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!

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

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!

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

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

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!!

5/1/2018 – In a nail-biting rapid and blitz playoff, Nazi Paikidze came from behind to take her second U.S. Women's Championship title. Annie Wang played brilliantly in the first rapid game, winning with the White pieces in fine style. But Paikidze kept her cool, and in the second rapid game in a must-win situation, she stunned Wang with a clutch win, and then took the sudden death 'Armageddon' game, and with it the Championship. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

4/30/2018 – Top class U.S. Championship chess returned to Saint Louis Chess & Scholastic Center for the tenth time from April 18th to 30th. Sam Shankland won the Open Championship with an astounding score of 8½ / 11. The Women's Championship will be decided in a rapid and (if necessary) Armageddon blitz tiebreak match between Annie Wang, and Nazi Paikidze. Live games and commentary from Yasser Seirawan, Jennifer Shahade and Maurice Ashley starting at 20:00 CEST (13:00 CDT, local St. Louis time).

4/30/2018 – In this Simon Says, Simon Williams will be taking a look at some of the most amazing moves of all time. Come and join the show for lots of entertaining chess! Watch live from 18:00 CEST (12 Noon EDT). Puzzles, free sample and information inside... | Photo: Alina l'Ami

4/30/2018 – It was a fantastic final sprint as both Fabiano Caruana and Sam Shankland fought to win their games to deny each other the title. Sam Shankland won again, giving his rival Fabiano Caruana no chance to steal it, and thus became the 2018 US Champion with a near 2900 performance. Nazi Paikidze and Annie Wang finished tied and will decide the title in a playoff on Monday. Report and analysis by GM ALEX YERMOLINSKY | Photo: Lennart Ootes

4/29/2018 – From Sunday through Tuesday, the German League's central finals takes place in Berlin. Solingen SG and the OSG Baden-Baden are fighting for first place. The unified Bundesliga has been around for 37 years, with the first season played in 1980 and 1981. At that time the Solingen SG won, after a tie against the team of SG Porz. There was a world champion among the participants. | Pictured: Boris Spassky, Chess Olympiad Thessaloniki 1984 | Photo: Gerhard Hund

4/29/2018 – The writing was on the wall, and the last round clash between Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren remained somewhat anticlimactic as they drew after just 27 moves. To be fair, Magnus never gave his opponent a chance to liven things up. The one decisive game of the last round was Sergey Karjakin’s win over Veselin Topalov. A great tournament victory for the World Champion with signs of what is to come. | Photo: Shamkir Chess