Women's World Championship: a quick draw in game 7

5/13/2018 – The seventh game of the Women's World Championship match between reigning World Champion Tan Zhongyi and challenger Ju Wenjun was drawn after 33 moves. Ju Wenjun now leads by 4-3 and Tan Zhongyi has only three more games to catch up and to keep her title. | Photos: Gu Xiaobing

Women's World Championship: Tan Zhongyi wins game six

5/12/2018 – The first five games of the Women's World Championship between reigning world champion Tan Zhongyi and challenger Ju Wenjun were played in Shanghai, Ju's hometown, the second five are played in Chongqing, Tan's hometown. After five games Ju led with 3½-1½ but in game six Tan hit back and shortened the lead to 3½-2½ with four games to go. | Photo: Gu Xiaobing

Ideas to help your child discover the joy of chess

5/11/2018 – We all know that teaching chess to little kids can be very tricky. People who tried teaching their six or seven year olds will know how the experience can either be a cherishable memory or a slow torture you somehow want to survive, especially with a group of naughty kids. The way the pendulum swings depends on how much you understand them and what your approach is towards teaching. In this article, Arun J, who is a chess coach based in Pondicherry, will share with us some ideas which we can use to help our children to discover the joy of chess.

St. Petersburg wins Russian Team Championship

5/11/2018 – Peter Svidler won eight Russian Individual National Championships and in 2000, 2001, and 2013 he became Russian Team Champion with St. Petersburg. At this year's Russian Team Championships Svidler won his fourth naional team title for St. Petersburg. Alex Yermolinsky analyses highlights from the event. | Photo: Eteri Kublashvili

Unpin and win!?

5/11/2018 – In the diagram position Black's knight d6 seems immobile due to the hanging rook on d8. Would you dare to take the pawn e4 as White here — and how?

Nigel Short runs for FIDE President

5/10/2018 – Nigel Short wants to become FIDE President. In 2010 and in 2014 Short supported the campaigns of Karpov and Kasparov. It's been a while since three candidates ran for president in the FIDE elections, but now Ilyumzhinov, Makropoulos, and Short are all in the running. CONRAD SCHORMANN recounts a bit of history and shares his opinion of what is bound to be an interesting period in international chess politics. | Photo: British Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic

Grandelius and Vidit co-champions at TePe Sigeman & Co

5/10/2018 – TePe Sigeman & Co took place in Malmo, Sweden from May 4th to 8th, with Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi, Alexander Morozevich, Nils Grandelius, Benjamin Gledura, Aryan Tari and IM Linus Johansson. In the end, Vidit managed to catch Grandelius to tie for first. It was Grandelius' second consecutive tie for first in Malmo. Games annotated by GM Mikhail Golubev. | Photo: Macauley Peterson

CHESS: Find the winning move

5/9/2018 – Here's another opportunity to sharpen your tactical skills: twelve positions taken from recent tournament. But we have a little surprise for you: on the diagram boards you can not only move the pieces around to analyse — there is also an embedded engine that will actually play out the position against you. Which means you can work things out directly on the diagrams in the browser. How neat is that?

An exceptional line-up in Biel

5/9/2018 – The Chess Festival in Biel takes place from July 21 to August 1, 2018, and the grandmaster tournament will be exceptionally strong. All six players of the ACCENTUS Grandmaster Tournament are now known. World Champion Magnus Carlsen will also face world number 3 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan) in Biel. A new multi-round Fischer Random Chess Tournament will be held at the Biel Chess Festival, as well as three ACCENTUS simultaneous tournaments for 75 juniors. Press release.

Stalemate?

5/9/2018 – Some people consider stalemate an injustice - but according to the current rules of chess stalemate is a draw. Which sometimes helps to save seemingly hopeless positions.

Stanley Druckenmiller wins Alexander Hamilton Award

5/8/2018 – Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the USA and the first Secretary of the Treasury. To honour his memory the Manhattan Institute gives the Alexander Hamilton Award to public figures that are seen to incorporate the spirit of this legendary figure. 2018, Stanley Druckenmiller, Co-Founder of the Kasparov Chess Foundation, received the prestigious award. The Kasparov Chess Foundation congratulates. | (Photo: Kasparov Chess Foundation

The Weekly Show with Lawrence Trent

5/8/2018 – Tuesdays at 18:00 CEST (5 pm UK time, Noon EDT) Lawrence Trent goes on air on Playchess.com. In his show, Lawrence will be dealing with the latest trends, games and combinations from elite chess tournaments. Today, Lawrence will have a look at games from the 4NCL.

TePe Sigeman & Co LIVE

5/8/2018 – TePe Sigeman & Co takes place in Malmo, Sweden from May 4th to 8th, with Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi, Alexander Morozevich, Nils Grandelius, Benjamin Gledura, Aryan Tari and IM Linus Johansson. Live games and commentary by Yasser Seirawan and Stellan Brynell from 14:00 CEST (8:00 AM EDT) | Photos via the official site: tepesigemanchess.com which includes excellent player interviews by Swedish organiser and promoter Ingemar Falk.

Women's World Championship, game four: Tan Zhongyi strikes back

5/8/2018 – The Women's World Championship between reigning world champion Tan Zhongyi (photo) and challenger Ju Wenjun is full of action. After a draw in the first game Ju won games two and three but in in game four Tan hit back. After four games and before the restday on Tuesday Ju now leads 2½-1½. | Photo: Gu Xiaobing

Simon Says — Some amazing moves part 2

5/7/2018 – In this Simon Says, Simon Williams takes a look at some of the most amazing moves of all time. Come and join the show for lots of entertaining chess! Watch now from the archive. | Photo: Alina l'Ami

Women's World Championship: Ju Wenjun surges ahead

5/7/2018 – Tan Zhongyi has a rating of 2522, is number ten on the women's rating list, and reigning Women's World Champion, but with a rating of 2571 challenger Ju Wenjun is number two on the women's rating list and favourite to win the Women's World Championship match in Shanghai. Ju indeed dominates at the start of the ten-game match and after three games leads 2½-½. In game three Tan lost in 27 moves after misplaying the opening. | Photos: Gu Xiaobing

1st Ron Finegold Memorial

5/7/2018 – Open weekend tournaments in the United States are proof of chess as a very competitive high stakes sport. Local tournaments often celebrate the changing of seasons, recurring events, or, as in this case, memorialise a master player who dearly loved chess, and gifted such passion to his children. GM Elshan Moradiabadi took top honours in the inaugural Ron Finegold Memorial, held at the new Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Atlanta, which was founded by his son, Ben. Report and photos by DAVIDE NASTASIO

Speelman's Agony #75

5/6/2018 – Agony and ecstasy from IM John Cox. John takes a look at one of his own games, plus an agonising fragment from Cox's past. Just a reminder — Jon can always use more material from readers which can be sent either to the Dropbox mentioned below or directly to him at jonathan@speelman.demon.co.uk. If your games are selected for the Agony column, not only will you get free detailed commentary of your games by one of chess’s great authors and instructors, and former world no. 4 player, but you also win a free three-month ChessBase Premium Account!

Miedny Vsadnik leads Russian Team Champs

5/6/2018 – The Russian Team Championship has long been one of the strongest team events of the year, often with elite players from abroad mixed with local talents. This year, due to economic difficulties, many times were forced to forego on big names, but as pointed out by author ALEX YERMOLINSKY, this is almost a blessing in disguise as many talented local masters and grandmasters find themselves invited to play. Enjoy this illustrated report with various commented games. | Photo: Russian Chess Federation

The Amazing Albin Counter-Gambit

5/5/2018 – If one desires to advance in chess, and become good like a Morphy, to learn and play actively a gambit is a must. Reviewer DAVIDE NASTASIO says IM Trent is the right guide, because he plays the Albin Counter-Gambit, and knows the pros and cons. The Albin counter-gambit can be a useful new weapon for tournament or blitz games. Thanks to a detailed study one will improve the understanding of the initiative, while learning to disregard material, in order to have a strong attacking game. The top names, who play this exciting opening, are proof it is a sound opening too! By the way, The Albin Counter-Gambit is: GingerGM approved!

Grandelius aims to repeat at TePe Sigeman & Co

5/5/2018 – In a town rich in history, comes a tournament to match. This year's Sigeman & Co tournament (now co-sponsored by the oral hygiene company Tepe) is the 24th edition and has an interesting mix of six players participating for five days in Malmo, Sweden. Vidit Gujrathi is the top seed, but Alexander Morozevich is sure to garner some attention as he makes a rare appearance in a strong tournament. More young talents, Aryan Tari and Benjamin Gledura join Swedes Nils Grandelius and Linus Johansson to round out the field. The Swedish number one leads after one round. GM TIGER HILLARP PERSSON annotates his win. | Pictured: At the opening dinner, Tari leans towards Vidit as Gledura looks on. | Photos: Macauley Peterson

Women's World Championship: Ju wins with black

5/4/2018 – The 2018 Women's World Chess Championship has begun in Shanghai, China. In game one we saw a Queens Gambit Accepted that simplified to a drawn endgame, ending in 63 moves. In game two the opening was a seldom seen variation of the English Opening. Ju Wenjun took advantage of the defending champions somewhat timid choice of 3.d3 and scored a win with the black pieces in 55 moves. Live games from 9:00 AM CEST (3:00 AM EDT) | Photo: Gu Xiaobing

Tune your tactics: Bishop g5 vs. Bishop e7

5/4/2018 – A solid tactical understanding is sure to help any chess player in critical situations. Whether it is a simple exchange or a mating attack, tactics are ubiquitous. Take advantage of the opportunity to develop your tactical understanding in this series with IM Oliver Reeh and Pascal Simon! Friday's at 15:30 CET (9:00 AM EDT) it's all about Bishop g5 vs. Bishop e7!!

The weak g-pawn

5/4/2018 – After 17...Nb3 in the diagram position White intends the double attack 18.Qd3, targeting both the black knight and the pawn g6 in front of the king g8. A nice idea, actually — but can you see why Black went for this continuation anyway?