1/17/2016 – In the key encounter Caruana held Carlsen to a 32-move draw with the black pieces after an unorthodox opening. Giri vs Ding was one move longer, also drawn. Hou fought So for 54 moves, but that game too ended in a draw. In the Challengers there were no less than five decisive games, with Batsiashvili remarkably beating van Foreest with black. Report, pictures, video.

1/17/2016 – No need to google: after the Australian Championship the 150-year celebrations of the Melborne Chess Club continue with the 2016 Australian Women's Masters, a ten-player WIM-norm round robin which lasts from January 14-22. After three rounds Gu Xiaobing is outright leader with 3.0/3, with Deimante Daulyte snapping at her heels with 2.5/3. Illustrated report from Melbourne.

1/16/2016 – The Brazilian Championship, held in the traditional Guanabara Chess Club, seemed set to establish a new record at its onset, or so the numbers appeared to dictate. The competition has instead been a two-man show, led by GM Krikor Mekhitarian and IM Evandro Barbosa right behind, and has not been short of entertainment. An illustrated report.

1/16/2016 – The first round of the Tata Steel Tournament 2016 in Wijk aan Zee saw interesting games and three wins in the Masters group: Wesley So outplayed Anish Giri, Ding Liren showed good opening knowledge, inspired ideas in the middlegame, and technical skills in the endgame to win against Michael Adams. Fabiano Caruana won a fine attacking game against Pavel Eljanov. The other four games were drawn. The players in the Challengers were less peaceful - they did not play a single draw.

1/16/2016 – The top players are there, in the Masters at Wijk. But it is worthwhile taking a look at the Challengers, where traditionally plenty of exciting chess battles take place. Of the 14 players in this group, five are from the host nation, while Russia and Azerbaijan have two players each, and USA, Germany, Georgia, India and China one player. Three women will be seen in action. Here's an overview.

1/15/2016 – The first New Zealand Chess Championship was played in 1879. The 123rd edition took place from 2nd to 10th January in Devonport, an idyllic town close to Auckland. After nine rounds English GM Gawain Jones emerged as sole winner with 7.5/9, half a point ahead of Ju Wenjun, Ma Qun, and Nigel Short. IM Deimante Daulyte sends a large pictorial report.

1/15/2016 – Tactics can seem deceptively simple, particularly when seeing an engine analysing grandmaster games. Strange, however, how difficult it is to find the right move and to calculate variations properly when playing yourself. It is easier if you solve tactical puzzles regularly. In the ChessBase Magazine and his tactics column Oliver Reeh helps you to do so.

1/15/2016 – It is called the "Wimbledon of Chess" and takes place in Wijk aan Zee, Holland. The Tata Steel event attracts the very best chess players in the world – this year the world numbers 1, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, etc. Magnus Carlsen, the defending champion, will be looking for his fifth title, equaling Anand’s record. We look at the 14 participants in both the Masters and Challengers section and give you a preview of what you can expect!

1/14/2016 – The main problem every chess amateur faces is to develop a tactical vision that will help you spot the combinations in any given position quickly and accurately. While talented youngsters are easily able to do that, adults spend years in a vain attempt to improve. The ChessBase Tactics Trainer now has a new function that will help you get better: the Tactics Fight. Statutory warning: the app is extremely addictive!

1/14/2016 – It would be precipitous to say that Leitão’s chances for a record eighth title are jeopardized, but it will most certainly be a small mountain to climb. After five rounds, Mekhitarian and Choma shared first with 4.0/5, but a dramatic win over Leitão, left Krikor in sole first with 5.0/6. The tournament has been a bloodbath with almost 80% wins. Report, photos, and games.

1/13/2016 – "Since retiring from chess [ten years ago] he has become a campaigner for human rights and democracy in Russia," CNN host Fareed Zakaria introduced Garry Kasparov on his weekly GPS show. Zakaria, who also writes a weekly column for The Washington Post, asks the 13th World Chess Champion why Russia is in a dangerous stage right now. Watch this explosive seven-minute segment.

1/13/2016 – The Al Ain Classic took place from 22nd to 31st December and was one of the strongest open tournaments of the year. The Chinese grandmaster Wang Hao finished clear first ahead of "Fire on board" chess legend Alexei Shirov. Prathamesh Mokal talked with Wang, Shirov, and the organiser of the tournament about chess, the Al Ain Classic and life in general.