We’ve got good vibes emanating from the chess world this week, with a few “feel good stories,” and some fun videos/commercials featuring big names. Oh, and Magnus is back to winning everything in sight. Things have been relatively quiet in the chess improvement/book review blogosphere, but there is plenty of high-level chess going on including a closely contested Women’s World Championship match resuming tomorrow. Events in Biel, St. Louis, and the FIDE World Cup (!) are also coming soon. Speaking of things being relatively quiet, I will be at the beach with my family next weekend, and thus the Linkfest will next return on Friday, July 28. Be well, and I will catch you all then- Ben
Feel Good Chess Stories
American Chess Star, FM Tani Adewumi got to Play Roger Federer in Chess! Check out this charming Short Video (Bastian Fachan’s Twitter)
Tarjei Svensen shares the remarkable story of Lukasz Nowak. Lukasz was born with spinal muscular atrophy and requires assistance to move the pieces when competing, but recently earned the IM Title after years of work! “Chess is my passion and way of life. I have goals I can achieve. At the chessboard, I can forget about my disabilities and compete like everyone else. I love taking part in tournaments and cannot imagine my life without it." (Chess.com News)
Norwegian Chess Legend GM Simen Agdestein won his Nation’s Championship 41 Years After his First National Title! (Tarjei Svensen for Chess.com)
Vishy Anand was in a Subway Commerical in India. (Leon Watson for Chess.com)
Chess Improvement
FM Nate Solon offers some helpful advice while he does an analytical breakdown of the chess games of poker star Ike Haxton. “I (suggest)to a 10% rule: (whatever the time control) don’t spend more than 10% of your total time on a single move” (FM Nate Solon’s Blog)
GM Alex Colovic on the importance of staying calm during tournament games “One of the most important aspects of self-control during a game of chess is the ability to stay calm under pressure.” (GM Alex Colovic’s Blog)
Top Chess
Sagar Shah takes you behind the scenes as young Super GM Arjun Erigaisi gave an impromptu 8-board blindfold simul, at the headquarters of his corporate sponsor, Quantbox! "Somewhere around 4 p.m. Arjun's planned simul was about to begin. When Arjun got to know that it was a simul with 8 players and the highest Elo rated player was around 1400 (online), he decided to make it challenging for himself. "I will play a blindfold simul", said Arjun! But you have never done a blindfold simul before. Don't you think playing 8 players would be tough? … "I would like to try it" - a typical Arjun response.” (IM Sagar Shah for Chessbase India)
The Women’s World Chess Championship resumes tomorrow, with the Challenger, GM Lei Tingjie leading 3.5-2.5. FM Nate Solon provides a nice overview of the match. “For as well as she’s played, Lei is still only up one point. As the match enters its second half, a single game – even a single move – could change everything.” (LiChess Blog)
MVL Blog alert- The French Super GM wrote about the French team tournament, THe Global Chess League, and his other recent events. The real highlight of the Global Chess League was undoubtedly the final between my Mumba Masters team and the Triveni Continentals led by Aronian. Having won a game each in both rapid and blitz, we had to settle the tie in sudden death, another new feature of the League, which is a bit like a soccer penalty shoot-out.” (Maxime Vachier Lagrave’s Blog)
Norway Chess is Hosting a Women’s Super Tournament with Prizes Equal to the yearly Invitational that often features Magnus Carlsen (NM Vanessa West for Chess.com)
Misc.
Chess.com is developing a new super engine called Torch. Its already the 2nd strongest engine in the world! (Chess.com Blog)
Here is the latest from Quality Chess on their forthcoming books (GM John Shaw for the Quality Chess Blog)
The London Chess Fest on July 16 looks amazing. I would go if I lived in London! (Tim Wall on the Chess.com Blog)