Monika Socko remains in the sole lead of the European Women’s Championship after scoring a crucial win over Gunay Mammadzada and drawing Ulviyya Fataliyeva (from a clearly superior position). Mammadzada bounced back from her loss against the leader by beating Maria Gevorgyan and stands a half point behind the Polish grandmaster with two rounds to go. | Photos: Official site
Lubomir Kavalek was born in Prague in 1943. He left his country in 1968 and found a new home in the USA. In the 1970s he was one of the world's best players and also successful as a second and coach, including helping Bobby Fischer in Reykjavík. He was also a prolific writer, with dozens of well-read chess columns, including one he shared on ChessBase over the years. Kavalek passed away on January 18 at the age of 77. He will be sorely missed.
The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) pays homage to American chess phenom Bobby Fischer with the largest exhibition of its kind, <a href="https://worldchesshof.org/exhibit/72-fischer-spassky?mc cid=0274788ba4&mc eid=3790e8c2dc">1972 Fischer/Spassky: The Match, Its Origin, and Influence"</a>, on view from August 18, 2022, through April 30, 2023. A <a href="https://worldchesshof.org/program/12991?mc cid=0274788ba4&mc eid=3790e8c2dc">public opening reception</a> is happening on Thursday, August 18, 2022, 5-8 pm, with free admission. | Photo: worldchesshof.org
Uzbekistan and Armenia are sharing the lead going into the final round of the Chess Olympiad’s open tournament. India 2 was inches away from replacing Uzbekistan as co-leader, as Gukesh could have given his team match victory had he not blundered a piece against Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a drawn position. In the women’s section, meanwhile, India retook the sole lead after convincingly beating Kazakhstan. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Uzbekistan's men have won chess' most prestigious international team tournament in Chennai, fending off stiff competition from India's B team and Armenia. Ukraine won the women's event, ahead of Georgia and India.