Las Vegas, 19 August:  The choice of Las Vegas as a world championship "knock-out" tournament is proving to be nearly poetic. 

As if the fractious squabbling over the identity of the "real" champ wasn't confusing enough before, the event staged in the home of gambling and spectacle has produced a casualty list of shell-shocked, punch-drunk and eliminated favorites. The odds are: another FIDE titleholder short on credibility.

Dinerstein takes European Go title with perfect 10

Alexander Dinerstein, 6-dan, of Kazan took a remarkably impressive European championship, winning all ten of his games.

Memory champion performs at MSO III

Memory legend Creighton Carvello will dazzle spectators and brainpower specialist Tony Buzan will reveal memory secrets for those intrigued by the idea of flexing their mental muscles. The World Memory Skills Championship aims to please spectators.

UK Stratego offer

Manufacturers Jumbo have made UK Stratego players an offer they can hardly refuse - a chance for a free ticket to the World Team Championships.

New animals lead Nordic championship

A Swedish Tiger and an yet another aggressive Dane named Hansen have set a blistering pace in the combined Nordic Chess Championship and VISA Grand Prix final. Former footballer Simen Agdestein falls off the pace after a shock loss to veteran grandmaster Heikki Westerinen.

Hodgson British Chess Champion

Grandmaster Julian Hodgson turned in an overpowering performance en route to a clear victory in the British Championship.

Calendars:

European Shogi Championship

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