All news

• After the rest day...let battle recommence!

  -

  After a hard-earned rest day in Wijk aan Zee the protagonists will be crossing swords again later today.
  Here is a brief summary of the pairings plus the standings and what to look out for.

• He's on a roll!

  -

  Alexei Shirov has done it again! It might be a while since anyone has won their first four games in the A-group in the Corus tournament.
  A day full of exciting tussles.

• Corus video reports and more!

  -

  I hope you like the news reports from our team in Wijk aan Zee. Here are all their english-language videos so far.
  The beginning of the tournament was dominated by Shirov, why not see what everyone has to say about the first few rounds.

• A hat-trick for sharp-shooter Shirov

  -

  Alexei Shirov wins again to retain a perfect score with Nakamura hot on his heels after beating Short.
  An ominous sign for the others is that Carlsen wins again.
  Today there were a remarkable four wins with the Black pieces in the A-group.
  

• Shirov again!

  -

  Sixth seed Alexei Shirov is leading the tournament with a perfect 2/2. Half-a-point behind are the in form duo Carlsen and Nakamura, both of whom won exciting games today.

• Shirov with Black and Van Wely with White.

  -

  Last year's champion Karjakin started the defence of his title with an interesting draw against Anand.
  Shirov however began strongly by winning with one of his pet systems against Peter Leko. Loek van Wely was the other winner beating Nigel Short whose bad form of December could be set to continue. [Videos]

• Wijk aan Zee begins!

  -

  The long-awaited super GM tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands begins today. Steel-makers Corus are again the sponsors and have managed to attract many big household names including Anand, Carlsen and Kramnik.

• Russia finish strongly

  -

  Russia beat Israel 3-1 to win the World Team Championship and so retain their title.
  The Unites States hold onto second place by drawing with Azerbaijan.
  The surprise team was India who took the bronze medal after demolishing Brazil 3.5-0.5.

• Russia in the home straight

  -

  Russia were comfortable winners as expected whereas the US slipped up against Armenia. Now a win tomorrow will ensure the gold for Russia.

• Heroes of the day!

  -

  Turkey tore up the form book and shocked Israel who had optimistically rested their top two boards.
  Nakamura won again and so enabled the USA to take the lead with Russia only drawing against Armenia.
  The USA have two tough matchs remaining so will still have to play at their best to stay ahead of their main rivals.

• It's all Greek to me!

  -

  Ioannis Papaioannou has won two games so far in Bursa, against Morozevich (when Greece beat Russia 2.5-1.5 in round 2) and Akopian in Greece's 3-1 victory.
  Definitely a big match player!
  

• Russia just ahead of the USA

  -

  Russia won heavily against the hosts and the United States edged the crunch match against Israel. These two teams are now best placed.
  Player of the tournament so far has to be Shakhriyar Mamedyarov with 100% from his first five games!
  Nakamura is also doing quite well with 3.5/4 on top board including a win with Black over the World Cup champion Boris Gelfand.

• Russia fights back

  -

  No Turkish Delight for the hosts who lost again for the fourth time.
  The big winners of the fourth round were Russia who edged out Azerbaijan 2.5-1.5 despite the unstoppable Mamedyarov notching up his fourth individual victory.

• Another big surprise in Bursa!

  -

  India are playing without Anand, but nevertheless beat the (recently at least) all-conquering Azerbaijani team.
  With the US losing to Russia all ten teams have already lost at least one match from their first three.
  

• World Team Championships from Turkey.

  -

  Ten teams are competing in Bursa, Turkey in the World Team Championships.
  There are already some big clashes and a monumental surprise...the Greeks won 2.5-1.5 against the Russians!

• Kamsky and Almasi in Reggio Emilia.

  -

  Gata Kamsky beats Zoltan Almasi in the last round to catch him on points and finish first on tie-break.
  The biggest surprise was Michele Godena's 2700+ performance, maybe a career best?

• Hastings

  -

  A four-way tie for first place in Hastings.
  These included the two rapidly improving nineteen-year-olds David Howell and Romain Edouard and the more experienced Andrei Istratescu along with Mark 'forever young' Hebden.
  

• Rilton Cup in Stockholm

  -

  The traditional New Year's event from Sweden attracted a strong field.
  With the top boards drawn there was a five-man tie for first with Rozentalis having the best tie-break.

• Shock winner in Groningen

  -

  A 13-year-old from Ukraine Ilya Nynzhnyk wins a full point ahead of his closest rivals in a very strong field!
  The world will no doubt soon hear more about the lad who seems destined for great things.

• Pamplona

  -

  The annual GM tournament in Pamplona led to a four-way tie for first place on 6/9.
  The four highest rated players Meier, Granda Zuniga, Laznicka and Kiril Georgiev were equal first.