Baku Final: Svidler versus Karjakin!

10/1/2015 – It’s an all-Russian finale in Baku which promises to be extremely well matched. In this article we try to dissect the two finalists with regards to their previous encounters, style of play and opening choices. An extra US $40,000 and the Word Cup title are at stake. We bring you analysis, predictions and, as an extra, a video of Peter Svidler trying out his second favourite sport!

The Austrian Attack in 60 minutes

9/30/2015 – Among the many variations that White can employ against the Pirc Defense, the sharpest and no-compromise line is the so-called Austrian Attack. This swift pawn push for central domination, sometimes transitioning into an all-out attack, is one of White’s most fearsome weapons. In just 60 minutes, IM Valeri Lilov gives a quick theoretical lecture.

Ken Rogoff: economist and chess player

9/30/2015 – If you own a television set and watch news you will know him: Prof Kenneth Rogoff, who is interviewed on a weekly basis by the biggest news outlets in the world – CNN, CNBC, New York Times, Bloomberg – regarding world economics. But did you know that this famous economist started off as a chess player – and a highly successful one at that? Mini-series on Rogoff and chess.

Karjakin vs Eljanov: Daniel King analyses

9/30/2015 – A lot of tension and turnarounds, cool chess and a surprising end - the tiebreak between Sergey Karjakin and Pavel Eljanov offered a lot of excitement. After all, a lot of prestige and money were at stake. The winner would advance to the World Cup final and qualify for the Candidates Tournament 2016. Daniel King looks at dramatic moments of an intense fight.

Baku 6.TB: All Russian Final

9/29/2015 – It could not have been more exciting, or more unpredictable. Karjakin advances to the finals, but by the skin of his teeth. He lost his first game but came back with excellent positional play in round four. Eljanov had him against the ropes in game five, but blundered massively and lost. Again, Eljanov was winning, but missed... a three fold repetition! Karjakin is a finalist and in the Candidates.

Alina l'Ami in Mexico (2/2)

9/29/2015 – Alina l'Ami was travelling in Mexico and enjoyed the country. She also enjoyed the Copa de Independencia tournament. It was convincingly won by Peruvian Grandmaster Emilio Cordova who scored 6.0/7 and was half a point ahead of seven players with 5.5/7 each. Cordova particularly impressed with dynamic play and original pawn moves. Report, pictures, analyses.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov meets with Pelé

9/28/2015 – It was already a bit of a shock when it was announced that the FIDE Board members had suggested Kirsan Ilyumzhinov run for the FIFA presidency, and numerous readers thought this was either an incredibly late or incredibly early April Fool's prank. Not so, and reinforcing the seriousness, the FIDE president met with football legend Pelé in London whom he interviewed on video.

Baku Semis G2: Svidler in!

9/28/2015 – Giri is a player that is very solid, and he rarely loses. However he was unable to show that he is also a super player in a must-win situation. Svidler gave him no chances, and as an expert pointed out, Giri was unable to "heat up water enough to even make tea". Svidler is in the finals and the candidates. Meanwhile in the other bracket, after a fourteen move draw they go to tiebreaks.

Baku Semis G1: Experience over youth

9/27/2015 – Fans who worried that only two games left would mean a more cautious, sedate day at the World Cup saw their concerns quickly dispelled. Svidler was the first to end his game with a resounding victory over Giri with black, while Eljanov will be kicking himself for not sharing in the joy after obtaining a winning position in the opening. Report with analysis by Daniel King and Sagar Shah.

World Cup tactics

9/27/2015 – Starting with 128 players and hundreds of games, there has been a lot of great fighting chess with spectacular wins, catastrophic finishes, and naturally missed chances. Here is a preliminary selection of moments from the games, some easy, some hard, moves to find, avoid, and save. Can you do as well as these elite players? How many you can solve?

World Cup: Predictions for the semifinals

9/27/2015 – Only four players remain in the World Cup 2015: Anish Giri plays against Peter Svidler and Sergey Karjakin against Pavel Eljanov. In this article we talk about the route taken by these four players to the semi-finals, the statistics of their games, their best and their most lucky moments – and predict who will enter the finals.

Alina l'Ami in Mexico

9/26/2015 – Playing chess in Mexico? Isn't that a bit dangerous? After all, the media are full of bad news about the war on durgs in Mexico. But Alina l'Amis passion for travelling and chess was greater than fear and despite all media reports she decided to play in the Copa Independencia in Mexico City. She saw a country full of wonders and surprises. Pictorial report.

Tiebreak in Baku: Daniel King analyses

9/26/2015 – Two tiebreaks had to decide who will advance to the semifinals of the World Cup in Baku: Peter Svidler vs Wei Yi and Sergey Karjakin vs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Both rapid matches ended in a draw and both matches were decided in blitz. In two videos English Grandmaster Daniel King looks at the highlights and the most dramatic points.

Baku 5.TB: Russians advance

9/25/2015 – Russia went 2/2 today as both Peter Svidler and Sergey Karjakin pass to the semi finals. Svidler certainly outplayed Wei Yi in most games, but comically in the game that he did win and was decisive he stood worse for more than half of it! Karjakin struck first in the quick rapid time control, and Mamedyarov was simply unable to recover. Tomorrow is the first rest day.

London Chess Classic: Tickets are available

9/25/2015 – The 7th London Chess Classic (4. to 13. December) is the third and final leg of the Grand Chess Tour. After finishing eighth in the Norway Chess Tournament and second in the Sinquefield Cup Magnus Carlsen still has a chance to win the Grand Chess Tour if he wins this tournament. Tickets for this great chess event are available now. Press release.

Daniel King analyses

9/25/2015 – In his video analysis of the highlights of round 5.2 in Baku GM Daniel King had four games to choose from. The quick draw between Karjakin and Mamedyarov did not offer much excitement and neither did the draw between Wei Yi and Svidler. Thus King had a short look at Eljanov's draw against Nakamura and a longer one at Giri's win against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

Threat or no threat?

9/25/2015 – 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.

Baku 5.2: Eljanov, Giri advance

9/25/2015 – It's the end of the road for the last 2800 remaining in the tournament: Nakamura was simply unable to create any real chances to win against Eljanov today and he gracefully exited the tournament. The Ukrainian, now number 14 in live-rankings, is one of two people already in the semis. The other is Giri, who managed to outplay MVL in a long endgame.

Daniel King analyses Eljanov's win over Nakamura

9/24/2015 – Pavel Eljanov's win against Hikaru Nakamura was the only decisive game of the first round of the quarterfinals in Baku. Now Eljanov needs only a draw in his second game with Nakamura to advance to the semifinals. With 8.0/9 from his classical games in Baku Eljanov is also close to a historical record. Daniel King takes a look at this crucial game.

Welcome to Qatar Masters Open 2015

9/24/2015 – When top players like Anish Giri, Vladimir Kramnik, Wesley So, Sergey Karjakin and other 2700+ giants play in a tournament, the best we can do is watch them in action. If on the other hand you have always wished to play in the same event and cross swords with them, then Qatar Masters Open 2015 is your big chance. It is world’s strongest Open with a total prize sum of $130,000!

The world's smallest chess engines

9/23/2015 – In the world of chess computing, the actual records that are sought after usually deal with the chess engine 'arms race' for the highest Elo. After all, it is the easiest thing to measure. However, until recently there was another record that had stood the test of time for decades: the world's smallest chess engine. The new champions are as small as three Twitter messages.

Baku 5.1: Eljanov!

9/23/2015 – The man seems to be unstoppable. After winning his first six classical games and cruising through the first three rounds, he managed to eliminate Jakovenko in in the tie-breaks. And now Eljanov is going for even further glory: he was involved in the only decisive game of the day as he took down World #2 Nakamura. Eljanov is half a point away from the semi-finals.

Simon Williams: The English Opening Vol. 1

9/23/2015 – Simon Williams knows the English Opening - and loves it. After all it helped him to get his titles. He likes that you do not have to know much theory to play the opening and that White often can claim a space advantage. In his two DVDs about the English Williams now offers White a good, solid repertoire. Davide Nastasio looked at the first volume and was happy.

Baku Rd4 TB: Pure adrenaline

9/22/2015 – The title really says it all. Karjakin and Andreikin saved the excitement for the tiebreaks, and ended in Karjakin's favor. Anish Giri had little trouble stamping his authority on Wojtaszek, while Eljanov continued his great form and beat Jakovenko cleanly. The most exciting match by far was Wei Yi against Ding Liren with wild complications and playing with only one second on the clock!