Perpetual Chess Linkfest, #66, January 12, 2024

Slow news Week

Unless I missed a crazy story, this week in chess was relatively drama-free. But Tata Steel is commencing shortly and I am sure the next wild story is right around the corner. In the meantime, we have a relatively light load of articles for you featuring the usual array of chess advice, interviews, a book review, and more. I hope you all find something of value, and I wish you all a good weekend! - Ben

Happy 80th Birthday to legendary GM Vlastimil Hort! Here he is drinking a beer while crushing a simul in 1984.Photo by Knut Meyer, story by Eduard Frey via Chessbase News

Chess News

First round pairings via Chess24’s X Account

FM Dennis Monokroussos highlights another name to watch, 8 yr old Roman Shogdzhiev. He toppled a few strong GMs in the World Rapid and Blitz! (The Chess Mind)

Evergreen quote via Edward Winter’s Chessnotes

GM Praggnanandhaa is now being sponsored by the Adani Group (Tina Popli for Chessbase India)

Peter Doggers interviewed GM Ding Liren as he prepare to return to elite chess in Wijk aan Zee. “I will defend my world title; the fans don't need to be worried.” - Ding Liren (Chess.com News)

Congrats to GM Ray Robson on winning his 5th Consecutive Puzzle World Championship (NM Anthony Levin for Chess.com)

Advanced stats are taking over the sports world, but what about chess? Dr. Benjamin Portheault unveils …Shark Points (Mindcreaser)

Here are 5 things to Watch in Women’s Chess in 2024 (On the Queenside via LiChess Blog)

Chess Improvement

Great post from Dr. Nick Vasquez on the what he has learned about how to automate your chess thinking processes (Chess in Small Doses)

GM Serper is back! “Contrary to popular belief, (Blitz games from Grandmasters) can be more instructive for beginners compared to the games played with a longer time control.” (Chess.com)

Jen Shahade on her love for double attacks “The quintessential double attack, the one that makes my heart fly no matter how many times I see it, is the classic Reti position.” (Jennifer’s Substack)

Misc.

Richard James reviews a new edition of The Life and Games of Carlos Torre “If you’re interested in chess in the 1920s you’ll certainly want to read this excellent book.” (British Chess News)

Kingscrusher takes you through some of Nimzowitsch’s contributions to chess theory “Nimzo’s idea of preventive strategy was a departure from the more direct approach of simply accumulating advantages which was laid out by Steinitz in the Classical school of chess.” (LiChess Blog)