Reality TV for übergeeks

Check out Xtreme Chess Champs on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, and coming soon to a glowing rectangle in your living room!

There's a bit more info in this ChessBase article.

London Chess Classic underway

Chicago Blaze manager Daniel Parmet is working the event, and Illinois Chess Association President Tom Sprandel is in London.  Maybe we can get some inside info....

The nine grandmasters (including the world's top four: Carlsen, Anand, Aronian, Kramnik) played a fun exhibition game against "the rest of the world" on Twitter.  The geniuses won easily, but they missed an amazing combination (checkmate or win of queen) in the position below:

Black to play and win quickly

Follow this link for the answer, the entertaining game, and the notes.

Follow Round 1 (right now!) at the official site, WhyChess, The Week in Chess, or your favorite paid provider. 

A tweet from Wijk (no, that doesn't rhyme)

http://twitter.com/#!/GMHikaru/status/27106381320429568

@GMHikaru Hikaru Nakamura

 

Some of the best technique I've ever shown in an endgame under pressure! Off to a great start, but it will only get more difficult!

 

2 hours ago via web

Twitter posts....

GMHikaru Hikaru Nakamura

Sometimes it is much more enjoyable to read Stieg Larsson and drink green tea than playing stress filled chess which destroys your nerves!

from Moscow, Moscow

13 hours ago

GMHikaru Hikaru Nakamura

One of the single most disappointing oversights in my whole career. However, I am going to destroy Grischuk like a baby in the blitz.

from Moscow, Moscow

14 Nov

For the context, see Chess can be a cruel game or, even better, the wrap-up report at Chess Life Online.

From chess champions to mind champions

Vishy Anand's promotional campaign in India is featured in today's New York Times.

P.S.  here's Anand's Twitter account!