Vassily Ivanchuk

The former world champion Vladimir Kramnik won the London Chess Classic, a tournament that brought the English capital close to its former glory.

They flew from Europe to Brazil, played five rounds in Sao Paolo, crossed the equator again on the way to Bilbao, Spain, where they played another five rounds -- and yet the outcome of the Chess Masters Final was still up in the air.

Those who play the Grunfeld defense know that it can turn into a nightmare in an instant. But the defense also brings them bright moments, tempts them again and again, and they cannot live without it.

It was the most amazing move of the 2011 Chess World Cup, a wonderful coup de grâce you don't see every day. And it could have been enough to play it, go home and enjoy it for years to come. But it was not all Peter Svidler had done at the World Cup this month.

Like in any sport, there are chess players who try to win at all costs, bending the rules in their favor. But there are also noble chess warriors who believe in decency and fair-play.

World chess champion Vishy Anand visited Prague shortly before Czech president Vaclav Klaus celebrated his 70th birthday with a jazz concert at the Prague castle.

Levon Aronian won the Amber tournament in Monaco this month. He will be known as the last winner. After twenty years, the combined blindfold and rapid chess event, featuring the world's top players, comes to a halt.