The most important task of TC was the introduction of a system of titles and licenses as it was demanded by IOC. The main idea was that the titles will boost the importance of trainers’ positions in the chess world. Licenses are necessary for keeping the level of the trainers, but up to Istanbul 2009 FIDE Board these licenses were not approved to be used worldwide.

The fourth FIDE Grand Prix will be the strongest one in the series, and one of the strongest tournaments of the world this year. 14 participants are: Vladimir Akopian (Armenia), Evgeny Alekseev (Russia), Levon Aronian (Armenia), Etienne Bacrot (France), Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine), Boris Gelfand (Israel), Alexander Grischuk (Russia), Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), Gata Kamsky (USA), Sergey Karjakin (Ukraine), Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan), Peter Leko (Hungary), Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan), Peter Svidler (Russia).

“Rapid chess implies more mistakes and more stress on the players than classical, but I understand it’s a lot of fun for the public. Besides that, the Leon tournament is very strong and well organized. All together, the balance is very positive”, said the Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, the Mozart of chess, in a video recorded interview, shown during the Ciudad de Leon Chess Masters presentation…

Veselin Topalov will be number one on the list once again. He extends his lead after successful campaigns in Nanjing Grand Slam tournament (+13,2 points) and the Challengers match with Kamsky (+3,0 points). The 2700 club has shrinked to 29 players, continuing the downward trend (32 players in October, 31 in January). Yet, it is much larger than the 24 players in April 2008, the 20 players in 2007, the 17 players in 2006…

Experience has shown that bringing chess lessons in schools allows children to increase the level of logical reasoning, forces children make decision by themselves, develops ability to study and to make actions “in mind”. Finally these upsides increase children’ school educational progress in basic essential school program.

MK Athula Russell, the National Chess Champion showed that he is ready to gain the 1st IM title to Sri Lanka, winning the runner up position ahead of Two Indian International Masters and the Nepalese FIDE master in the 2nd Sri Lanka International Masters Chess Tournament held from 25th February to 4th March 2009 at the SANASA Campus, Kegalle.