10/1/2025 – After the classical portion of the Grand Chess Tour Finals had concluded with all games drawn, the semifinals were left to be decided in rapid and blitz play. With six games to follow - two rapid encounters worth four points each, and four blitz games worth two points each - the margins for error became smaller and the intensity greater. The two matches followed different paths: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu with a convincing score, while Fabiano Caruana overcame Levon Aronian only in the final stages. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

10/1/2025 – After the first weekend of the 2025/26 Chess Bundesliga, three clubs share the lead on maximum points. Promoted Schachfreunde Wolfhagen joined established contenders SC Viernheim and OSG Baden-Baden at the top, each securing two victories. Defending champions Düsseldorfer SK dropped ground after being held to a draw by Bayern München in round two, while Deizisau were twice held to 4–4. The season is set to resume in December. | Photo: Reinhard Ahrens / Hamburger SK

9/30/2025 – In the boxing ring, he learned what it means to pick yourself up again and again and draw new strength from setbacks. On 7 October, former world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko will tell us about his life, the current situation in Ukraine and resilience in times of crisis. Vladimir is an old friend who visited ChessBase a number of times, together with his brother Vitaly. We look forward to seeing him again.

9/30/2025 – Hikaru Nakamura, currently ranked second in the world, gained nine Elo points in the FIDE world rankings over the last two months by scoring 11 points from 11 games in weaker tournaments; his strongest opponent had an Elo rating of 2250. Each win earned him 0.8 Elo points. However, following a rule change by FIDE, such Elo gains will no longer be possible from 1 October. Previously, when calculating Elo ratings for players with 2650+ points, a maximum difference of 400 points from the opponent's rating was assumed. For example, for a player with 2750 points, all opponents, regardless of their actual strength, were assumed to have a minimum rating of 2350. According to the new rule, the actual Elo rating difference now counts.

9/30/2025 – This is the main guideline in the endgame rook and knight against rook and knight. In the diagram position White has the initiative - how can he use it to win?

9/30/2025 – The second classical games of the Grand Chess Tour Finals in São Paulo ended quickly, with both semifinals producing draws in under two hours. Levon Aronian and Fabiano Caruana exchanged pieces early after Caruana's 2...g6, while Maxime Vachier-Lagrave failed to challenge Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in a short Caro-Kann encounter. With all four players now on six points, the focus shifts to rapid and blitz. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

9/29/2025 – Two weeks ago we saw how 14-year old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus from Turkey stole the show in the first part of the Grand Swiss. This week it is 11-year old Faustino Oro from Argentina who scored his first GM norm with two (!) rounds to go, while passing the 2500 mark in the progress. He now has five months to break the world record for youngest grandmaster ever. While most of his games were tough fights, our Game of the Week is Oro's flashy win from the fourth round against Diego Macias Pino. | Merijn's show is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.

9/29/2025 – Hatsun Chess Academy is one of the fastest-growing chess academies in India. It's supported by Hatsun Agro Products Ltd. and envisioned by GM Vishnu Prasanna, the former coach of World Champion D Gukesh. It's known for its holistic approach that combines chess, fitness, and mental conditioning. The academy has already become home to many rising talents. With its rapid growth, Hatsun Chess Academy is now looking to expand its coaching team. If you are an International Master with a passion for coaching, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Read on to know how to apply.

9/29/2025 – Christian and Karsten show 3 recent endgames from the FIDE Grand Swiss | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

9/29/2025 – The Grand Chess Tour Finals opened in São Paulo with the first classical games of the semifinals, both ending in draws after moments of tension. Fabiano Caruana introduced a rare line in the French Defence against Levon Aronian but failed to maintain his advantage. Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu missed a winning continuation in time trouble, allowing Maxime Vachier-Lagrave to simplify into a tricky pawn-up endgame, which he failed to convert into a victory. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

9/28/2025 – The Chess Bundesliga kicks off this weekend with the new season. The venues are Deggendorf, Deizisau, Wolfhagen and Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied. Reigning champions, Düsseldorfer SK - without their top players following the withdrawal of their sponsor - together with their travel partner Solingen, face an initial test against Deggendorf and Bayern Munich. | Follow the action live starting at 14.00 CEST (8.00 ET, 17.30 IST)

9/28/2025 – Garry Kasparov is one of the most influential figures of recent decades - not only as a World Champion, but also as a ChessBase author. One of his classic video courses has been reissued. In addition, the new ChessBase Magazine is here, and there is brand new opening knowledge - so the August releases from ChessBase once again leave nothing to be desired! Just take a look at all of last month's products: | All Photos: ChessBase