July 2017 FIDE ratings: Redistribution of wealth

6/30/2017 – This month's ratings list brings a number of remarkable results, all worthy of commentary. First and foremost is Levon Aronian's deserved return to the 2800-club after great wins at the Grenke Classic, and now at Norway Chess. Also worth noting is that the group of players rated 2800 or more has grown to six, but before concluding 'ratings inflation' read the commentary in the article to see if you still think that way after.

New: Robert Ris - The Chess Player's Mating Guide, Vol.2

6/30/2017 – Mating the enemy king is the ultimate goal in chess. Capturing weak pawns, exploiting open lines or playing with a good knight against a bad bishop is all well and good and might lead to a better endgame but mate immediately wins the game. And mating attacks are fun. Particularly so if you follow the advice of Robert Ris.

Plain sailing?

6/30/2017 – In the diagram position, 35.Nc7+ Kf6 36.Nxe8+ nets a whole rook for White, and on top of that with check. Who could ask for more? I do - I want to see how you continue following 36...Kg6 then!

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven: Wesley So increases lead

6/30/2017 – Day Two was very much a repeat of the previous day, with Wesley So repeating his stellar performance and increasing his lead to two points over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen, the top performers in the previous event in Paris. The games have been all quite exciting with nearly three-quarters ending in decisive results. Here is the illustrated report with GM analysis.

Sasikiran wins 52nd Capablanca Memorial 2017 - Part One

6/29/2017 – In its basic form it was just an interview, but in substance it was a master class that IM Sagar Shah received from GM Sasikiran Krishnan who had just won the 52nd Capablanca Memorial 2017. Before leaving for the FIDE World Team Championship, Sasi found some time to discuss his games from Cuba where he scored 6.5/10 and remained undefeated. This article shows you how a grandmaster rated nearly 2700 thinks and what one can learn from his words and variations.

Having fun with the Mega

6/29/2017 – The ChessBase Mega Database contains more than 6.8 million games, the whole history of chess, from 1560 to 2016. And the Mega has a powerful search mask which gives ample opportunity for a little chess fun. For instance, if you want to know what is the shortest game of all time that ended with stalemate.

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven: Wesley So storms first day

6/29/2017 – Day One of the Leuven stage of the Grand Chess Tour, held in Leuven, Belgium, was already a significant departure from Paris, which ended just days before. Whereas World Champion Magnus Carlsen had run away with the Rapid stage, while Wesley So, the world no. 2, had displayed tepid form, things took an about face on Day One in Belgium. Wesley So was in superb form, scoring 2.5/3, including a convincing win over Magnus Carlsen himself. Report and analysis by GM Alex Yermolinsky.

The Game of the Week

6/28/2017 – Every week fascinating chess games are played around the globe. IM Merijn van Delft picks his favorite game and explains all aspects from the opening to endgame which will enrichen your knowledge of all phases of the game. Tune in at 7pm Uk time.

Come play in the Shire of Modern Earth!

6/28/2017 – One of India's most recent GM Srinath Narayanan came across a chance to play in an astonishing location for a week and enjoy nature. The Baggins side in him immediately woke up. As he embarks on the adventure, he invites readers to join him at this outlandish location, that is the closest one can get to the 'Shire' in the modern earth. Visit the Faroe Islands and explore Europe's best kept secret.

New: Victor Bologan - Reti - a Repertoire for White

6/28/2017 – What to play with White? How about 1.Nf3? With this move White can steer the game into the positions he likes and Black has to be careful not to get wrong-footed. Moreover, 1.Nf3 is also objectively strong and has been played by numerous top-players and World Champions. Victor Bologan recommends a repertoire.

China and Russia win FIDE World Team Championship

6/28/2017 – It was a remarkable finish to a remarkable event. Entering the final round of the FIDE World Team Championship, gold seemed a lock for the Chinese since the only way Russia could beat them was if they not only drew Poland, but Russia beat the US by 3.5-0.5. However, the Russians did even better as they swept the US 4-0. China, in danger of faltering, was saved by Li Chao who scored a powerful and crucial win. In the Women’s Russia beat Ukraine and took gold. Final report with GM analysis.

Speelman's Agony #55

6/27/2017 – This week's games are by Tanmay Srinath, who is sixteen and from Bangalore, India. A Taekwondo Black Belt, his is an international gold medalist, who has represented India at the highest level with distinction. Tanmay started playing chess at the age of 13 and has already played in four state championships and one national open. Jon Speelman evaluates his Agony and Ecstasy games.

The Weekly Show with Lawrence Trent

6/27/2017 – Tuesdays at 5pm UK time Lawrence Trent goes on air on Playchess.com. In his show Lawrence Trent will be dealing with the latest trends, games and combinations from the elite chess tournaments. This week is all about the Grand Chess Tour and the World Team Championship.

Mating nets

6/27/2017 – A mating attack in the middlegame is a fine thing. So is a mating attack in the endgame. And in the endgame you can invite your king to the party.

Chess Informant 50th Jubilee Tourney (2)

6/27/2017 – A while ago we brought you the prize-winners of the composition tournaments, run by Yochanan Afek for the Chess Informant (Šahovski Informator). Today we present the "honourable mentions", special prizes and commendations, for you to enjoy. The studies are given on JavaScript boards where you can enter move to analyse – and the full solutions are provided at the end, where you can check the lines with engine support, all on the report page.

Simon says

6/26/2017 – In this Simon Says Simon Williams will took a look at some examples of when piece exchanges have really helped one side. Tune in for some lively fun later! An example and more information...

Magnus Carlsen wins Grand Chess Tour - Paris in exciting finish

6/26/2017 – After dominating the Rapid games, it looked like it would be a Magnus Carlsen Show, especially after a 4/4 start in the blitz, but things got rocky, and after an initial surge by Hikaru Nakamura, it was local player Maxime Vachier-Lagrave who stormed the Blitz stage, and overtook the world champion. This forced a playoff to decide the title, and once more Magnus Carlsen showed what a pressure player he is, as he took the title. Large illustrated report with GM analysis.

FIDE World Team Championship: China and Russia lead

6/26/2017 – The final rounds are ending and the gold medals in both Open and Women’s sections seem all but decided, though mathematically things can happen. In the Women’s event, Russia is all but certain of gold after their co-leader rivals, Ukraine, lost to Georgia. In the Open section, China has all but wrapped up the gold, while Russia beat India after a scare when Vidit Gujarathi missed a study-like win against Peter Svidler. Report with analysis by GM Alex Lenderman.

Master Shifu of Indian chess: R.B. Ramesh (3/3)

6/26/2017 – The third and final part of Ramesh's interview with ChessBase India by Niklesh Jain. In this section coach R.B. Ramesh talks about how ChessBase India has made a positive impact in Indian chess, the most memorable and hilarious moments of his life, how fitness is important for chess players and the correct approach of how the children should be taught chess. Ramesh also talks about his hobbies, family and in the end he signs off by singing a wonderful Hindi song! 23 minutes of video and entire transcript.

Grand Chess Tour - Paris Express: Magnus Carlsen beats Vachier-Lagrave in playoff

6/25/2017 – It was a thrilling finish on day five, with everyone expecting it to come down to a race between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, but the chess gods had other plans. In an amazing last day surge, showing nothing was decided, French player Maxime Vachier-Lagrave surged, while both Carlsen and Nakamura faded, and ended tied with the World Champion in the overall standings. Once again Magnus Carlsen showed his pressure play chops and won the playoff and title. Express report.

FIDE World Team Championship: China beats Russia and takes lead

6/25/2017 – Round seven of the World Team Championship saw the match everyone had been waiting for: the clash between the top-rated teams China and Russia. Russia had been leading, with China behind, but a defeat to China inverted their positions. India defeated a struggling Ukraine, while the US scored their second win by beating Turkey and ending their Cinderella run. Illustrated report with GM analysis.

Grand Chess Tour - Paris: Hikaru Nakamura closes in on lead

6/25/2017 – Day four, the first of the blitz phase, looked like it would be a runaway express by Magnus Carlsen as he charged with 4/4, but a distraction leading to a loss on time broke his rhythm. Fabiano Caruana, who had played very badly in the Rapid games, made a remarkable comeback and was the second best of the day in blitz. However, the name of the day was Hikaru Nakamura, who scored 7/9 and narrowed the gap with the leader to just one point. Illustrated report by GM Alex Yermolinsky.

FIDE World Team Championship: Russia leads Open and Women

6/24/2017 – Russia won their match in both open and the women's section with a score of 3.0-1.0. In the open section they beat Poland and Russian women got the better of India. Russian men are the sole leaders while the women lead with Ukraine. The sixth round witnessed a lot of decisive matches. Turkey, however, refused to lose and drew their match with India. We have grandmaster analysis along with a small explanation of how photographic draw works in chess.

Grand Chess Tour - Paris: Magnus Carlsen wins Rapid phase

6/24/2017 – Though Magnus Calrsen did finish in clear first in the Rapid stage of the competition, Day Three saw his supremacy challenged with the rise of Alexander Grischuk, a past winner of the World Rapid and World Blitz titles, as well as Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Hikaru Nakamura tied just behind. With two days to go, and 18 rounds of blitz games worth half the total points, the title is all but decided yet. Large report with analysis by GM Alex Yermolinsky.