In the end, the favourites prevailed at the Senior World Championships, but only just. Michael Adams and John Nunn had to settle for a photo finish in the two open events, the 50+ and the 65+. Monica Calzetta Ruiz and Galina Strutinskaia won the senior women's titles. | Photos: Patricia Claros
Pia Cramling, the Grande Dame of Chess is celebrating her 60th Anniversary today. Heartfelt congratulations! Looking back and forward, our author, who was a spectator at the tournament where she made her final GM norm to obtain the Grandmaster title as fifth woman on earth, presents fantastic facts and funny figures from an unparalleled biography. | Photo: Carolina Byrmo via hemtrevligt.se
Although chess is a total-information game in which everything is laid bare on the board, in practice we can see only part of the picture. Feelings do play a crucial role, at least in games between humans. One necessary evil is the ability, when the need arises, to bluff or at the very least to keep a reasonably straight face! | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club