6/27/2025 – In this episode of The Underdog with Robert Ris, we witness 13-year-old IM Kagan Ahmad from Azerbaijan defeating world blitz legend Hikaru Nakamura in a dramatic 112-move battle during the World Blitz Team Championship. Despite Hikaru’s deep experience and early initiative in a quiet Anti-Sicilian, he blunders with 21.h4, falling into a tactical shot Nxe5, allowing Ahmad to seize material and survive. Ahmad defends tenaciously, even under extreme time pressure, finding key tactical resources like Qa2 and Qf6 with only seconds on the clock. The endgame sees Hikaru applying relentless pressure, but Ahmad methodically converts his advantage and finishes with a brilliant checkmate sequence—proving that even the greatest can be toppled, and that this young prodigy might soon be making waves in the global chess scene.

6/27/2025 – They are absolutely vital. Gukesh won the World Championship with one – or we could say Ding Liren lost his title because he misplayed it. So can you understand and play pawn endings proficiently? Take a look at this position: White has six legal moves, all with his king. But only one of them ensures the win. Which one? We have four instructive and entertaining positions that will test your skills. And hopefully leave you a better, more effective player.

6/27/2025 – European Championship 2025: Analyses by Bluebaum, F. Svane, Abasov, Alonso Rosell, Cheparinov, Grandelius, Lagarde, Navara, Ponomariov, Rodshtein, Sargissian, Suleymanli, Tari, Velten, Vogel, Volokitin, Wojtaszek and Yuffa – Raid in the Sveshnikov: Lars Schandorff shows that Black has to be extremely careful after 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 Nb8 9.Qf3!? – ‘Queen sacrifice with dividend’: Oliver Reeh's tactical tests with over 30 current games + four interactive videos – Kramnik at his best: Dorian Rogozenco reviews the ‘Modern Classic’ Kramnik-Ehlvest (Tal Memorial 1995), including the novelty in move 16 and the impressive play by the former world champion, and much more.

6/27/2025 – From 2 to 10 August, the focus in Dortmund will not be on football, but on chess. As part of the 52nd Dortmund Chess Days in the Alte Schmiede, the Sparkassen Chess Trophy will be held, featuring European champion Matthias Blübaum, among others, and an international women's tournament. | Photo: Dinara Wagner (left) and Elisabeth Pähtz (right)

6/27/2025 – In the new episode of his Game of the Week show, Merijn van Delft presents a real brilliancy: Richard Rapport's win against Praggnanandhaa at the UzChess Cup in Tashkent. Kasparov saw the game and was impressed. | Merijn's show is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.

6/27/2025 – Four top Uzbek players will face six international world-class opponents in the 2nd UzChess Masters. The top seed is world number three, Arjun Erigaisi. The players are competing for prizes, prestige, and points in the FIDE Circuit. Alongside the Masters, a Challengers event (featuring living legend Vasyl Ivanchuk), a Futures and an Open are taking place - modelled after the Tata Steel tournaments. | The live coverage of the final round starts at 8.00 CEST (2.00 ET, 11.30 IST).

6/27/2025 – Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu reignited his chances at the UzChess Cup by defeating Arjun Erigaisi in round eight, bouncing back from recent setbacks to move within one point of the lead. With sole leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov drawing his game, the stage is now set for a decisive final-round clash between Abdusattorov and Praggnanandhaa — if the Indian grandmaster wins with black, he will catch the Uzbek star at the top of the standings. Javokhir Sindarov and Arjun are the two other players with chances of winning the event. Friday's final round starts four hours earlier than usual, at 8.00 CEST. | Photo: sports.uz

6/26/2025 – From July 16 to 20, 16 of the world’s best chess players will compete in Freestyle Chess in Las Vegas. But before that, on July 13, Magnus Carlsen and his colleagues will face top athletes from a different discipline at the "Chesstival": players from the NBA who want to show the grandmasters how good they are at chess. | Photo: Basketball giant Victor Wembanyama with fans playing chess in New York. | Photo: Wembanyama's X account

6/26/2025 – In this entertaining and instructive video, WIM Svitlana Demchenko faced the "Bobby Fischer" engine from Fritz 20 in a dynamic training match. She played the Scotch Gambit and managed to gain a clear advantage through sharp tactical play, sacrificing material for initiative and space. Despite a midgame slip that dropped her evaluation and confidence, she regrouped and navigated a complex endgame with precision, ultimately securing the win. The game showcased both instructive mistakes and brilliant ideas, making it a realistic and valuable learning experience rather than a flawless engine battle.

6/26/2025 – This week's Summer Special can give your game a real boost. Use the Masterclass series to study the most instructive games, the tricks and techniques of the greatest players in chess history. Get the complete 18-volume bundle for only €199.00 (regularly €399.00). Or maybe you'd like to spice up your play with the Pirc, a solid yet combative opening? Then Fabien Libiszewski’s Master the Pirc might be just what you're looking for — this week only €34.90 (instead of €49.90).

6/26/2025 – Nodirbek Abdusattorov regained the sole lead at the UzChess Cup by defeating Parham Maghsoodloo in round seven, marking his fourth win with the white pieces. The only other decisive game saw Javokhir Sindarov beating Aravindh Chithambaram to join Arjun Erigaisi in shared second place. With two rounds remaining, Abdusattorov leads on 5/7, while Arjun - the only unbeaten player - and Sindarov trail by half a point. | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

6/25/2025 – He is one of the best-known commentators for international chess events. Maurice Ashley has covered high-profile events such as the Kasparov vs. Nigel Short World Championship (1993), Kasparov vs. Deep Blue matches (1996 and 1997), and Kasparov vs. X3D Fritz (2003). He has also commentated for the Grand Chess Tour, Sinquefield Cups, and US Chess Championships. Turns out he has other strengths. Read on to find out.