WIM Alexey Root, PhD

Alexey Root is a Woman International Master and the 1989 U.S. Women's chess champion. Her peak US Chess rating was 2260. She has a PhD in education from UCLA. You can find her books on chess on Amazon.com.

Overlooking Chess’s Past While Chronicling Its Present

Five of the first six chapters of INTERREGNUM: Inside the Grueling and Glamorous Battle to Become the Next King of Chess (Pegasus Books – April 21st, 2026) track players’ paths to, and results in, the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto. Since author Jordan Himelfarb is a managing editor of the Toronto Star, one of North America’s largest newspapers, he is well positioned to report on that tournament. More 🡢

Chess in Georgia and Washington (May 2026)

In May of 2026 WIM Alexy Root will be in Georgia and in Washington, for book signings, talks, and simultaneous chess exhibitions. She will also be competing for the title of Southeastern Regional Women’s Champion. More 🡢

2026 President’s Cup and Women’s President’s Cup: College Chess Championships

University of Missouri, known as Mizzou, hosted the 2026 President’s Cup, the national championship of college chess. Competitors were the top four qualifying schools from the 2026 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. Mizzou also hosted a new event, the Women’s President’s Cup, for the top four qualifying schools from the 2025 U.S. National Collegiate Women’s Championship. More 🡢

Chess and Poker: Jennifer Shahade Returns to US Chess

WGM Jennifer Shahade is back to the US Chess fold – and she’s bringing pro poker skills with her. After resolving all matters with the federation, Shahade has been named its first-ever Official Ambassador. Her new book argues that thinking across both games can sharpen your edge. More 🡢

Tools of the Chess Trade

The tools of the trade for chess streamers are different than what’s used for playing over-the-board chess. Also specialized are the tools used to teach chess in person. More 🡢

GM Jan Timman’s Last Book

Grandmaster Jan Timman’s final masterpiece, *Timman’s Studies*, celebrates his legacy through brilliant endgame compositions and timeless chess insight. More 🡢

International Chess Players in Texas

Discover how Texas blends global culture and competition, from Texas’ Eiffel Tower to chess tournaments across the state. More 🡢

Bobby Fischer’s Chess Queen: A Review

On January 14, 2026, New In Chess published Bobby Fischer’s Chess Queen: The untold story of the Indian woman who captured the American World Champion’s heart. Its author is Woman International Master Shernaz Kennedy. Her memoi.r is a quick and entertaining read More 🡢