It looks like someone has informed Anand and Judit that draw is banned in Mainz. For, the sixth game and third day in succession, the duo produced results and had spectators catching their breath, with their dynamic play. As is the custom, in this event, Judit took the lead, and Anand promptly equalised. But the sixth game was a see-saw affair, with some chances for both, but Anand held on, by a thin edge gaining the full point in the end.

In the fourth game of the Chess960 World Championship Leko had to think hard about the right stategy and that paid off: he won the game and took the lead in the match: 2,5 - 1,5.

The third game ended in a draw. Peter Svidler sacrificed two pawns for a dangerous attack. Peter Leko had trouble keeping his position together and he had to defend very precise.

Anand evens at 2-2, two black wins make the day
Anyone asking for fighting chess, let them make a beeline for Mainz. For all the four games played so far, has produced results and for the statisticians it's even score, at 2-2. With black ruling the roost on the Friday, not a Black Friday, Anand once again came from behind to equalise. The fourth game, saw another Sicilian and what appeared to be a drawish opposite colored bishop, rook and queen ending. But Polgar pressed a little too hard and paid the penalty. 'I stretched the draw and paid heavily' said Judit after the game. Hats off, the Hungarian's fighting chess, as she wanted to finished the day with her lead intact.

Polgar swindles Anand, takes lead 2-1
In what seemed to be an Hungarian swindle, Polgar weaved the magic on the Indian as she turned the minus position into a winning one, with a energetic counter-attack.

"I don´t really like to play Chess960", said Chess960 Open winner Levon Aronian after he won his last game against Georgiev. The 20-year old Ukranian player scored an an excellent 9,5 points. Runners up are Vadim Svjagintsev and Konstantin Landa with 9 points.

14.8.
Chess960 Open

With 179 participants in the 2nd Chess960 Open the tournament started on time. In the previous year 131 chess players tried the new chess variant and this is an indication that Chess960 becomes more and more popular. With more than 50 Grandmasters it is also a very strong tournament. In the first round, ELO-favorite Alexander Grishuk from Russia had to play his first ever Chess960 game against the mayor of Mainz and new president of the WNCA (World New Chess Association) Jens Beutel (picture) . The young Russian, playing with the white pieces, escaped with a draw.

Judit Polgar challenges Anand
Chess ClassicMainz: First Chess960 World Championship Match between Leko and Swidler
by Hartmut Metz

A pleading for Fischer’s ideas - say “Yes” to Chess960
“Tatort Mainz” – the feverish search for competition, sports, suspense,...

The future of Chess960 by Chess Classics Organiser Hans-Walter Schmitt.

1. c4
Kingstiger Vishy Anand makes the first move. Unusual for him: He takes the c-pawn. "E4, b3, b4, Nc3, f4, Nf3 would also be good," says the Chess Classic Champion 2000-2002, "It feels like normal chess. But there is no theory yet. It is like walking throught an unknown town without a map."

18-year old Elisabeth Pähtz (picture) , who played against Alexandra Kosteniuk in the “Duel of the Graces” last year, will come to Mainz with her boyfriend Leif Erlend Johannessen. However, the 23-year old Norwegian GM (2527) probably does not come to Mainz just to throw kisses to his girlfriend.

Happy Birthday Hartmut ! Press officer Hartmut Metz celebrates his birthday today.

Judit Polgar challenges Anand - Chess Classic Mainz: First Chess960 World Championship Match between Leko and Swidler. Hartmut Metz about this years events in Mainz.

German Elo Power in the Open tournaments: Super fast player Roland Schmaltz, Rustem Dautov, Igor Khenkin, Eric Lobron, Lothar Voigt, Felix Levin and living legend Vlastimil Hort are looking forward to play at least one of the Open tournaments.

The reigning Chess960 world champion Peter Leko, and his challenger, Peter Svidler, will play the first Chess960 simultanious exhibition ever on 20 boards. The world class players will probably have a hard time in the simul, because their knowledge of opening theory is of no use in the games against the ambitious amateurs.

Only 10 places per simul are open and will be sold by auction on this website. The dates for the auction are on 6., 13., 20., 27. July and 3. August. The details you find here.

18.6.