FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026: Registration now open
The fourth edition of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships will take place in Hong Kong from 16 to 22 June 2026, and team registration is now open! Following three successful editions in Düsseldorf (2023), Astana (2024), and London (2025), the championship returns with an exciting format: mixed teams where elite professionals and recreational players compete side by side across rapid and blitz events. Every match is played on six boards, and each team must include at least one female player and at least one recreational player, defined as someone who has never achieved a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher in standard, rapid, or blitz. This unique team composition has consistently produced some of the most compelling chess of recent years. In 2024, Al-Ain ACMG UAE claimed the Rapid title in Astana, while WR Chess Team, led by Magnus Carlsen, took the Blitz crown. Last year in London, Team MGD1, featuring Arjun Erigaisi, won the Rapid championship, and WR Chess successfully defended their Blitz title for the second consecutive year, with Alireza Firouzja, Hikaru Nakamura, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave all delivering decisive performances. It is very rare to witness and play alongside such Super Grandmaster teams on the chess calendar and the 2026 edition in Hong Kong is already shaping up to be the strongest yet. WR Chess Team have confirmed a formidable roster, with Magnus Carlsen returning to board 1 alongside Fabiano Caruana on board 2 and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave also joining the lineup, while their women’s boards remain unchanged with Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk. With reigning Rapid champions MGD1, Hexamind, and other leading teams expected to return, the competition promises to be fierce across both formats. Format and regulations The FIDE World Team Rapid Chess Championship will be played as a 12-round Swiss tournament across three days (June 17-19), with four rounds per day and a time control of 15 minutes for the whole game plus a 10-second increment per move. The FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship follows on June 20 and 21, beginning with pool stages before moving to a knockout format for the top 16 teams, with a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. The total prize fund across both championships is €500,000. The Rapid Champion team will receive €110,000, with the Blitz champion team taking home €75,000. Here’s how the prize money is allocated: Additional category prizes are available for teams in the “Under 2400” and “Under 2200” average rating brackets. Full regulations, including the playing schedule, time controls, and prize fund details, have been published and are available on the official website. How to register Registration deadline: May 15, 2026, 12:00 pm Lausanne time Entry Fee: €1,000 per team, payable by the registration deadline. Each registration must include the team name, the captain’s full name and FIDE ID, the full names and FIDE IDs of all team members, and any visa-related information required by the Organiser. Teams and federations are encouraged to register early, as interest in the championship continues to grow with each edition. The playing venue capacity is limited and only 42 teams can take part – 10 based on their highest ratings and 26 based on earliest registration, with six wild card teams provided by the organizers. Registration form: https://formdesigner.pro/form/view/243338 Regulations (PDF) Official website: https://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.com/ Contact: hkchessevent@gmail.com The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships are popular amongst players and fans alike, offering a unique space for top Grandmasters, rising stars, and chess enthusiasts to play together and fight for World titles.
Caruana, Praggnanandhaa, and Sindarov take early lead in FIDE Candidates; All women’s games end in draws
The FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament kicked off this afternoon at the magnificent Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus. The sixteen contenders entered the “Field of Play”, a green-branded playing hall with intertwined Candidates and Women’s Candidates boards, where the most important games are in full view of spectators, just minutes before the start of the round, led by Anish Giri and Kateryna Lagno. Arkady Dvorkovich made the ceremonial first move for Zhu Jiner in her game against Tan Zhongyi, while Criton Tornaritis opened the game for Fabiano Caruana. With it being both the opening round and a Sunday, the playing venue was packed to capacity with spectators. Three of the pre-event favourites, according to several expert predictions, Fabiano Caruana, R Praggnanandhaa and Javokhir Sindarov, scored their first wins to take the early lead. With three decisive results in four games, the tournament is already shaping up to be a memorable event. In his game against Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura was caught off guard in the latter stages of the opening and soon came under heavy pressure, both on the board and on the clock. Although Hikaru defended resourcefully and created some drawing chances along the way, he ultimately had to concede. The game concluded on a sporting note, with both players analysing the encounter together. In his post-game interview, Caruana admitted he felt tired and somewhat embarrassed, but ultimately pleased with the result. For fans looking to better understand opposite-coloured bishop positions – with and without major pieces – this game is a must-see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaVibBQQAu0 Although Andrey Esipenko handled the opening well with the black pieces, he began to go astray as time trouble approached. “I think my mistake was 27…Bxf3, and afterwards I didn’t have enough time and couldn’t figure out what to do,” he said after the game, an assessment immediately confirmed by his opponent. “Now I have more space to manoeuvre my pieces, and his king is not safe,” explained Javokhir Sindarov. Reflecting on the decisive phase, the Uzbek grandmaster added: “After I got my chances, I think I played well, and I also believe I handled the time trouble better.” Exceptionally well prepared for the game, R Praggnanandhaa opted for the Grand Prix Attack – a rare choice at this level. Caught by surprise, Anish Giri spent a significant amount of time navigating the opening, while the Indian prodigy played his moves at a rapid pace. “I think this line is playable and takes my opponent out of theory,” Praggnanandhaa explained after the game. Giri admitted he had anticipated a deviation, though not this particular one. “Although it was OK until I blundered, my position was gradually becoming unpleasant,” he said. The Indian grandmaster went on to convert his advantage with excellent technique in the rook ending. The fourth game, between Matthias Bluebaum and Wei Yi, ended in a solid draw. “I was surprised by 10.Bb5 and forgot the theory after that,” admitted Wei Yi. “Black is always extremely solid, and of course if I manage to get a knight to d4 I can try for something, but he did quite well to prevent that,” added Bluebaum after the game. In the Women’s FIDE Candidates Tournament, all four games ended in draws, underlining the closely matched level of the contenders. Divya Deshmukh introduced a relatively new idea in the Scotch Opening (12.Bh3), a line previously seen in games by Nodirbek Abdusattorov, catching her opponent off guard. Anna Muzychuk, who joined the event in Cyprus following the last-minute withdrawal of Humpy Koneru, spent considerable time in the opening searching for a solution, and eventually managed to simplify the position to a draw. In the all-Chinese encounter, Zhu Jiner unveiled a spectacular piece of home preparation, beginning with the pawn sacrifice 15.f4!, putting Tan Zhongyi under significant pressure both on the board and on the clock. However, the former World Champion proved resilient, defending with precision and ultimately securing a draw. Meanwhile, R Vaishali introduced a new idea in the Sicilian Kalashnikov (5.Ne2 instead of the highly theoretical 5.Nb5), but was unable to generate a tangible advantage from the opening. “I thought I had some chances during the game, as I had much more time, but the position was difficult to evaluate,” said Bibisara Assaubayeva. Vaishali once again demonstrated her defensive skills, holding the position to a draw. In the fourth game, facing Katerina Lagno, Aleksandra Goryachkina missed a major opportunity to score the first win of the tournament. Instead of 24.Nxe5?, the winning continuation was 24.Rxe5!, and after 24…Bxe5 25.Bc5!, White would have recovered the piece with two minor pieces for a rook, securing an overwhelming advantage. While the packed playing venue buzzed with excitement at every move, the fan zone was equally lively. This afternoon, FIDE presenter Angelika Valkova hosted a lecture with former five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, as well as a masterclass for children led by former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, combining live commentary with interactive engagement for the audience. FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates Round 1 results: The second round will commence on March 30 at 3:30 PM (Cyprus). Standings after Round 1 – FIDE Candidates Tournament: 1-3: Caruana, Praggnanandhaa, Sindarov – 1 point4-5: Bluebaum, Wei Yi – 0.5 points6-8: Esipenko, Giri, Nakamura – 0 points Round 2 pairings: Andrey Esipenko — Hikaru NakamuraAnish Giri — Fabiano CaruanaWei Yi — Praggnanandhaa RJavokhir Sindarov — Matthias Bluebaum Standings after Round 1 – FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament: 1-8: Assaubayeva, Divya, Goryachkina, Lagno, Muzychuk, Tan Zhongyi, Vaishali, Zhu Jiner – 0.5 points Round 2 pairings: Anna Muzychuk — Tan ZhongyiKateryna Lagno — Zhu JinerBibisara Assaubayeva — Aleksandra GoryachkinaDivya Deshmukh — Vaishali Rameshbabu Tickets are available here: https://tickets.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal, FIDE press Officer (Cyprus) Photos: Michal Walusza Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/
2026 FIDE Candidates: A ceremony worthy of champions
Cyprus hosts a dazzling opening to the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournaments The games may only begin tomorrow, but every major sporting event deserves a memorable start, and the 2026 FIDE Candidates delivered exactly that. The opening ceremony blended music, fireworks, humour, and moments of gravity into a vibrant spectacle. Even a touch of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the audience, who embraced the atmosphere with enthusiasm. The afternoon’s schedule began with a striking photo opportunity. The creative minds behind FIDE’s media team chose the hotel’s “Agora” as the setting: a fitting central stage for the gathering of some of the greatest minds in the world. Immediately afterwards, the players, their seconds, families, and a large contingent of journalists, officials, and dignitaries enjoyed an informal meet-and-greet. This novel initiative gave everyone the chance to get to know one another better while also enjoying some well-deserved refreshments. Towards the end of the allotted time, light rain began to fall, sparking some concern, as the opening ceremony was scheduled to take place outdoors. Fortunately, the indoor contingency plan never had to be activated, as the weather ultimately held. At 7 p.m. sharp, with all players, officials, and guests seated, the evening’s hosts, Christos Kyriakides and Marina Philipidou, took the floor. They welcomed officials and distinguished members of the diplomatic community, including ambassadors and representatives from the United States, Kazakhstan, China, India, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Cyprus, before inviting everyone to stand for the anthems of the Republic of Cyprus and FIDE. The sixteen contenders in the 2026 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates Tournaments were then invited onto the stage. FIDE host Angelika Valkova posed a light-hearted question to each of them, prompting responses that drew warm laughter from the audience and once again showcased the players’ sharp wit and sense of humour. In particular, GM Mathias Bluebaum – also a mathematician – drew laughter when, asked whether every player had a 12.5% chance of winning, he replied: “I won’t argue against uniformly distributed winning chances. I’ll take it!” GM Wei Yi also surprised the audience by revealing one of his secondary passions: poetry. His remark, “If I win the Candidates, maybe I will write another poem to Mr. Ding and invite him to join my team,” earned the loudest applause of the evening. Following a short promotional video, the hosts invited five officials to the stage to address the audience and share a few remarks. The Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Kostas Koumis, described hosting these two elite events as a great honour for the country, highlighting Cyprus’s growing reputation as a destination for high-level sporting competitions. Meanwhile, the President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, Mr. Criton Tornaritis, reminded attendees that chess is experiencing significant growth in Cyprus, with special government awards being granted to promising young talents and gifted children. The President of the International Chess Federation, Arkady Dvorkovich, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cyprus, local institutions, and the event’s partners – Freedom Group, the Scheinberg family, and the Cap St. George Hotel – for making it possible to host the tournament in Cyprus and provide optimal conditions for the players. Freedom Holding Corp CEO Timur Turlov noted that chess had helped him build friendships across a wide range of industries, emphasizing that it remains one of the most respected and widely appreciated games in the world. Finally, the Business Development Director of Cap St. George Hotel, Constantinos Malaou, delivered an inspiring message, describing the tournament as a celebration of excellence at the highest level – bringing together some of the world’s greatest chess minds, where every move matters, every decision carries weight, and every moment reflects discipline, preparation, and vision. To conclude the celebration of this remarkable gathering of minds, the hosts welcomed to the stage a performer who embodies harmony and creative brilliance – an artist who moves effortlessly between jazz, soul, and swing, bringing timeless elegance to her craft. Greek singer Thomai Apergi, accompanied by piano and saxophone, captivated the audience with two superb performances, showcasing the richness and versatility of her voice. As music and fireworks filled the air, Arkady Dvorkovich officially declared the tournament open. Round one starts tomorrow Sunday, March 29, at 15:30 local Cyprus time. The games can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube channel with expert commentary by GMs Peter Svidler and Jan Gustafsson. Tickets are available here: https://tickets.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal, FIDE press Officer (Cyprus) Photos: Michal Walusza Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/
FIDE acknowledges CAS decision on Appeal in Case 11/2023
FIDE confirms receipt of the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the appeal related to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission proceedings in Case 11/2023. The Court, after having carefully examined the positions of all the parties and the different arguments exposed, has dismissed the appeal filed by UCF against FIDE president Mr Arkady Dvorkovich. Regarding the other aspects of the decision, FIDE will carefully study the details and conduct consultations with Swiss legal counsel and the FIDE Constitutional Commission in order to determine the appropriate steps for implementation in accordance with the FIDE Charter. FIDE remains fully committed to respecting the decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and acting in full compliance with the FIDE Charter and regulations.
Haik Martirosyan wins 19th Agzamov Memorial
GM Haik Martirosyan (Armenia) emerged as the winner of the 19th Agzamov Memorial, edging out GM Artem Uskov (FIDE) on tiebreaks. Only 0.5 Buchholz points separated the champion from the runner-up. The 19th Agzamov Memorial, dedicated to the memory of Uzbekistan’s first Grandmaster, took place in Tashkent from March 17–26. The event boasting a total prize fund of USD 80,000 featured two 10-round Swiss tournaments – Open A and Open B – which together attracted nearly 330 participants, including 20 Grandmasters. Open A was a fiercely contested event, with the winner decided only in the final round. Artem Uskov, who turned 16 during the event, took the sole lead in Round 5 with 4.5/5, but in the following round top seed Martirosyan caught up with him. In Round 7, local favorite GM Abdimalik Abdisalimov joined the duo for a three-way tie at the top. In Round 8, Martirosyan scored a crucial victory over Abdisalimov and surged ahead as Uskov drew with IM Bakhrom Bakhrillaev of Uzbekistan. Going into the final round with a half-point lead over four rivals at 6.5/9, Martirosyan managed only a draw against Nikita Afanasiev (FIDE). Meanwhile, Uskov defeated second-seed GM Abhimanyu Puranik with the black pieces to tie for first place. Still, the title went to Martirosyan due to a hair-thin tiebreak advantage. Both players completed the tournament unbeaten. As many as six players finished a half point behind, sharing third place, with Abdisalimov completing the podium. Final standings – Open A Sultai Chyngyz (Kyrgyztan) and Umar Isomov (Uzbekistan) tied for the first place in the Open B both scoring an impressive 8.5/10 with Chyngyz coming out on top thanks to superior Buchholz. Final standings – Open B Photos: Uzbekistan Chess Federation
FIDE reminds manufacturers, organizers and arbiters of Updated Chess Equipment Regulations effective March 1, 2026
FIDE wishes to remind manufacturers of chess equipment, tournament organizers, and arbiters that the updated C.02 Chess Equipment Technical Specifications, Rules, and Regulations came into effect on March 1, 2026. The revised regulations are intended to improve clarity, consistency and administrative efficiency in matters relating to chess equipment compliance, approval and endorsement. Among the key aims of the revision is to streamline the endorsement process for chess equipment and to address handbook provisions that had become fragmented, outdated or insufficiently clear. The updated framework also supports the broader restructuring of the relevant regulations and introduces the FIDE Technical Commission Manual (TEC Manual) as an important reference in this area. These changes form part of FIDE’s continuing efforts to maintain clear, practical and modern standards for equipment used in official chess activities.For any inquiries or further information, please contact Hendrik du Toit at secretary.tec@fide.com.
FIDE reminds organizers and arbiters of updated Play-Off and Tie-Break Regulations effective March 1, 2026
FIDE wishes to remind organizers, arbiters, players, and manufacturers of Tournament Handler Programs (THPs) that the updated Play-Off and Tie-Break Regulations (C.07) came into effect on March 1, 2026. The revised regulations are intended to improve clarity, fairness and consistency in the application of tie-break systems across a wide range of tournament formats.Among the key updates is the introduction of Standard Points, making it possible to apply the traditional 1, ½, 0 scoring framework in events that use alternative scoring systems. The revised text also introduces additional tie-breaks, providing further options at the end of tie-break sequences and reducing the need to determine final standings by drawing lots. Further refinements include clarifications to Buchholz, additional provisions for team knockout tie-breaks, and revised treatment of unplayed games in Buchholz and Sonneborn-Berger calculations. These changes are intended to promote fairer outcomes and greater consistency in practice. The updated regulations also improve the handling of unplayed rounds in Rating-Based Tie-Breaks and Type B Tie-Breaks, while supporting the needs of a growing variety of tournament formats, including team and hybrid events. These updates form part of FIDE’s continuing efforts to ensure that its regulations remain clear, practical and suited to modern competitive chess. For any inquiries or further information, please contact Hendrik du Toit at secretary.tec@fide.com.
FIDE reminds organizers and arbiters of updated Swiss Rules effective February 1, 2026
FIDE wishes to remind organizers, arbiters, players and Swiss pairing software providers that the updated FIDE Swiss Rules came into effect on February 1, 2026. The revised provisions are now reflected in the FIDE Handbook and apply to all relevant tournaments and pairing procedures conducted under FIDE regulations. The update incorporates important amendments to the Basic Rules for Swiss Systems (C.04.1) and the FIDE (Dutch) System (C.04.3), together with related adjustments to the broader Swiss Rules framework. These changes were introduced to improve clarity, simplify application, and strengthen consistency in the implementation of Swiss pairing rules. Among the main developments are refinements to pairing procedures, clarifications regarding the handling of byes, and structural improvements intended to support arbiters and endorsed pairing software in the correct application of the rules. FIDE also draws attention to related regulatory changes that came into effect on March 1, 2026, including updates to C.02. Chess Equipment Technical Specifications, Rules, and Regulations and 07. Play-Off and Tie-Break Regulations. Organizers and arbiters are encouraged to consult these updated texts alongside the revised Swiss Rules to ensure full compliance with the current FIDE Handbook. These updates form part of FIDE’s continuing work to maintain clear, practical and modern regulations for tournament administration and fair competition. For any inquiries or further information, please contact Hendrik du Toit at secretary.tec@fide.com.
Latin America’s long game in chess
Latin America is trying to do something different in chess. Instead of spending money on new grand tournaments and spectacles for the elite, it is investing in chess as an educational tool, banking on a wider social impact reaching well beyond the chessboard. “Of course, competitive chess is important to us. But by investing in chess as a tool to empower society, we can make it part of our culture and our future. As chess becomes more deeply rooted in society, more people will play, so it will bring about more competition and more Latin American players in the chess world,” argues José Antonio Carrillo Pujol, the president of the Confederation of Chess for the Americas. At the two-day conference in San Jose (20 and 21 March), the central event was not a chess tournament but the signing of The Memorandum of understanding, where a foundation was laid for formally incorporating chess in the educational system. The Memorandum of understanding signed in San Jose brings together Costa Rica’s Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Sports, FIDE, the Confederation of Chess for the Americas, and the Costa Rica Chess Federation around a 2026 pilot project in selected schools. In the document all signatories express their intention “to cooperate in promoting and implementing Chess in Education initiatives in the Republic of Costa Rica, while contributing to broader international and continental strategies”. In practical terms FIDE will provide the government of Costa Rica with mentorship, technical guidance, pedagogical methodologies and support for teacher training to integrate chess into curricular or extracurricular school programmes. “This is the first memorandum of cooperation signed during the Year of Chess in Education and we very much hope that many others will follow”, said Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board who thanked the government of Costa Rica “for becoming the leaders in the continent and in the world” in a new model for introducing chess in education. The Minister of Sport of Costa Rica, Donald Rojas Fernandez said that his country wants chess to teach students not how to compete, but “how to live”. “This is a journey we will take step by step. You have my commitment, and the commitment of my colleagues, to ensure this becomes a snowball effect – growing and growing. We are not doing this for ourselves; we are doing it for our children and our youth,” said Rojas. The fact that Costa Rica was the first to sign such a document is not surprising. In 2022 the country adapted Law No. 10187, which declared the promotion of chess teaching in the education system to be in the public interest and authorised cooperation agreements with the national federation. Drivers of the change The central figure in this regional push is José Antonio Carrillo Pujol. Known across the continent as Pepe, he is the president of the Confederation of Chess for the Americas and the leading force behind FIDE America’s educational turn. “As a player, I love chess. When you love something, you try to promote it. When you learn chess, you can instantly see the benefits it can have for society. So, I set to work on promoting this”. In Panama, where Carrillo was heading the chess federation for eight years, he persuaded the government to adopt legislation introducing chess as an extracurricular project in schools. To achieve this, his strategy was based on two principles: bringing in experts in the field to strengthen the argument and going not just to elected officials but also administrators and those responsible for policy implementation who stay in their roles regardless of whether there is a change in government. And this is where Mauricio Arias Santana has become essential. Arias, an International Master from Costa Rica, is the president of the Education Commission for FIDE America who has been spearheading the practical implementations of strategies and projects focused on using chess as an educational tool. Critics may argue that by focusing on education, not enough attention is being paid to promoting chess competitions, but Arias rejects this. “Chess is still extremely important to us as a competition. But by making chess more inclusive and more open to everyone, more people will be interested, and more will go into competitive chess.” He argued that the broader approach makes chess more accessible to children and the youth, “where most won’t become professional chess players”. “Players prepare for competitions, but most kids are not interested in that. But when you promote chess in the way we are now – little by little, through various programmes touching different aspects of life and life skills – a wider pool of people can relate to that, and the game is likely to grow faster”, Arias said. Planting the seeds To achieve their goals for chess, Carrillo and Arias are implementing a strategy which is focused more on administrators and officials tasked with implementing policies, who remain in government regardless who is in power. “We deliberately focused on the branch of the administration that executes policy. Not the politicians who come and go, but on the administrators who drive the changes.” The two-day conference in San Jose was attended by advisors to the Ministry of Education from all 27 regions of the country. Almost none of them play chess or have any experience with the game. “This is exactly what we wanted,” notes Arias – “professionals in the field of education who will approach chess not as fans or players, but as experts who can assess and implement the best tools for empowering the future generations”. Even before the conference in San Jose, educational events in Argentina and Cuba helped spread the word in the Americas about the new approach. As Carrillo notes, the response has been strikingly positive. “Every country we reached,” he said, mentioning places such as St Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Chile, “was very keen on this.” The key to success – Carillo and Arias argue – is to help national chess
In memory of Viktor Korchnoi on the 95th anniversary of his birth
Photo: Anefo / Rob Bogaerts Viktor Lvovich Korchnoi would have turned 95 today. He is one of those monumental figures one returns to time and again when writing about chess. What would most people know about Korchnoi nowadays? A strong player, an incredible fighter, a cranky guy. These traits can’t be argued, and they are well-known; I would like to offer nuances and details about a character that were more hidden from the world. First and foremost, Korchnoi’s attitude towards chess. It was strikingly different from the approach of the majority of his colleagues, even the greatest ones. Arguably, Korchnoi became the first one to make “Fighting to the last bullet” his chess motto. He kept this aggression burning throughout his long career and probably was the best chess player in history when it comes to fighting spirit and resilience. Korchnoi was one of the few (perhaps along with Geller, Polugaevsky, and Fischer) who toiled over chess incessantly. It helped him to permanently stay in shape. Quite funny was to hear the young players lament exhaustion after working with the seventy-year-old Korchnoi at a training camp. Photo source: http://gahetn.nl Viktor Lvovich (simply Viktor back then) grabbed material in a way that was later to be labeled “computer-like,” but still was ready to fend off his opponent’s attacks (please note, that despite his pawn-grabbing propensity, Korchnoi rarely came under a crushing attack). The word “dangerous” was not in his vocabulary. He neither guessed nor made rough estimations; he just diligently calculated numerous variations. This, incidentally, explains his overwhelming record against Tal. It was Korchnoi who, 40-50 years ago, long before Carlsen was born, became a great (probably the best in the world) master of a complex endgame. He was particularly strong in rook endings. Striving for a real fight and for opportunities to overtake the initiative over the chessboard throughout his career, Korchnoi frequently used difficult openings (French Defense, Pirc Defense). But he also had great opening intuition – in a letter, written in 1972 (published in the excellent book Russians vs. Fischer), Viktor Lvovich advised Spassky in preparation for his match with Fischer: “From the play-to-equalize standpoint, I suggest paying attention to the Petroff Defense and 3…Nf6 in the Ruy Lopez”. Nowadays these continuations (along with the Marshall counterattack and the Sveshnikov variation of the Sicilian Defense) are Black’s most solid response to 1.e4 – but back then both the Petroff Defense and the Berlin Variation of Ruy Lopez were on the fringes of opening theory! In fact, Korchnoi was the first and only one for decades to use the Open variation of the Ruy Lopez – currently, the majority of the best players have this line in their opening repertoire. Photo: Anefo / Croes, R.C. Korchnoi was never an easy man, and, drawing parallels to the present day, was a great master of trash-talking, so popular among the leading young chess players nowadays. On the other hand, “Viktor the Terrible” won over chess fans with his unfailing love of chess, ever-burning fighting spirit, and desire to give it all on the battlefield. Elegantly dressed, distinguished-looking, and always eloquent, but he could be different each time you met him – from prickly and caustic to charming or infectiously laughing. Korchnoi was invariably gallant in female society but often irritable and scathing with his colleagues. Ready to talk endlessly about chess and chess-related topics, he had tenacious memory. Viktor often quoted the classics of literature (Pushkin for example) and chess players of the past (“but Levenfisch said…”). At times Korchnoi was unexpectedly respectful and open with young colleagues outside the tournament hall, but one could see him nervous and at times aggressive during and immediately after a game. From Korchnoi’s personal archive, via ruchess Usually, Viktor showed mercy to his defeated opponents, but once he remarked immediately after the game we played, in which I intuitively sacrificed a piece in a position with a huge advantage, but was unfortunately left high and dry: “Do you think you’re Tal? Even Tal didn’t sacrifice me a piece without calculating variations. And you are not Tal.” He was admired by many, but it was hard to imagine a person who could tolerate the irascible Viktor Lvovich. Frau Petra managed it, although not without difficulty – perhaps because their life together was based on mutual respect. Today you cannot imagine married couples who address each other exclusively as “You”. Another reason might be that she went through a school of hard knocks and became just as tough a fighter herself. Korchnoi as a chess player was treated with fearful respect, but an even greater number of people found his behavior during/after a game unacceptable. Yet, the Greats are forgiven more sins than mere mortals. He was forgiven not only for his magnificent play but also for his dedication to chess, for that genuine commitment over the board. Karpov once said: “Chess is my life. But my life is not just chess”. Korchnoi could have easily discarded the second half of that quote. Photo: John Saunders Viktor Lvovich pushed every conceivable boundary, surpassing even Lasker. At 70 he won a super-tournament in Biel finishing ahead Gelfand, Grischuk, Svidler, and others, and at 80 he put in a good performance in Gibraltar, defeating, among others, Caruana, who had already begun his meteoric rise… And yet Korchnoi’s best period is the 1970s. His epic duels with Karpov are still talked about. But there were so many other remarkable battles: the matches with Spassky, Petrosian, Polugaevsky… Even in the match against Kasparov (1983), for the most part, he was fighting on equal ground. We often talk about the most interesting unplayed matches – one of the most interesting for me would have been the Candidates final between Korchnoi and Fischer (1971). But Korchnoi lost to Petrosian in a very strange semi-final. The duel with the American genius did not take place. It is a pity because Viktor Lvovich was effective against Fischer; he controlled the proceedings in their