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India in the Chess Spotlight

   The sub-continent that invented the game of chess in the sixth century is now becoming the focus of chess in the twenty-first century. Viswanathan Anand, the current World Chess Champion, has ignited a nationalistic enthusiasm for the “Game of Kings” not seen since the Soviet era. Anand has received rock star status in hisContinueContinue reading “India in the Chess Spotlight”

Can Kramnik Win With The Black Pieces? Will It Matter?

   Between 1989 and 2008 Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik played 51 head-to-head games under classical conditions. The results below show that Kramnik has yet to win a game as black when up against Anand. This is a remarkable statistic based on the number of match-ups these two chess players have had. Vladimir Kramnik’s win with white and draw with blackContinueContinue reading “Can Kramnik Win With The Black Pieces? Will It Matter?”

15 Days Until The World Chess Championships

Tonight we look at another brilliancy from the current World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand. This game was played before Anand was World Champion and after his opponent Anatoly Karpov had lost his title to Garry Kasparov. Once again we see Anand’s desire to be adventurous in the opening by playing the off-beat line 4. e4ContinueContinue reading “15 Days Until The World Chess Championships”

Vladimir Kramnik in Germany

   The upcoming World Championship Chess Match against Viswanathan Anand is not Vladimir Kramnik’s first chess match in Germany. In July of 2000 Kramnik played another high profile match in Deutschland. This time his opponent was the highly touted computer program Deep Junior. Because his opponent was a computer, Kramnik used anti-computer strategy that would not workContinueContinue reading “Vladimir Kramnik in Germany”

Kramnik vs. Anand 2008 preview: A 1996 game played by Kramnik

Just 18 days until Anand plays Kramnik for the title of World Chess Champion in Bonn, Germany. Below I continue with my preview for this historic match by examining a timeless game played by Kramnik in 1996. Enjoy!   In 1996 Vladimir Kramnik played an exceptionally brilliant game as black verses a very strong opponent namedContinueContinue reading “Kramnik vs. Anand 2008 preview: A 1996 game played by Kramnik”

Anand vs. Kramnik: Backround Information

Anand vs. Kramnik should provide the most entertaining chess we have seen in quite some time. Below is a comparison of the achievements of these two chess titans.   Vladimir Kramnik’s achievements (source: http://www.vladimirkramnik.com   * 1990 Russian Championship, Kuibyshev (classical) I * 1991 World Championship (U18), Guarapuav (classical) I * 1992 Chalkidiki (classical) 7.5/11ContinueContinue reading “Anand vs. Kramnik: Backround Information”

Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand was born on December 11, 1969 in Madras India. At the age of 14, Vishy won the 1983 National Sub-Junior Chess Championship with a score of 9/9. A year later he became India’s youngest player ever to achieve the International Master title. In 1987, Anand became the first Indian to win the World JuniorContinueContinue reading “Viswanathan Anand”

Countdown until Anand vs. Kramnik

     In 22 days Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik will face off in Bonn, Germany for the title of World Chess Champion. According to my database these two elite chess players have faced each other in 127 official games. On these occasions, Anand beat Kramnik 19 to 15, with 93 draws. Below is VladimirContinueContinue reading “Countdown until Anand vs. Kramnik”