8/29/2023 – Readers may remember when the Hans Niemann controversy broke out that the world's richest man, Elon Musk, decided to dip into his vast fount of wisdom and offer his own explanation. But this was neither the first nor last time he would proffer opinions for the chess world, and has suggested ideas to revolutionize the millenary game.

9/30/2022 – There are many ways to train chess or to entertain yourself with chess: relaxed tactics training without time pressure or in competition with others? Or do you love the artistic appeal of studies? Do you like to follow live world-class tournaments or to watch training videos? Do you like to hone your opening repertoire by using the opening trends from the live ticker? The ChessBase Account offers you all this - and much more. Fully integrated in the ChessBase world, the WebApps work together and can be used perfectly with the ChessBase and Fritz programmes. The ChessBase Account offers a comprehensive access to the world of chess, no matter whether you play chess as a sport or as a hobby. In a new tutorial series Martin Fischer explains how to use the ChessBase Account. Part 1: Set up & get started!

8/31/2022 – There are many ways to train tactics, from methodical themes, to deep positions, and while all have their place in a player's arsenal of training tools, there is one that specifically targets speed of recognition and play: the Tactics Sprint. If you feel like you want a method to improve your ability to see and play tactics in minimal time see this intro with video!

7/26/2022 – With opening theory reaching insane depth and draws on the rise, there has been an increasing interest in chess variants such as Chess960 aka Fischer Random Chess, and the recent 'No-Castling' chess. Here is another variant that bears similarities to Chess960, but completely asymmetrical and no castling. One added plus is that you can even play it against Fritz Online!

7/22/2022 – Years back, when the first iteration of the Fritz Online app came out, it was a barebones deal: Attractive, and good for a game, but not the most compelling option to train against. A bit problematic as this was its purpose, but it has undergone many revisions since, and revisiting it you will be surprised at how interesting and fun it can be.

6/29/2022 – For well over 20 years, ChessBase has provided video courses on just about every chess topic under the sun, but they were also only available to Windows users. Now that is not only no longer true, but you can watch them on just about any system with a modern browser, from Macintosh to Linux... to smartphones even! Here is a guide on how, as well as some special tips!

5/26/2022 – Among the growing number of apps and functions available with ChessBase Account is the Quiz. Most of the functions in a subscription have an inherent training or educational factor in their usage, and the quiz is no exception, But even more than what it can teach you is the plain old 'fun' factor. Read on to learn more!

5/19/2022 – Users of ChessBase are undoubtedly familiar with the Player Encyclopedia that comes with Mega Database, a massive archive of players and photos that allow you to view games with a picture of that player instead of just their name. There is an online version with ChessBase Account, but offers much more. Read the tutorial or watch the video to find out why.

10/13/2021 – Most players look at endgame study as a necessary evil, akin to taking a very bitter medicine, that may yield results, but is boring. However, what if your study of endgames was punctuated at every corner and turn by fireworks and wondrous moves? This can be achieved, at least partially, thanks to the Studies app from ChessBase Account, making your study of endgames much more fun!

10/4/2021 – Chess improvement at any level requires chess instruction, study, and practice. Thanks to technology, chess instruction of the highest quality is readily available, even in the pages of this news page. However, no matter how many lectures you watch, they do not dispense with actual study, which is often a lonely affair. This is what this new video series hopes to change.

9/23/2021 – While the Solve Tactics mode is undoubtedly the meat of the of the Tactics web app, there are two other modes that provide a very different sort of training, excellent to stay sharp. Both are based on trying to solve as quickly as possible, but each with a slightly different angle. They are also the perfect trainer for bullet chess. You will also find part one demonstrated in a video!

9/20/2021 – Among the myriad apps and services offered with a subscription to ChessBase Account is the Tactics web app. This concept is hardly new, and readers undoubtedly are aware of a plethora of rival sites and apps offering this same service, so what makes this one so special? What makes it deserving of the headline "best by test"? Read on to find out!

9/16/2021 – Mega database is easily the greatest database one can buy. Not only does it come with 8.4 million games, but over 85 thousand of them are annotated, many by world champions and the elite. It doesn't come free, though its asking price includes a full year of unparalleled updates, but what if you could have access to it without having to buy it?...

9/13/2021 – The Live Database is the full database by ChessBase, stored online, that can be searched from both the ChessBase program, as well as the browser. With it you can search for any position, player, tournament, or game, and see all the statistics such as the win/loss percentage, the Live Book data, and even search with an engine, all straight from the browser. Read on to learn more!

9/6/2021 – With so many cloud-based tools and services with 'cloud' in their name, it would be easy to overlook this incredibly useful tool inside ChessBase 16, which allows you to seamlessly work across multiple devices and even share with others in real time. Even professional players can miss this tool, and what is more it integrates directly with the web apps from ChessBase Account. Read on to learn more!

6/8/2021 – Train and analyse with video - almost like in a chess club, but simply via the browser! The new training functions in the PlayChess web browser are already being actively used by Stefan Kindermann and the Munich Chess Academy! You can see, hear, analyse, train and of course play! Anyone can create their own virtual room, invite friends and training groups and get started. Martin Fischer explains step-by-step how it works. Online training has never been so much fun!

11/3/2020 – Play chess with friends without effort, in private, and integrated video? A pleasant experience with playchess! With only 2 clicks you can organise a video chess evening with friends! Set the meeting point (virtual arena on playchess with a self defined URL) and then send the URL to your friends. They only have to open the link, click on the video and accept. Now you can see, and interact with each other, and the chess evening can start with the first game!

8/21/2020 – Live games are especially interesting, when exciting tactics are on the board, when "my" opening is played, and when innovations are tried out! The new ChessBase Live Ticker shows you these games! From thousands of live games the ChessBase Live Ticker determines which are particularly on point and exciting at the moment! One click and you are in the game! And everything can be combined with the ChessBase Web Apps for your opening training or tactics training. Try it!

3/17/2020 – You might not believe it but if you played any competitive chess in your life you probably would have good chances to win should you ever play against Carlsen, Caruana or another top player. Well, sort of! Don't believe us? Try the ChessBase WinChain! | Photo: Public Domain via Pixabay

6/10/2019 – Why is it so much fun to solve tactical puzzles? The first reason has nothing to do with chess: Solving an interesting problem brings a sense of achievement. This releases a quantity of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a complex neurotransmitter and constitutes part of the brain’s neurochemical motivation and reward mechanism, often cited in pop culture as the “hormone of happiness”. It is the same substance your head gets overdosed with when you fall in love.

5/23/2019 – ChessBase invites you to follow the top players and the top tournaments live — with the WebApp "Live Chess". This section of the ChessBase ecosystem offers more than just viewing the games: you can analyse in our full-featured game viewer, check current theory, tweet the game, open the games in the Live Database, MyGames or Fritz and much more. Try it! | Drawing: ChessBase

8/6/2018 – No matter whether you have a PC, a Mac, a tablet, iPad, smartphone or iPhone — the Tactics App of the ChessBase Account runs on all devices because it runs in your browser and is easy to use. Challenge yourself! How far can you advance in the rankings? Show how good you are — without time pressure. Or get the adrenaline flowing and try a tactic duel against another player!

5/14/2018 – The ChessBase Account includes exciting training apps but did you ever try the "Chess Quiz" app? It's fun and a challenge - you can test, show, and deepen your knowledge about chess and chess trivia. Enjoy! | Photo: ChessBase

4/10/2018 – Calculating variations quickly and precisely is the basis for success in chess. Of course, modern chess engines calculate quicker and more precise than any human being. And Fritz 16 can help you to improve your calculation skills. An earlier tutorial focused on basic calculation training. Now we take a look at how more advanced calculators can take advantage of the tools in Fritz and the ChessBase account | Drawing: ChessBase