Learning From the Classics: Takeaways from First Casablanca Variant Tournament in Morocco uschess.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from uschess.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pushing the g-pawn early in the game has become so common that when GM Jon Speelman watches Shakhriyar Mamedyarov play, he feels tempted to bet with himself when ‘the bayonet’ will be deployed. This week’s thematic column features a couple of classics (by Paul Keres and Alexei Shirov), an example from Mamedyarov’s practice and a remarkable win by Richard Pert from the British Championship. | Photo: Niki Riga
Round seven of the #GibChess Battle of Sexes, held at Gibraltar’s Garrison Library on Monday 31 January, resulted in a 6-4 victory for Team Sabino with the black pieces, increasing their overall score to 37-33 – a lead of four points. But, once again, it could have been very different if Team Pia had taken all the chances offered in what was a particularly tense and hard-fought round. | Photo: Sir David Steel, Governor of Gibraltar, by John Saunders.
Anish Giri Wins 2021 Magnus Carlsen Invitational chess.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chess.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Giri paces Tata Steel Masters Edgar De Castro
In the Netherlands, hometown GM Anish Giri continued to impress, posting an undefeated 7.5 out of 11.0 points to maintain the lead entering the penultimate round of the 2021 Tata Steel Masters Festival.
With two rounds remaining at Wijk aan Zee, the prestigious tournament remains wide open among four players.
Giri, 26, who is hoping to become the second Dutchman to win the title (since Jan Timman in 1985), halved the point with Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen for a 7.5 total, giving him a half-point lead over defending champion Fabiano Caruana (USA), compatriot Jorden Van Foreest and 17-year-old Iranian exile, Alireza Firouzja.