander Onischuk ties with Mangus Carlsen for 1st in Biel with 5.5! Carlsen wins rapid/blitz tiebreak match.

Board 1 Upset at U.S. Open
By Jennifer Shahade | 31 Jul 2007
Eric Rodriguez of Florida defeated IM Enrico Sevillano on first board of the U.S. Open. The 18-year-old punished Sevillano for an oversight, and reeled in the full point with perfect technique. Today the U.S. Open 5-day schedule begins. Bookmark Monroi for live games.

Interview with Irina Krush
By Betsy Dynako | 31 Jul 2007
In an in-depth interview with Besty Dynako, 2007 U.S. Women's Champion Irina Krush reveals her thoughts on her victory on Stillwater, Oklahoma. She also recalls her early chess days,explains why female 2500 players are likely to be stronger than their male counterparts, and reveals what she's happiest about in her life right now.

Vinay Bhat Gets 3rd Norm in Spain
By Jennifer Shahade | 31 Jul 2007
After a decade-long draught of American born GMs, the floodgates seem to have opened. Just a few months after Jesse Kraai won his final norm, Vinay Bhat follows suit in Balaguer Open in Spain (July 16-25).

U.S. Open's Scholastic Sunday
By Jennifer Shahade | 30 Jul 2007
On Sunday, most of the intrigue at the U.S. Open (July 28-August 5 Cherry Hill, NJ) was in the Scholastic side events. Joshua Mu won the Scholastic Open. Ettie Nikolova is the top seed and sole expert in the Polgar, while Nicholas Yap sits on board one in the Denker.

Click here for updated standings (after Round 3). Click here for six-day pairings.

Update: Mikhalevski wins Curacao Chess Festival! Tate draws vs. Benjamin, probably not enough for the GM norm. (CLO to confirm shortly.)

Gata and Irina In Montreal
By Jennifer Shahade | 24 Jul 2007
Our top ranked male GM, Gata Kamsky and recently crowned U.S. women's champ Irina Krush, are currently competing in the Montreal International Chess Festival (July 19-30). Irina started the women's grand prix with two draws, while Gata has joint lead in the Empresa with 3/4.

Shabalov Shares Lead in Curacao
By Jennifer Shahade | 23 Jul 2007
U.S. Champion and Curacao connoisseur Alexander Shabalov shares the lead in the Curacao Chess Festival (July 17-26) . He has 4.5/5, along with Israeli GM Viktor Mikhalevski.

Krush Wins U.S. Women's!
By Jennifer Shahade | 21 Jul 2007
With a last round win over Tatev Abrahamyan, Irina Krush scored 7/9 to take her second U.S. Women's Championship title!

Akobian and Ivanov Tie for 1st in Cali
By Jennifer Shahade | 21 Jul 2007
American Grandmasters Varuzhan Akobian and Alexander Ivanov tied for first with three others in the Continental Championships (July 10-20 Cali, Colombia) Peruvian legend Julio Granda Zuniga took the title on tiebreak.

Eddie Mark Blogs on Buffalo Champs
By Eddie Mark | 20 Jul 2007
The 2007 Buffalo chess champion, Eddie Mark, writes on his upset victory and what he calls a "chess renaissance" in his city.

E.Vicary Blogs from Stillwater
By Elizabeth Vicary | 20 Jul 2007
In her second Stillwater dispatch, Elizabeth Vicary blogs on one of her best games ever against Baginskaite, disappointing losses to Melekhina and "Chimi", and the surprising origin of her preparation today. She also prepares for a relaxing Friday night in Stillwater, as the tournament ends tonight.

Update: Irina Krush wins clear first in the Frank Berry U.S. Women's Championship with 7/9!

Ivanov and Akobian Lead in Cali
By Jennifer Shahade | 20 Jul 2007
With just one round to go in the Continental Championships (Cali, Columbia July 10-20), Varuzhan Akobian and Alexander Ivanov are in a 4-way tie for first with 7.5/10, along with Julio Granda Zuniga and Darcy Lima.

Women's Champs Down to Wire
By Betsy Dynako/Jennifer Shahade | 20 Jul 2007
With just one round to go, the race for the U.S. Women's Championship title is down to three players: Irina Krush, Katerina Rohonyan (both with 6/8) and defending champ Anna Zatonskih, who is half a point behind.

The $50,000 Game
By Greg Shahade | 11 Jul 2007
In Las Vegas, anything is possible, but you wouldn't expect a non-chessplayer to risk $50,000 on a chess match against an International Master, even at rook odds. Read Greg Shahade's exclusive account of his rookless, high stakes match.