Alexey Root

Currently, Root serves as a Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has authored seven insightful books exploring the connection between chess and education.

Additionally, Root is the Research Awards Coordinator at Chessable and contributes articles to .

Paris, Texas, Eiffel Tower

International Chess Players in Texas

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

Chess Queen

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 🡢

Natasha Christiansen and Alexey Root, November 15, 2025

No Draw Offers in Chess and a Playoff Under Protest

At the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Championship, three people told me that I lack fighting spirit. And that I have a peaceful nature. They are right. I like to offer draws, and I like to accept draw offers. Therefore, the best tournaments for me to play in would be those that prohibit offering draws. Then I would be forced to fight in my chess games, and my chess skills would likely improve. More 🡢

Alexandra and Andrea Botez

Alexandra and Andrea Botez: Chess Content Creators

Alexandra and Andrea Botez are best known as chess players and chess content creators. Their YouTube channel, which has 1.81 million followers, is described as “two sisters who like chess and chaos.” Their BotezLive Twitch channel has 1.3 million followers. Its description is “Welcome to BotezLive, a chess show hosted by two sisters…. Both grew up playing chess competitively and represented Team Canada in many international events.” More 🡢

Webster University wins The President's Cup!

Webster University wins The President’s Cup!

This year’s collegiate championship was highly competitive, featuring two tie-breaks. More 🡢

GM Vincent Keymer and Alexey Root

Prague International Chess Festival: Opening Ceremony

While in Prague for the World Senior Team Chess Championship, as a member of the USA Women 50+ team, I visited the Prague International Chess Festival. A former President of the Czech Republic was one of the speakers. At a post-ceremony reception, I briefly interviewed Grandmasters Liem Le and Vincent Keymer. More 🡢

Vladimir Akopian

Play chess better on a team? USA Senior Chess

The USA Senior (50+) Team won a gold medal at the 2024 FIDE World Senior Team Chess Championships. The three members of the USA Senior (50+) Team traveled from the FIDE World Senior Team Chess Championships in Krakow, Poland, to St. Louis, USA, to compete as individuals in the U.S. Senior Championship. More 🡢

Rodney Malpert

Celebrate Nebraska Chess from May 31–June 2, 2024

Nebraska native Rodney Malpert is the principal financial backer of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Chess Celebration on June 1st and 2nd. The prize fund for the tournament is $13,650. On May 31, the Nebraska Chess Hall of Fame inducts US Chess Senior Master Malpert, Woman International Master Alexey (Rudolph) Root, Kent Nelson, and International Master Keaton Kiewra. Five decades ago, Nebraska’s capital city of Lincoln hosted two U.S. Opens, the flagship tournament of US Chess. More 🡢