11/12/2025 – The World Chess Show returns with Episode 8, "The Price of the Game", premiering on 11 November across 156 markets and 53 networks worldwide. Produced by World Chess, the programme explores how chess has evolved from a niche pastime into a global industry. Featuring insights from key sponsors and innovators, it examines the commercial transformation of modern chess and the forces that continue to drive its growth and popularity. | Photo: World Chess

11/12/2025 – In his best games, Vincent Keymer’s chess sense seems almost magical. In the second game of round three of the World Cup in Goa, he had Black against Indian grandmaster Pranesh M. After 29 moves, five of his six remaining pieces had retreated to the back rank — yet Black already stood better. Only twelve moves later, as if by sleight of hand, Keymer's pieces controlled the queenside, the kingside and the centre, breaking through into White’s position. It was an important and impressive victory for Keymer, who advanced to round 4 of the World Cup. | Photo: Michal Walusza

11/12/2025 – After a well-earned rest day, the FIDE World Cup resumed on Tuesday in Goa with the round-of-32. The battle for three Candidates places continued to tighten as underdogs Lorenzo Lodici and Karthik Venkataraman held solid draws with black. Levon Aronian and Jose Martinez scored the day's only wins, while Arjun Erigaisi drew fan favourite Peter Leko and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu escaped with a draw in a difficult game against Daniil Dubov. | Photo: Michal Walusza

11/12/2025 – In “Endgame Academy Volume 2:Theoretical Rook Endgames,” Grandmaster Dr. Karsten Müller teaches the essential knowledge needed to master the most common rook endgames and confidently convert advantages into victories. Using classic motifs such as the Philidor, Lucena, and Vancura positions, he explains all key principles in a clear and practical way. Interactive exercises with a scoring system allow you to track your learning progress and actively apply what you’ve learned.

11/11/2025 – In this video, Matthias Wüllenweber demonstrates the new Opening Report in ChessBase 26, one of the software’s most powerful and innovative tools. Using the Sicilian Najdorf Poisoned Pawn as an example, he shows how the feature generates interactive reports with strategic themes, historical insights, fashion trends, and statistics filtered by player strength. The Opening Report combines theory, training, and entertainment—offering annotated lines, instructive games, and even tactical exercises that help players deeply understand their chosen openings.

11/11/2025 – This interview with Matthias Wüllenweber, Head of Development at ChessBase, was recorded last week, just before the official release of ChessBase 26. In it, he presents the major innovations of the new version, including the redesigned Opening Report, the Fashion Index, and the powerful Monte Carlo Analysis. If you missed it then, now’s the perfect time to discover how ChessBase 26 has evolved into a smarter, more intuitive tool for your chess training.

11/11/2025 – On November 11, 2025, the time has come: ChessBase’26 will be released and available in the ChessBase Shop. Don’t miss out — get ChessBase’26 with its many exciting new features! Look forward to the latest edition of your chess database software and order it from tomorrow in our shop. Then you can start enjoying all the new features right away.

11/11/2025 – Matthias Wuellenweber presents ChessBase 26’s major innovations, beginning with the Enhanced Opening Report, which automatically generates deep statistical and thematic analyses — including pioneer players, popularity graphs, and tactical training positions — all tailored by Elo level to show how openings perform from club players to grandmasters. He introduces new analytical tools, such as Monte Carlo Analysis (engine-vs-engine simulations revealing true practical chances), AI plan descriptions that explain positions in natural language, and piece-manoeuvre visualizations that display typical movement patterns on the board. Finally, he showcases improved usability and design updates, including faster ray-traced 3D boards, streamlined engine management, upgraded duplicate-game detection, and modernized database icons for a smoother, more visually appealing experience.

11/11/2025 – On 9 November 1985, Garry Kasparov defeated Anatoly Karpov in the 24th game of their World Championship match and became the 13th World Chess Champion. It was the conclusion of an extraordinary duel. The first match between the two, begun in 1984, had been abandoned after 48 games without a decisive result. In the rematch, the rules were changed: the match was limited to 24 games, and the reigning champion would retain the title in case of a tie. Across the two matches, Kasparov had to play a total of 72 games against Karpov to claim the crown — one of the most demanding World Championship battles in chess history. | Photos: Tass Archive

11/11/2025 – The second rank defense: This is one of the two main defensive systems in the endgame rook and bishop against rook. The computer tablebases have confirmed that it holds: Black to move and draw.

11/11/2025 – Hikaru Nakamura has completed his campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament by reaching the required 40 classical games. The world number two played the Washington Dulles Open last weekend, sharing first place and fulfilling the FIDE threshold. His strategy of entering smaller North American tournaments has proved effective, leaving him well-placed to claim the rating qualification spot for the Candidates. | Photo: Rick Massimo / US Chess

11/10/2025 – The road to the World Chess Championship will lead to Cyprus in 2026, as the FIDE Candidates and Women's Candidates Tournaments take place side by side from 28 March to 16 April at the coastal Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort near Paphos. Returning to Europe after Toronto 2024, the double event promises intense battles among the world's top players in one of the most prestigious and tradition-filled competitions.