The rules are simple -

A1: Chess memory is different from other types of memory, it's hard to improve it by doing something non-chess related. The same refers to acquiring chess skills. Of course, having a mind that is functioning well is essential for a chess player. However, most people in the chess world get involved in more or less intellectual activity (like reading books, solving puzzles, etc.) because they enjoy the process, not because a coach has prescribed this activity as part of their chess training.

Q2: I don't think that chess pros stare at diagrams in books while solving tactics. Do you set up the position on the board or on your computer? May one move pieces when solving it?
A2: Well, I often do *stare* at diagrams, i.e. when reading my favorite magazines or travelling. At home I prefer to solve tactics using chess software or Chess.com's Tactics Trainer. Maybe an even better way would be to set up the positions on the board, but I'm too lazy to do that.  The second answer is a strict "no". You should never move the pieces or peek into the answers. In a real game you don't have any tips or opportunities to start moving the pieces. Neither should you allow yourself to practice that during your training.

Q3: Why are so many chess players obsessed with poker? It is clear that with the help of internet technologies the game is becoming more and more popular. But chess and poker aren't alike, no?
A3: Poker and chess have a few things in common: both are games, require persistence, patience and an analytical mind, both allow one to avoid working in the office, etc. However, poker is more random (even the worst fish in the world may beat the WSOP ME champion relatively often, while in chess an amateur has no chance whatsoever against the world champion), and many people are tricked into believing that all their losses are bad beats, not indicators of weak play. This allows more proficient players prey on them. Therefore, for most poker-playing chess masters the card game is just a way of earning additional money and entertaining themselves, nothing more.

Q4: Do you think that it is good to use software to play or is it better to work it out
on your own even if it means losing some games?
A4: First of all, in real life one isn't allowed to use chess software at tournaments (unless it is a special advanced chess event). On the other hand, nearly all professional correspondence players use chess engines at least to some extent. Of course, there are some websites that have rules against using computer assistance. Naturally, if you agree to follow the rules (by signing up), you should feel responsible and avoid cheating. One of the counter-arguments is: "he started cheating first, and I also had to use a chess engine to fight back". This doesn't make much sense for a number of reasons: 1) it's very hard to prove that someone is cheating (and if you start analyzing the game using a chess engine, that's also a violation) 2) the fact that someone is doing something illegal doesn't allow you to break the law too. If you are absolutely sure you are playing against a cheater, report him to the administration (or, if you don't like doing that, simply quit the game). Online ratings don't mean much anyway.

Q5: Why do Grandmasters always stress the importance of studying tactics? What if a
player needs to work on their positional chess too?
A5: Let me try to explain this in chess engines' terms. Positional mistakes are generally connected with long-term dangers and intricate matters, often accounting for a fraction of a pawn. Blundering a tactical shot usually means that you get mated quickly or lose material (a pawn, a piece, etc.). These mistakes are much more rough. That is, most players in the world make a few serious tactical mistakes per game that make positional inaccuracies seem insignificant. In their encounters points are scored not by capitalizing on a minor positional weakness (like in some top GMs' games), but by brute force. That's why studying the basics of tactics is more important for amateurs than deep strategic concepts. However, it doesn't mean that one should abandon studying strategy completely.

Q6: Would you like to view a few of my games and tell me what I am doing wrong?
A6: I get a few requests of that type per day. Guys, you need a personal coach, not me!  I simply can't afford the luxury of analyzing myriads of other people's games daily in order to offer advice. Please either be more specific with your questions, or hire a person to help you out with chess training!

Q7: When I play an opening I love I eventually get bored with it and start losing games
from it. I try a new opening then lose horribly with it too as I don't know any
lines. What do I do in this situation?
A7: First of all, I suggest you review my article Must-know: the opening. There you will find tips on how to study a new opening, practice it in training games, and only then exploit it in tournaments.

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Magnus Carlsen won Nanjing Pearl Spring tournament (+4 =6 -0) for the second year in a row and has regained the #1 spot on the chess live ratings. World Champion Viswanathan Anand finished in clear 2nd and has increased his rating. So did Bacrot, who was seeded 6th out of 6 players, but ended up with 5/10 and bronze. Gashimov has also gained a few rating points, while Topalov and, especially, Wang Yue have performed below expectations.

Final standings:
1. Carlsen - 7/10
2. Anand - 6/10
3. Bacrot - 5/10
4-5. Gashimov, Topalov - 4.5/10
6. Wang Yue - 3/10

Official website

 
 

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Total (inactive inclusive): 186
Active : 42

Titled players - total (active):

• Grand Master : 6 (2)
  
• Woman Grand Master : (1)
  
• International Master : 12 (6)
  
• Woman International Master : (0)
  
• FIDE Master : (6)
  
• Woman FIDE Master number : (4)
  
  
  More countries to follow.
  
   
   

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I have been playing for AVS from Krasnoturinsk (remember the North Urals Cups?). We (Stefanova, Lahno, me, Muzychuk M., Savina) had a 2^nd starting rank and were planning to win the event, but our dreams didn’t come true. Up to round 6 we were in clear first, but then Lahno had to leave for Cap D’Agde, and we have lost the momentum to end up on 5^th place. St. Petersburg Club took silver, while Mika Erevan got bronze.
 

In the open section there were nearly four times more teams than in the women’s, making the struggle even less predictable. To win the trophy for the second year in a row (!), Saratov’s Economist from Russia had to score 13 match points out of 14 (just one draw in the final round). Last year they won all the matches. The team had a 4^th starting rank, but friendly relationships and great team spirit have helped Economist emerge victorious once again. Congrats to the team representing my city (Saratov)! Yugra (Russia) came 2^nd, A Dzan Dzo (Ukraine) took 3^rd.
 

The format (just 7 rounds) makes the European Club Cup a dynamic and stressful event. Every point is crucial. In the women’s section the competition is somewhat lower, but squandering points is also quite dangerous. Another notable feature is that in the open section each team has 6 main and two reserve players (as opposed to the 4+1 format). In my opinion, this makes the tournament more interesting, balanced, and allows more people to participate.
 

Regarding my personal experience: I have been playing at the European Club Cup for the 4^th time in my life. Our best team result was silver (AVS, 2007); my individual performance – bronze on 1^st board (Economist, 2006).
 

In the first round we were to face ASHDOD from Israel.
 

My dubious play in the middlegame and a blunder on move 40 have led to a risky position. My opponent gave me some tactical chances, but I have miscalculated the variation. She didn’t take advantage of the mistake, and the game finally ended in a draw. The rook endgames, no matter how active Black’s pieces were, didn’t pose any real threats for White.


 

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The rules are simple - send us your questions and see them featured in the weekly Q&A column!

Q1: Some years ago, I saw I. Nataf use different analysis engines in different types of
positions (tactical, or closed position for example)- all outdated now of course. I
know the engines are incredibly strong anyway, but do you different ones and if so
which for which types of positions?

A1: First of all, I am not an expert in this field. Secondly, my main engine is Rybka 4 (a balanced and probably strongest engine in the world), while I may use some of the engines from the Ippolit family in positions where deep calculation is required, Houdini for endgames and slightly inferior positions, Fritz for attacking ones, etc.

Q2: Do you ever dream of chess in your sleep?
A2: From time to time, but such dreams don't produce any novelties or revelations.

Q3: When playing a great amount of chess I sometimes notice issues about a single
theme (central control, mobility, etc) that are occurring in most of my games. How
to improve upon specific strategic problems?
A3: Usually the hardest problem is to pinpoint this weak spot. If you know what it is, you may ask a coach to find problems on this issue, check out Chess.com's Chess Mentor or special software of strategy. From time to time I even read books on certain strategic concepts (that's the old-fashioned, but effective way).

Q4: Is it better to consolidate your pieces to one side of the board or scatter them all
over the board?
A4: This is a very deep question. Generally speaking, in chess the supreme aim is to checkmate the opponent's king, so the first intention is often to attack it at all costs. However, using war analogies, if you can't murder the opponent's leader for some reason, you may have to send your troops to all the states and proceed slowly, step by step. Mobility and the capability to bring your pieces to the part of the board where the main action is taking place is what matters most.

Q5: Do you have a particular opponent that you find difficult to play against? I mean
someone who is about equal or even less than you in rating but you always had bad
results against that person?
A5: Yes, and I have mentioned it in an article "Customers and Nemesis". Historically, I have been playing rather terribly against the Kosintseva sisters.

Q6: Any tips of how to avoid losing the game due to lack of concentration?
A6: Stay fit (sleep & eat well). Don't waste too much energy on trying to predict your opponent's moves unless you are in serious time trouble. Stand up from the board from time to time, walk around, relax. Stay focused no matter what the position is (watch out of for counter-play if you are winning or losing, don't get too relaxed in "dead drawn" positions). Pay special attention to this aspect when playing training games. Follow Botvinnik's example - he used to train by playing in rooms full of smoke, with loud music on, etc. Once you get used to all sorts of distracting factors, you will never be caught off-guard over the board.
 
Q7: Is there a correlation between the player's temper and his chess potential? Between libido and chess skills?
A7: There are different styles in chess (e.g. positional, tactical, calculative) which suit people of different tempers. By watching how a person plays chess, you can often predict what temper he/she has. As to libido...that's a tough question, Chess Kama Sutra-type. I haven't collected enough data on this subject so far to offer a qualified opinion.

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