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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.