Legendary chessplayer George Koltanowski passed away this week. The
San Francisco Chronicle recaps his extraordinary life. Leontxo Garcia
interviews Kasparov with the predictable incendiary quotes. The USCF
has appointed a new Executive Director. Chess continues to grope in
obscurity in India. And an in-depth analysis of the
"holy & horrifying" chess art of Samuel Bak.
- Stephen Leary
George Koltanowski Obituary
The San Francisco Chronicle obituary of George Koltanowski who died
Saturday at the age of 96. ``George Koltanowski was a legendary member of the Chronicle family,'' said Managing Editor Jerry Roberts. ``He was a great chess player, an outstanding journalist, a true gentleman, and he could beat any other newspaper's chess columnist with his eyes closed.''
El Pais
Leontxo Garcia profiles Peter Leko. Karpov once said Leko would never become world champion
because his style was too conservative for his age, but that opinion
is no longer considered valid, as many believe Leko can rise higher
than Kramnik or Anand. In another article, Kasparov criticizes his rivals
at Wijk aan Zee for a lack of fighting spirit. About Kramnik & Leko:
"They think much about the money and the comfortable life, and very little in creating passion between the fans with shining games and fights without quarter."
[In Spanish.]
USCF
George L. De Feis has been appointed Executive Director & CEO of the
USCF. De Feis will focus his early attention on revenue enhancements (including grants, sponsorships, advertising), strategic alliances, expansion of membership and services, and strategic and organizational planning issues.
KasparovChess.com
A new Online Sweepstakes. The winner & a guest will spend a weekend with
Kasparov for dinner & blitz chess. The KasparovChess.com inaugural
Grand Prix begins February 9. An interview with Anand, and a report on
9-year-old sensation David Howell.
Inside Chess
Yasser Seirawan annotates Kasparov-Polgar from Corus. IM Minev writes
about the Diabolical Bishop.
|  |
Samuel Bak's Paintings
An in-depth article on the chess paintings of Samuel Bak, which were
shown at a gallery in Boston. Bak is "opening the game to the history of art and philosophy, creating novel-like characters, fashioning recurrent, Wagner-like motifs, posing theological and cosmological questions. His chess is every bit as holy, and horrifying, as the world we live in."
Several photos of the paintings.
The Hindu
"Chess continues to grope in obscurity" in India. The Indian national
organisation has yet to announce any concrete plans to promote the game.
Prizes are low because corporate sponsorship has not been sought aggressively.
Shelby Lyman
In his weekly column, Shelby asks what is it that makes computers
such formidable opponents.
John Curdo Profile
U.S. chessplayer John Curdo counts his first-place tournament ties or wins
as numbering 619. Curdo has been around the New England chess scene for
more than 50 years.
Robert Byrne
In his weekly New York Times column, Byrne wonders if Nigel Short
is making a comeback try for the world championship. Byrne analyses a game from Short's victory at the Pamplona tournament this year.
Lubomir Kavalek
In his weekly column, Kavalek writes about a possible match this year
between Kasparov and Anand. He annotates the game Halprin-Pillsbury.
The Week In Chess
IM Andrew Whiteley beat
9-year-old David Howell in a rapidplay match. Howell is the
youngest player to qualify for a National Championship.
Chess Cafe
Mike Franett, formerly Editor of Inside Chess, has joined as a columnist.
About.com
Play over "The 64 Greatest Chess Games Ever Played" as listed in "The
Even More Complete Chess Addict."
|
