12/15/2020 – When it comes to strategy, one of the key things that chess professionals understand much better than amateur players is the role of the bishop. Why do two bishops (‘the bishop pair’) complement each other to such an extent that they are a major long-term force? How is being a long-range piece an essential trademark of the bishop? Why do strong players regularly tuck their bishop away on its initial square? Questions like these will be examined on this strategy video course.

12/15/2020 – The opening night of the Russian production of the musical CHESS took place in the Broadway Moscow Theatre in October. It is scheduled to become the first and only large-scale musical premiere in Russia this Fall, if and when the restrictions on presentation of theatrical productions have been lifted by the authorities. We have some videos from the premiere for you to watch. That is something you really should not miss.

12/15/2020 – Due to a loss against Daniil Dubov, Ian Nepomniachtchi gave up the sole lead in the open section of the Russian Superfinals — Sergey Karjakin, who drew Vladimir Fedoseev, caught up with ‘Nepo’ atop the standings. In the women’s tournament, Polina Shuvalova saved a draw and is still in the lead. | Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

12/15/2020 – This year we are launching our "Christmas Fritztrainer Calendar". For the next 24 days, you can open one of our Fritztrainer doors daily, and guess: Which Fritztrainer is this? If you send us the correct answer by email, you are participating in a raffle to win plenty of prizes, including our big Christmas surprise packages!

12/15/2020 – Stalemate draws the game, no matter whether one side has a huge material plus or not. Some chess players think that the stalemate rule is unjust and should be changed, but sometimes it leads to interesting tactical possibilities. How did Black save a draw in the diagram position?

12/14/2020 – In the 1993 film “Searching for Bobby Fischer”, disruptive parents are locked out of the playing hall. After the lockout, their children play chess games following fair play guidelines. When children play online, however, maybe parents should be looking over their shoulders. National Master Jeff Ashton and WIM Alexey Root tell why.

12/12/2020 – Mikhail Botvinnik became world champion for the first time in 1948. After defending the title twice, he lost it to Vasily Smyslov in 1957. Botvinnik reclaimed the title with a clear victory in a rematch the very next year. In game 14, he played what he called “maybe his most subtle rook ending”. Endgame specialist Karsten Müller now wonders whether a few mistakes have not been discovered yet. You can help him solve the historical riddle! | Pictured: Botvinnik v Smyslov on April 19, 1957 | Photo: Fotograaf Onbekend / Anefo

12/11/2020 – The Spanish Chess Federation organized a training match in which five of the strongest players from the Iberian country faced an international squad over ten days in La Palma, one of the Canary Islands. The double-round Scheveningen tournament came to an end on Wednesday, with the international team getting a 27:23 victory. | Pictured: Ivan Cheparinov facing Jaime Santos | Photos: Spanish Chess Federation (FEDA)

12/11/2020 – In this Power Play Show, GM Daniel King takes a look how Wesley So - successfully - plays against the King's Indian. And there will be another problem by Odette Vollenweider, the most prominent female composer of the modern era. | Power Play is on air most Fridays at 17:00 UTC (18:00 CET, 13:00 ET). All the usual puzzles, games and instruction will be on offer. | Photo: Champions Chess Tour | Archive

12/11/2020 – Vishy Anand celebrated his 50th birthday last year. But the crowd of well-wishers on his 51st birthday was almost even bigger. In a video his friends from Grenke in Baden-Baden have captured congratulations from prominent well-wishers all over the world.

12/11/2020 – After six rounds Sergey Karjakin and Ian Nepomniachtchi continue to share the lead in the Superfinal of the Russian Championship - both won their games in round 6. In the women's tournament Polina Shuvalova continues to win and with 6.0/6 she is now 1½ points ahead of the field. | Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

12/11/2020 – In this week's show, well-known Dutch trainer Robert Ris takes a look at a way to spice up the Petroff - the Stafford Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6!?. | "Fast and Furious" is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.