I’ve been playing through some of Petrosian’s games lately on my iphone and have come across some nifty positions.   Tigran Petrosian was World Champion from 1963 – 1969 and was renown for being a very defensive player who rarely lost.  It was surprising therefore when I came across the following position with Petrosian playing Black a pawn down in a double rook ending.  Surely with White’s extra pawn being doubled Petrosian could find a way to draw?

He has just played 1…R-c3.   To...

It’s not fair!  Computers have so many advantages playing against we poor humans.

They never tire.  The analyse more moves than us.  They analyse deeper than us.   They don’t make tactical boo-boos.   They don’t get distracted by their opponents eating green apples and banging the clock.  It’s a wonder we can ever beat them at all.

The best chance is in the endgame.  Sometimes a human can understand what is happening at a glance whereas the silly computer is still analysing every mo...

Having moved from New Zealand only two years ago, I never thought I would bring Australia a world chess champion title in such a short space of time. However, it has happened: in Kemer, Antalya, Turkey, on 23rd November 2009.

The World Youth Chess Championships (WYCC) is held every year, with participants from over 90 countries. My previous results have been: 61st – France in 2005, 4th – Turkey in 2007, and 15th- Vietnam in 2008, all three time...