Atticus Headlines

London Chess Classic 2011

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 19:52:25 +0100

The 2011 London Chess Classic is the strongest yet with World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand and World Number One Magnus Carlsen returning. World Number three Levon Aronian is a new invitee as the field is extended by one. The full field will be announced shortly. Read the new press release of 4th July 2011 with the dates of the rounds and side events.

There will be two extra rounds, as the addition of one more top flight player to this year’s main event will make it a nine player all play all. One player will sit out each day and keep the spectators at Olympia and online, doubly entertained by joining the commentary team. The English players will again be led by the UK number one Michael Adams and former world title challenger Nigel Short and David Howell.

Carlsen wins Kings Tournament

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:10:48 +0100

The 5th edition of the Kings‘ Tournament is over. The leaders’ game Carlsen-Karjakin finished in a draw after 30 moves, when neither player was willing to take too much risk. Thus both players shared 1-2 places. According to the tie-break rules the first place is taken by Magnus Carlsen.

Carlsen retakes sole lead - Kings Tournament

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:36:38 +0100

Magnus Carlsen defeated Vassily Ivanchuk in an ending that should have probably been held comfortably by the Ukrainian. Ivanchuk has been playing quite quickly during the tournament a sign he is out form.

Gelfand wins Candidates match

Wed, 25 May 2011 17:35:57 +0100

Boris Gelfand won the final game with white against Alexander Grischuk to qualify for a World Chess Championship Match against Viswanathan Anand. Grischuk played the Gruenfeld Defence and was on the back foot almost straight away with the Gelfand novelty 13.b3.

Another handshake - after 39 moves

Tue, 24 May 2011 20:11:57 +0100

Grischuk's novelty of 8.Be2 in the Queen's Gambit gave him an edge against Gelfand in game five of the World Chess Championship Candidates. Gelfand played f6 with the idea of e5 but then decided it was too dangerous and went on the defensive. Grischuk didn't find a decent attacking setup and after 22.Bg4?! allowing 22...e5 Gelfand equalised and a draw was agreed a few moves later.

For those of you suffering from insomnia

Mon, 23 May 2011 20:19:51 +0100

Gelfand and Grischuk drew game 4

Chess can never be dull or can it? In Kazan nervous energy has created a drama-less predictable match between Grischuk and Gelfand, with their 3rd game (of 6) lasting only 14 moves. Game 4 today also ended drawn after 18 moves after they repeated the English Opening played in game two.

4NCL Final Weekend

Sun, 22 May 2011 12:32:25 +0100

It was in high spirits but with some apprehension that we set out for the final weekend of the 4NCL not only to play in the combined 3rd Division but to enjoy the company of the great and the good of British [indeed European] chess settling down to do battle in the 1st and 2nd divisions.

Hastings LIVE

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:18:31 +0000

Click for LIVE Rd2 GAMES from the Masters, Wed 29th Dec., 2.15pm featuring top boards 1-4 and 5-11 with Live video from the playing hall. The Masters is a 9 round accelerated Swiss Pairing event. Rate of play. 40 moves in 100 minutes, then 20 moves in 50 minutes, followed by all moves in 15 minutes with the addition of 30 seconds for each move from the start.

4NCL - Spirit of Atticus

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:20:56 +0000

We are pleased to announce that a 'Spirit of Atticus' team will compete in the new 4NCL Northern League this season. Captain John Carleton has made all the necessary arrangements and the first two rounds take place on Saturday & Sunday 6th & 7th November at Barcelo Redworth Hall near Darlington.

The Aliens have it

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:08:10 +0100

Alien believer and FIDE incumbent Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has been re-elected for a further four years.

The vote took two hours; the final count was 95 to Ilyumzhinov and 55 to Karpov with three abstentions.

The victory was achieved mostly with votes from smaller federations in Asia, Africa and South America while Karpov's came mainly from European countries.

Spassky in stable condition

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:07:27 +0100

Russian media report that Boris Spassky is conscious, and his condition is stable. More than a week ago the 10th World Champion suffered from a stroke and was taken to hospital.

Joe Siddall jailed for theft

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:06:33 +0100

Liverpool and Aigburth Chess Club player Joe Siddall has been jailed by Liverpool Magistrates following his conviction for theft.
He was branded 'evil and wicked' by his victim’s family who spoke out after he was found guilty of stealing £22,400. Siddall ransacked the 79-year-old widow’s accounts after being left in charge of her finances.

Mickey Adams beats Carlsen in Rd6

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:05:41 +0100

The news of the round, aside from the team results, was Carlsen’s second loss in the tournament, this time against English GM Michael Adams.

2010 Chess Olympiad Khanty-Mansiysk

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:04:10 +0100

The 2010 Chess Olympiad takes place from September 21st to October 3rd in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. It is an 11-round Swiss System team event, in which each team has four players with one reserve. Time control: 90 minutes/40 moves + 30 minutes + 30 seconds/move as of move one.

Spassky gravely ill

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:03:04 +0100

It has been reported that former World Champion Boris Spassky is in intensive care after suffering a stroke in his Moscow apartment. Doctors said that after receiving an emergency call they discovered the 73-year-old in a semi-conscious state, paralyzed on his left side. They said his condition was grave.

Mates with machines

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:00:54 +0100

Thousands of years old, transcending geographical boundaries and cultures, the game of chess is still evolving and new technologies are aiding that progression.

Simon Terrington has made a documentary called Seeking the Endgame for BBC World Service about the technical and cultural changes in the game. Listen now

Anand wins game four, takes the lead

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:15:20 +0100

Topalov didn't seem comfortable and once Topalov's pieces were tied up on the Queenside Anand launched a huge sacrificial attack on the King.

Wch G3: Easy draw for ‘Kramnikian’ Anand

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:01:53 +0100

The third game of the World Championship match in Sofia today ended in a draw. Viswanathan Anand didn’t go for the Grünfeld, but instead the World Champion seemed to be impersonating Topalov’s nemesis Vladimir Kramnik and picked a variation of the Slav that the Russian had played against Topalov in Elista in 2006

Sofia Game two, more analysis and pictures

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:57:17 +0100

Anand had white in game two of the World Chess Championship in Sofia. His reaction to his terrible beating in game one was a fine performance to level the match. He played 1.d4 and an Open Catalan Defence emerged. At first it seemed that Anand had been somewhat fooled by Topalov's choice of variation, but then he gradually outmaneuvered is opponent, once Topalov missed his best chance with 16...Nc5. Anand forced resignation in just 43 moves. Very much "game on" as the match stands 1-1.

Topalov loses game 2 in 43 moves.

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:56:32 +0100

The World Champion Vishy Anand came back in style to win game 2 of the match with Challenger Topalov with a fine win in 43 moves.

Anand suffers loss in game 1

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:40:19 +0100

The first match of the World Championship in Sofia saw a shock defeat for Vishy Anand with black against challenger Veselin Topalov in just 30 moves. Game 2 takes place Sunday 25 April 13:00 (UK time).

Match to be played in silence?

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:31:55 +0100

Topalov has invoked little-known rules which allow him to ban conversation between him and his opponent during the World Chess Championship.

Danailov lawyers to take FIDE to court

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:58:19 +0100

Danailov is strongly opposed to the postponement due to late arrival of World Champion Anand.

World Championship postponed by one day

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:02:45 +0100

The first game is now scheduled for Sat 24th April

Anand arrives in Sofia

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:07:36 +0100

Following a 40-hour road journey from Germany as flights were cancelled due to the volcanic ash floating across European airspace resulting in cancellation of flights.

Bulgarians refuse postponement

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 08:58:53 +0100

Rather predictably the organising committee of the match between Anand and Topalov has refused Anand’s request for a 3-day postponement. The psychological battle continues and under Danailov's management one can expect to see more of the same in the coming weeks

Anand on his way to Sofia

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:58:54 +0100

With air traffic at a standstill, trains completely sold out and practically every rentable car taken, it was no easy task for Vishy Anand to make it from Frankfurt to Sofia. Now the World Champion is on his way by road to the Bulgarian capital, a team member has revealed. Meanwhile Anand's request for a three-day postponement is being rejected by the organisers. Statements and stories.

Will the Icelandic volcano affect the World Championship?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 11:06:03 +0100

Just after landing on a stopover in Frankfurt, World Champion Vishy Anand was informed that all further flights were cancelled, due to volcanic ash from Iceland. With 25,000 flights cancelled per day, hundreds of thousands of travellers, including Anand, are stranded, with alternative routes (rental cars, trains) almost impossible to arrange. The AICF is seeking a three-day postponement.

Danailov launches first broadside

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:21:34 +0100

The world title match between defending champion Vishy Anand of India and challenger Veselin Topalov from Bulgaria is approaching and so the psychological warfare has begun. Silvio Danailov, the challenger's manager launched the first broadside by insisting that his man would not accept draw offers from Anand under any circumstances. During the pre-match jousting the Bulgarian camp proposed the contest be played under Sofia rules which forbid draw offers. Anand declined so it looks like Topalov has unilaterally declared he will follow them.