3/26/2026 – Last week we honored Jan Timman, who passed away a few weeks ago, by studying his brilliant attacking game against Anatoli Karpov. This week at Chessbase we dedicate our shows to the legendary Viktor Kortchnoi, who would have turned 95. Hans Ree wrote that Viktor told him back in the day that he choose Kortchnoi as the right spelling of his name, since it combines something from several languages. Our Game of the Week is his amazing attacking game against Mijo Udovcic. Merijn's show is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.

3/26/2026 – The oldest surviving chess book is Lucena's "Repetición de Amores y Arte de Ajedrez" from 1497. One of the few remaining copies is now being auctioned at Sotheby's. Anyone looking to spruce up their chess book collection should seize this opportunity. | Photo: Sotheby's

3/26/2026 – At the Prague International Chess Festival 2026, the popular Hand & Brain format followed right after the main event, bringing together Grandmasters, Challengers, Futures players, celebrities, and sponsors in mixed teams for four entertaining rounds. Among the standout games was the pairing of Divya Deshmukh & Christina Jordan against Bao Anh Angelina Nguyen Doan & Benjamin Gledura. The game seemed firmly in White’s hands before the momentum shifted dramatically, turning into a commanding position for Black. In a remarkable finish, Gledura discovered a brilliant tactical idea that everyone else at the table missed—including his own partner.

3/25/2026 – After twelve rounds of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, SC Viernheim lead the standings with a three-point margin over OSG Baden-Baden, while Schachfreunde Wolfhagen remain within reach in third place. The latest weekend saw Viernheim maintain their perfect record with two further wins, as both Baden-Baden and Wolfhagen dropped points in drawn matches. The title race is set to be shaped by direct encounters at the three final rounds in Berlin. | Pictured: Viernheim's Igor Kovalenko | Photo: Angelika Valkova

3/25/2026 – In the latest episode of his Power Play Show, GM Daniel King dedicated the video to Viktor Korchnoi on what would have been his 95th birthday. | Free for all to watch. All the usual puzzles, games and instruction will be on offer.

3/25/2026 – Oliver Kurmann wants to become a grandmaster – at the age of 41! In an interview with the Swiss Chess Federation, the international master from Switzerland, who competed for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last weekend, talks about his career, training and ambitions - with ChessBase playing a key role. | Pictured: Oliver Kurmann drew his game last weekend in the Chess Bundesliga for Bayern Munich - he faced Georg Meier of SC Viernheim | Photo: Angelika Valkova

3/25/2026 – A classical match between Hans Niemann and Awonder Liang will take place in Paris from 10 to 15 April, as the US grandmasters contest a 12-game showdown at the Blitz Society. Played at a 60+30 time control with two games per day, the encounter combines sporting stakes with a charitable pledge from the loser. Both players arrive with recent match experience, adding competitive context to a fixture unfolding alongside the Candidates cycle. | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club (US Championship 2025)

3/24/2026 – Across Latin America, chess leaders and public institutions are prioritising education initiatives over elite tournaments, aiming to expand the game's social impact and long-term growth. A memorandum signed in San José by government bodies, FIDE and regional organisers sets the stage for pilot school programmes in Costa Rica. The article explores the strategy behind this approach and the key figures promoting chess as a tool for development. | Photos: FIDE

3/24/2026 – International Master Tania Sachdev visited RP Goenka School in Kolkata for what turned out to be a truly memorable interaction. What stood out wasn't just the questions - but the confidence, clarity and leadership shown by children as young as eight. In this heartwarming account, Tania reflects on young minds, the role of sport and the moments from school that stay with us forever. It's wonderful to see what Tania is doing apart from playing chess and commentating - inspiring the next generation!

3/24/2026 – The new Opening Encyclopaedia 2026 offers comprehensive and easy access to modern opening theory, helping players build, expand, and refine their repertoire with clarity and confidence. With 1,586 in-depth articles, over 40,000 games, and 100 expert video lessons from leading grandmasters, it combines cutting-edge ideas with practical explanations and annotated examples. Designed for players of all levels, it is an essential all-in-one resource to stay up to date with the latest trends and gain a decisive edge in the opening.

3/24/2026 – Double check the check: Rook endings have a large drawish tendency, but Black's last check was a fatal mistake: White to move and win.

3/24/2026 – The great tradition of chess cafés seemed to be something of the past, but now Sven Rehders, together with several other chess activists, is attempting to revive cafés and restaurants as meeting places for chess enthusiasts. And it is working. A smart app is helping to make it happen.