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ANAND AND TOPALOV WIN CORUS
In a futuristic setting that emphasized the clear ambitions of steel giant Corus for the years ahead, Vishy Anand and Veselin Topalov brotherly shared first place in the world's leading chess festival. Both winners were delighted with the outcome. Topalov crowned his first appearance since his triumph in the San Luis world championship with a victory in the only major event he had never won before, while Anand became the first player in the rich history of the Wijk aan Zee tournaments to win the event five times. A report by Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, followed by a wealth of wonderful analysis. MOTYLEV AND MAGNUS MOVE UP
Alexander Motylev and Magnus Carlsen were the stars in the Corus B Group. Thanks to a better tiebreak the Russian earned the right to play in next year's top group. However, the organizers were quick to show their appreciation for the achievement of the 15-year-old Norwegian, and invited him as well. JOBAVA TOPS AEROFLOT OPEN
Despite waning enthusiasm among top players the Aeroflot Open once again attracted an endless list of grandmasters to Moscow. In a tumultuous last round Georgian ace Baadur Jobava emerged as the 2006 winner, pocketed a fair share of the prize-money and secured an invitation to Dortmund. A report by Evgeny Atarov with game notes by three of the prize-winners. GEORGIEV ROCK-SOLID IN GIBRALTAR
The fourth edition of the GibTelecom Masters was the jewel of the 12-day Gibraltar chess festival. Possibly inspired by his compatriots Topalov and Stefanova, Kiril Georgiev ran away from the rest of the field to score an amazing 8½ points out of a possible 10. THE LADY IS A CHAMP
Mixed talents are a rarity. Or should we speak of one talent exploited twice if a player excels in both chess and bridge? Genna Sosonko portrays Irina Levitina, who after she had played for the world championship in women's chess in 1984, became bridge world champion 18 years later. WARM WELCOME
Ruslan Ponomariov and Paco Vallejo topped the table at the Young Masters in Cuernavaca, Mexico. They split the prize-money, but the Ukrainian grandmaster had the better tiebreak. The winner wrote a short impression and commented his best effort. GOOD FORM AND RAZOR-SHARP PREPARATION
Jan Timman takes a look at a couple of games of Vishy Anand and Veselin Topalov, who in Wijk aan Zee were in a class of their own. ROOK SIX FOUR THREE MATE!
Hans Ree read Bob Basalla's Chess in the Movies, a hefty tome that describes almost 2,000 films in which chess plays a role. ROWSON'S REVIEWS OPENING EVOLUTION
Garry Kasparov tells you when to watch out for the pawn push e5 against the Scheveningen Sicilian and why. JUST CHECKING
What was the wittiest observation about chess Jennifer Shahade ever heard?
Did they play your opening?In this issue games with the following openings were annotated by world class players: Sicilian
Anand-Gelfand, by Anand
Motylev-Bologan, by Bologan
Motylev-Cheparinov, by Motylev
Adams-Topalov, by Adams
Anand-Van Wely, by Timman
Carlsen-Vescovi, by Carlsen
Ponomariov-Bruzon, by Ponomariov French
Short-Zhukova, by Short Caro-Kann
Malakhov-Jobava, by Jobava Scandinavian Defence
Kamsky-Tiviakov, by Tiviakov Ruy Lopez
Carlsen-Beliavsky, by Carlsen
Leko-Kamsky, by Leko
Karjakin-Bacrot, by Karjakin Slav
Van Wely-Topalov, by Timman
Aronian-Sokolov, by Aronian
Bacrot-Gelfand, by Gelfand Queen's Gambit Accepted
Kamsky-Anand, by Timman Nimzo-Indian
Van Wely-Leko, by Van Wely Queen's Indian
Topalov-Aronian, by Topalov Grünfeld Indian
Aronian-Ivanchuk, by Ivanchuk
Markus-Mamedyarov, by Mamedyarov Queen's Pawn Opening
Georgiev-Akopian, by Georgiev
Gurevich-Speelman, by Speelman
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