Strongest chess tournament in U.S. history

11/23/2024 – Most of the world's top players – including world number one Magnus Carlsen – have confirmed their participation in the World Rapid & Blitz Championship. With a spectacular line-up, a prize fund of nearly $1.5 million, and the electrifying rapid format, this promises to be the most thrilling chess event of the year. The event takes place from December 26–31, 2024. FIDE press release.

Long range

11/23/2024 – In the diagram position White has no chance against the huge pair of bishops. In the game it was over immediately after 45.Qf6, perhaps you'll also have a thought or two about 45.Bf3. Enjoy!

Freestyle Summit: Carlsen holds draw with black, beats Caruana 1½-½

11/23/2024 – Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious in an entertaining two-game Freestyle Chess match against Fabiano Caruana, held at two stunning venues. The Norwegian claimed a wild first game with white before defending a tense 74-move battle in game two to secure the overall win. Sponsored by Jan-Henric Buettner, the event dazzled with luxury, including a $44 million golden chess set. Just days before the World Championship match between Ding Liren and Dommaraju Gukesh, this exhibition showcased Carlsen's brilliance in this innovative format. | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy / ChessBase India
More...
 3

Two Knights Talk: Who will win the World Chess Championship match 2024?

11/22/2024 – In the latest episode of "Two Knights Talk", Arne Kähler and Johannes Fischer discuss the World Championship match between defending champion Ding Liren and challenger Gukesh D, which starts on Monday 25th November in Singapore. Eighteen-year-old Gukesh is a heavy favourite and has good chances of becoming the youngest World Champion of all time. But the "Two Knights" wonder if things are as clear-cut as they seem, talk about the appeal and addictive nature of World Championship matches, and venture a prediction on the outcome of the upcoming match.
More...
 3

Style Report in ChessBase 18

11/22/2024 – ChessBase 18 now provides insights into players that go beyond mere opening statistics. Evaluating players is a somewhat delicate matter, and mistakes could be embarrassing. However, the Style Report hits the mark surprisingly well. For historical stars whose styles are well-known, all the classic clichés are spot-on. Most importantly, you can learn something about your next opponent—or about the most important player of all: yourself.

Learning the Shirov Killer

11/22/2024 – There are tactical motifs which are continuously repeated and can be learned exactly like we learn opening theory. I feel that the correct approach is to collect thematic, nearly identical positions which are involved on similar patterns which you should look for. In this survey I will present an often met tactical motif I call the "Shirov Killer." It was wonderfully demonstrated by legendary GM Alexei Shirov in an Internet blitz game.
More...
 5

Freestyle Chess Summit: Carlsen and Caruana freestyle in Singapore

11/22/2024 – On 21 and 22 November Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, the world's number 1 and the world's number 2, clash in the "Freestyle Chess Summit" in Singapore. Just before the start of the World Chess Championship match between Gukesh D and Ding Liren, Carlsen and Caruana play two freestyle games with a time limit of 60 minutes for the whole game and 30 seconds increment per move. The games start at 20.00 local time (13.00 CET, 7.00 ET). Follow the event live with commentary by Tania Sachdev and Danny Rensch.
More...
 3

Game of the Week #646: V. Fedoseev - A. Indjic

11/21/2024 – In his new Game of the Week show, Merijn van Delft praises the new European Champion Aleksandar Indjic by taking a look at his brilliant win against Vladimir Fedoseev at the European Championship. | Merijn's show is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.
More...
 2

Freestyle Summit: Carlsen wins wild first game

11/21/2024 – Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious in the opening game of the Freestyle Chess Summit, defeating Fabiano Caruana aboard the luxurious SilentWorld yacht. Carlsen's dynamic play with the white pieces outshone Caruana's strategies in a double-edged, entertaining encounters. The two rivals are rekindling their fierce competition from the 2018 World Championship, a few days before the start of the match for the world crown in Singapore. | Photo: Abhyudaya Ram / ChessBase India
More...
 2

"As the engines get better, the engines get stupider": Àlvar Alonso on the Caro-Kann Defence

11/21/2024 – IM Hannes Langrock had a look at one of our latest Fritztrainers, 'How to play the Caro-Kann' by Spanish GM Àlvar Alonso Rosell, and stumbled across the realisation quoted above. Modern engines judge precisely, but explain nothing. Àlvar Alonso Rosell, on the other hand, explains ideas and plans in great detail, says Hannes Langrock.
More...
 2

ECU Trainers and Coaches

11/21/2024 – The European Chess Union (ECU) is an independent association for the interests of European chess. It is an affiliated organisation to FIDE, the oldest and strongest continental chess power, founded in 1985. The ECU Trainers Commission (ETC) is the youngest body, founded in late 2022, with its main mission to support the training programs and development in European chess. Here are the regulations and details of the courses for chess coaches.
More...
 1

In memory of Lev Polugaevsky

11/20/2024 – In the 1960s and 1970s, Lev Polugaevsky was one of the best players in the world. He played in the USSR team in the 'USSR vs. the Rest of the World' competition, and was a multiple World Chess Championship candidate. He would have been 90 years old today. | Photo: Anefo / Croes, R.C.
More...
 10

Aleksandar Indjic wins 2024 European Championship

11/20/2024 – The 2024 European Individual Chess Championship concluded in Petrovac, Montenegro, with Serbian GM Aleksandar Indjic emerging as the sole winner. Seeded 33rd, Indjic delivered a stunning performance, scoring 9/11 points and remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Belgian GM Daniel Dardha claimed silver with 8½/11, while German GM Frederik Svane secured bronze, thanks to the best Buchholz tiebreaker among 11 players tied on 8 points. | Photos: Stefana Milutinovic
More...
 1

Freestyle Chess Summit: Live

11/20/2024 – On 20 November Magnus Carlsen and Tania Sachdev will play two Freestyle (Chess960) "Hand and Head" games with a time control of 10+10 against Fabiano Caruana and Maurice Ashley. On 21 and 22 November, Carlsen and Caruana will play a small Freestyle match of two games with a time control of 60+30. Follow the "Hand and Head" match live with commentary by Daniel Rensch and Sagar Shah.
More...
 3

Tata Steel Chess 2025: Caruana, Gukesh and Wei amid stellar field

11/20/2024 – The 87th Tata Steel Chess Tournament returns to Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, from 17 January to 2 February 2025, promising an electrifying start to the chess calendar. With five players from the world's top ten, including past champions Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri and Wei Yi, the field is stacked with talent. India's Dommaraju Gukesh, the youngest challenger for the World Championship in history, will also feature after his title clash in Singapore. Rising stars like junior world champions Kazybek Nogerbek and Divya Deshmukh, alongside prodigies Faustino Oro and Lu Miaoyi, will be playing in the Challengers. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
More...
 2

Showdown in Singapore: Ding Liren v. Dommaraju Gukesh

11/19/2024 – The 2024 FIDE World Championship match, sponsored by Google, will unfold in Singapore from November 23 to December 13, pitting reigning champion Ding Liren against 18-year-old prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh. The duo will battle across 14 classical games for the lion's share of a $2.5 million prize fund. Ding, a seasoned champion, faces Gukesh, the youngest-ever challenger and a rising star in chess. With high stakes, expert analysis and unpredictable outcomes, this clash promises to captivate chess enthusiasts worldwide.
More...
 12

European Championship in Montenegro: Live

11/19/2024 – Almost 400 players will take part in the European Individual Championship 2024 (8 to 19 November) in Petrovac (Montenegro). After ten of eleven rounds, the Serbian GM Aleksandar Indjic leads with an 8½/10 score, while Daniel Dardha stands in sole second place a half point back. The 20 best players qualify for the World Cup. The final round starts at 13.00 local time. Follow it live with the official commentary of the European Chess Union.
More...
 11

A quick and complete review and overview of ChessBase 18

11/19/2024 – This exceptionally clear and concise video will show you not only all the features of the newly released ChessBase 18, but demonstrates how they can be used by amateurs and pros alike (not to mention some that are just plain fun). Even the new mobile app is on display in full live action with the database, repertoires and opening stats all available.
More...
 7

Be careful!

11/19/2024 – You should be extra careful before liquidating into a pawn endgame. In the diagram position it is Black to move and win. What should he do?
12345...Next