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ICC Weekly Newsletter ● Vol. IV – Issue XX ● May 22, 2009

Hikaru Nakamura: 2009 US Champion!

GM Hikaru Nakamura (Smallville) won the 2009 US Championship title at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis last week, along with the record first prize of $40,000.

In the final round, second-seeded Nakamura, who last won the title in 2004, resorted to "back to the future" tactics to win a convincing miniature against GM Josh Friedel, as he confused his opponent with a very rare sideline of 8. Bd3 in the Two Knights Defense which was played by Isidore Gunsberg against Mikhail Chigorin back in 1890. Checkout Nick de Firmian's Game of the Day from the final round to see what happened.

Also checkout the 10-minute post-championship video interview by Macauley Peterson and WGM Jennifer Shahade with Hikaru Nakamura, just minutes after he was confirmed as the new champion. Click here to view.

There was also more good news at the official closing ceremony when CCSCSL founder and president, Rex Sinquefield announced that Saint Louis would also host the 2010 Championship!

Thursdays: Gambit Guide with GM Boris Alterman

One of the most unorthodox openings has to be the Krejcik (pronounced 'Cry-chick') gambit against the normally solid Dutch Defense with 1. d4 f5 2. g4!?! - a great surprise value weapon that has caught out many a player.

It originated back at the early part of the 20th-century or thereabouts, when it was used on a regular basis by the Austrian player Josef Emil Krejcik (1885-1957). And in his latest Gambit Guide, GM Boris Alterman explores the Krejcik gambit; and he also tells the tale from firsthand experience of just how the great Soviet patriarch, Mikhail Botvinnik reacted when a young, swashbuckling player by the name of Alexei Shirov suggested it as a weapon against the Dutch.

Part 1: Preview Full Show (Members-only)

Part 2: Preview Full Show (Members-only)

Dangerous Weapons: Anti-Sicilians - Emms, Palliser, Wells

In Dangerous Weapons: Anti-Sicilians, prominent opening specialists John Emms, Richard Palliser and Peter Wells take a revolutionary look at a popular group of openings - the Anti-Sicilians. The authors concentrate on fresh or little-explored variations, selecting a wealth of 'dangerous' options for both colors. Whether playing White or Black, a study of this book will leave you confident and fully-armed, and your opponents running for cover!

Published by Everyman, 285 pages

Price: $22.95 - Buy now!

Roman's Lab 78: Razor Sharp Lines in the Semi Slav Part 1

Razor Sharp Lines in the Semi Slav Defense Explained Part 1

On this DVD G.M. Roman, G.M. Eugene Perelshteyn and World Computer Champion Rybka bring new and original analysis on one of the most popular openings, the Semi Slav Defense.

The mainline covered is the razor sharp g2-g4 variation which contains attacking lines for both white and black. So if you play the Slav, or play against it, this DVD will leave you prepared well beyond your opponent.

INCLUDES FREE CHESS SOFTWARE!

Price: $19.95 - Buy now!

Chess Strategy for Club Players - Herman Grooten

First find the right plan, then the good moves will follow!

Every club player knows the problem: the opening has ended, and now what? With this book, International Master Herman Grooten presents to amateur players a complete and structured course on:

how to recognize key characteristics in all types of positions
how to make use of those characteristics to choose the right plan.

Price: $28.95 - Buy now!

Roman's Lab 79: Dynamic Positional Lines in the Semi Slav Part 2

Dynamic Positional Lines in the Semi Slav Explained Part 2

On Part 2 G.M. Roman and World Computer Champion Rybka bring you more innovative and original theory for the positionally enriched Nf3, e3 variation of the Semi Slav defense. Roman easily explains the strategic points, new ideas and how to play this active positional opening. Regardless of your playing strength, this DVD will leave you with a good understanding on how to play the Slav.

INCLUDES FREE CHESS SOFTWARE!

Price: $19.95 - Buy now!

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