On Tuesday, GM Gareev put on a 33-board blindfolded simultaneous
exhibition at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis,
scoring 29 wins, four draws and zero losses.

IM John Bartholomew took his third straight Okoboji Open title in Iowa, while 10-year-old Awonder Liang also impressed.

Champs at the All-Girls in Chicago received awards from former World Champ Garry Kasparov. Winners included Claudia Munoz (Under 16) sister team Aksithi Ashritha Eswaran (Under 8 Under 14).

The 10th annual All-Girls Nationals opened in Chicago with mayor Rahm Emanuel in attendance and 282 girls vying for victory in 7 sections. Garry Kasparov gives a book signing Sunday.

Irene Chappell, 93 and Alan Chappell, 77 are making big moves for chess in Reno. In addition to their work with children at the Boys and Girls Club, they are also helping stroke patients through chess.

World Champs challenger Magnus Carlsen was named one of the most influential people in 2013 by TIME Magazine with Garry Kasparov writing the piece. Carlsen also appeared on Charlie Rose.

Watch a video merging chess and Ju Jitsu, featuring Adisa Banjoko of the Hip Hop Chess Federation Mike Relm. Both will participate in a panel discussion in Saint Louis on May 8th.

Rochelle Ballantyne, featured in the documentary Brooklyn Castle, played a 20-board simul against D.C. public school students at the Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Center on April 18.

Fantasy Chess is now live for the 2013 U.S. Championship and 2013 U.S. Women’s Championship. Prizes for fantasy chess include a trip to Saint Louis, where the winner will receive lessons with GM Yasser Seirawan.

While reporting for CLO and Chess Life Magazine at the SuperNationals, yogi, writer and chess Mom Melinda Matthews shared her passion for chess and yoga with CLO editor Jen Shahade.