Alexandra commented another one of her IMSA (International Mind Games Association) blitz games, this time against GM Yuri Balashov, at the IMSA Cup in Perm 2 weeks ago. The video is just under 10 minutes, and weighs about 40 MB. The opening was a Sicilian Defense and it was a tough fight, listen to Alexandra explain her thoughts all along the game. You can watch it either in Flash format or in Quicktime.

Alexandra’s first blitz video of the IMSA Cup is out, with a commented win against IM Vladislav Krapivin at the IMSA Cup in Perm. The video is 5 minutes long, and weighs about 20 MB. You can watch it either in Flash format or in Quicktime. More blitz videos to come out soon.

We have some news for you about Alexandra’s younger sister, Oxana. She’s now 20 years old and in 4th year of her studies at the University of Moscow, department of Journalism, specialty TV. She was sent for practice to the Baku Chess Grand Prix, and she is turning out quite good reports daily, aired nationally on Russian TV. If you understand some Russian, you will enjoy watching her reports. Here are the links: Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Free Day, (this list will be updated or you can go directly to www.tubechess.com for all reports).

Chess is now one step closer to the great Olympic family. Alexandra just came back from Perm (Russia), where the first IMSA Cup took place, a preview of the grandiose World Mind Sport Games which will take place in Beijing, China, this October, right after the Olympic Games. The International Mind Sports Association unites Chess, Draughts, Bridge and Go and has as declared goal the inclusion of mind sports in the Olympic movement. The partnership of several mind sports raises chances of success significantly and is officially approved by the European Olympic Committe (Read this). Grandmasters Alexandra Kosteniuk and Anatoly Karpov were the two stars of the event. NEW! watch our exclusive photo album! Come back soon for video of the IMSA Cup.