5/9/2022 – The legendary grandmaster Yuri Averbakh passed away in Moscow. Yuri Averbakh was the world’s oldest living Grandmaster. In his prime, he was one of the strongest players in the USSR and the world, and in 1953 he took part in the legendary Candidates Tournament in Zurich. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Yuri Lvovich’s family and loved ones. Video added. | Photo: Maria Emellianova

5/9/2022 – After the fourth round of the Superbet Chess Classic, Wesley So is leading the standings table with 3 points. With his win over Ian Nepomniachtchi, So single-handedly put a previously tied rival at a distance, while Bogdan-Daniel Deac, the third member of the pre-round leading trio, had to settle for a draw against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. There were also wins for Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (over Fabiano Caruana) and Levon Aronian (over Leinier Dominguez). | Photo: Lennart Ootes

5/9/2022 – The traditional TePe Sigeman & Co tournament took place on May 3-9 as an 8-player single round-robin event. An exciting mix of veterans and rising stars made for an enjoyable tournament, as defending champion Jorden van Foreest was joined by the likes of Michael Adams, Alexei Shirov, Arjun Erigaisi and Hans Niemann. | Photo: Lars OA Hedlund

5/8/2022 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books about chess training and chess strategy. In the 78th instalment of his ChessBase show "Understanding before Moving", Herman continues to talk about pawn majorities. | Photo: Pascal Simon

5/8/2022 – Some of the most regrettable chess stories are those of great players leaving the game at the peak of their powers. First, there was Paul Morphy, then, more than a century later, Robert Fischer. Very few probably know or remember that shortly after Morphy left, another brilliant player took his talents elsewhere. He was not of Morphy’s stature, certainly, but all the same, it was a pity that the world saw no more of his chess. That man was Ignatz von Kolisch.

5/7/2022 – For a third day in a row, we got to see one of five games ending decisively at the Superbet Chess Classic in Bucharest. Bogdan-Daniel Deac, the clear underdog in the field, joined Wesley So and Ian Nepomniachtchi in the lead after making the most of Richard Rapport’s one-move blunder. Meanwhile, Levon Aronian escaped against Alireza Firouzja, who could not convert his advantage in a double-edged endgame. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

5/4/2022 – Perhaps we have already heard the statement that all rook endgames are drawn. But even if this is the case, how to draw? And if it isn't the case, how to defend correctly, or transfer the position to a win? Svitlana explains the principles of rook endgames, with some examples by Alekhine, Capablanca, Firouzja, and Mamedyarov.

5/4/2022 – The Alapin Variation (1.e4 c5 2.c3) is a very solid system for White. Logically, you have no chance to avoid it with Black, if you play the Sicilian. So you should be well-prepared when answering 1.e4 with ...c5. In the new ChessBase Magazine #207, Markus Ragger presents a complete repertoire against the Alapin: after 2...d5 3.exd5 he recommends the side line 3...Nf6, which leads to sharp play and completely different structures than one would expect in a normal c3-Sicilian. In CBM #207 you will also find two more opening videos: Rustam Kasimdzhanov puts the highly topical English Four Kinights Game with 4.e4 (Bc5) to the test and Mihail Marin presents a good old idea by Bent Larsen in the Sicilian Dragon Variation. You can watch an excerpt from Ragger's video analysis here!

5/3/2022 – "There were few moments in the course of a conversation that leave one speechless – if our profession did not require us to ask questions," writes Björn Jensen, reporter of Hamburg's major daily newspaper. He visited Tykhon Cherniaiev, the 12-year-old chess supertalent from Ukraine, who fled his country and is now staying in Hamburg, Germany, where he is attending school and pursuing his chess career. | Photo of Tykhon with his coach GM Dorian Rogozenco by Michael Rauhe/FUNKE Foto Services.

5/3/2022 – In his ‘Weekly Show’ Lawrence Trent does a round-up of the action over the past week, including the Capablanca Memorial, the Bundesliga and the Oslo Esports Cup. Lawrence also analyses a nice attacking game he played at the Bundesliga Nord Division! | Lawrence’s show is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here

5/3/2022 – The Superbet Chess Classic Romania will be held in Bucharest, Romania at the Sheraton Hotel from May 5 to May 14. It will include all nine full tour players and one wildcard player, Romanian Grandmaster Bogdan-Daniel Deac. A star-studded field has Alireza Firouzja, Levon Aronian and Fabiano Caruana as the top seeds. | Photo: Lennart Ootes (2021)

5/3/2022 – Passed pawns are often strong and connected passed pawns are even stronger. In the diagrammed position it is White to move - how can he use the power of his passed pawns to win the game?