Vladimir Kramnik's My Path to the Top

Chessbase releasing a video DVD about and with GM Vladimir Kramnik.



But seriously, has Kramnik really been to the top? #sarcasm!

Chess and Hedge Fund Management

This article from New York Times suggests that top chess players can actually make good hedge fund managers. It just shows how the deep analytical skills of chess players can help in jobs that involve complicated analysis like in a hedge fund.

So I guess besides enjoying playing chess, a good-paying job opportunity awaits you in case you don't really get it to the top of the chess world.

Threat and Execution

The threat is stronger than the execution

-- Nimzowitsch

Chess and Bigamy

In chess, bigamy is acceptable, but monarchy is absolute.

-- Garry Kasparov, How Life Imitates Chess, on promoting a pawn into another queen

Chess on Advertisement

I don't have to reiterate the advantages of introducing kids early into chess. You'll read them in articles scattered around the internet -- you'll just have to press the right buttons -- and in this video:

Kasparov Plays Blitz 2011

Kasparov was seen lately playing blitz vs. FM Ghannoum in a fundraising in Naples. One of the games was recorded in this Youtube video:



The game went as:

Game 1: Ghannoum vs. Kasparov
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 3. f4 b5 4. Nf3 Bb7 5. d4 cxd4 6. Qxd4 e6 7. Bd3 Nf6 8. h3 Qc7 9. Be3 d5 10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 12. O-O Nc6 13.Qb6 Qxb6 14. Bxb6 Nb4 15. Be2 Rb8 16. Bf2 Bd6 17. a3 Nc6 18. Be3 O-O 19. a4 bxa4 20. Rxa4 Rxb2 21. Bd3 Nb4 22. Bd4 Nxd3 23. cxd3 Rb3 24. Rxa6 Bxf4 25. Ne5 Bxe5 26. Bxe5 Rxd3 27. Ra7 f6 28. Bd6 Rc8 29. Rc7 Rxc7 30. Bxc7 h5 31. Rf2 Kh7 32. Kh2 e5 33. g3 Bf3 34. Bb6 g5 35. h4 g4 36. Bc5 Rd1 0-1

Bobby Fischer Playing Table Tennis

These are some rare moments that you see Bobby Fischer enjoying a game other than chess. The genius enjoyed playing table tennis (ping pong) as well.

Photo credit: The Kenilworthian