1.e4 – "Best by Test"? (Part 2)

1/9/2014 – After detailed database culling, data crunching, and number calculations, Matthew Wilson brings to conclusion his findings on which is ultimately better: 1.e4 or 1.d4. While the great Bobby Fischer was content to state his preference as "best by test", here charts and mathematics rule the day. However, you will find the answer to which opening move is truly the best.

Sam Collins – Tactical Toolbox

1/8/2014 – "IM Sam Collins is one of my favorite ChessBase lecturers," writes Glenn Mitchell. "This new DVD is different from previous Fritz Trainer DVDs. It’s even different from the new interactive Fritz Trainer DVDs. The focus here is exclusively on tactical problems. More than sixty of them!" In his review Mitchell gives the DVD an enthusiastic recommendation for intermediate to advanced players.

1.e4 – "Best by Test"? (Part 1)

1/8/2014 – While there is no question much of chess is a matter of choice, what if you could know with mathematical certainty which is stronger: 1.e4 or 1.d4? The late Bobby Fischer swore by 1.e4, claiming it was "best by test", but that was before the era of databases. In the following article, PhD student Matthew Wilson takes a close look to answer that very question.

First Maharashtra Open for Children

1/7/2014 – India is becoming a powerhouse in every aspect of chess. After the series of open tournaments that the country has been hosting, we take a look at how India is training its young players. Niklesh Jain brings us a report of the first Maharashtra Open tournament for U-15 children - including the technological innovations they are using to improve their play...

Hammer victorious at Rilton Cup

1/7/2014 – Played at the same time as the Hasting Chess Congress, the Rilton Cup, Sweden’s biggest and most famous international chess tournament, was held in Stockholm, Sweden, from December 27th, 2013 to January 5th, 2014 and after a strong duel between Nils Grandelius and Jon Hammer, the Norwegian won his second tournament in a month, with a powerful performance, and earning a solid gold medal.

Hastings Chess Congress ends in seven-way tie

1/6/2014 – The Hastings Chess Congress was held from December 28th, 2013, to January 5th, 2014, and marked the 89th edition of the venerable tournament. Though no longer world class event it once was, it has managed to survive where higher-profile events fell. Players from around the globe still flocked to the traditonal competition to add their names to the same roster as Capablanca and Botvinnik.

Rare Fischer game analyzed in depth

1/6/2014 – After reading listening to the BBC Radio program "Across the Board" with great pleasure, a certain curiosity came on the previous chess effort by the British broadcaster, now only available in the book, "Chess Treasury of the Air". Though full of fascinating essays, player profiles and more, the crown jewels are the consultation games. Here is Bobby Fischer analyzed by GM Alejandro Ramirez.

Wojtaszek makes it two at Basel

1/5/2014 – It seemed like a close affair in the final rounds of the Basel Chess festival, with three tied for first, and a slew of other grandmasters behind, but top-seed Radoslaw Wojtaszek would not be denied. After his strong win at Zurich a week before, he finished with two wins over his close rivals Robin van Kampen and Maxim Rodshtein to take clear first. Illustrated report.

The next Anand? Aravindh a special Indian talent

1/5/2014 – During the Chennai World Championship match there was a grandmaster open. It was sensationally won by Aravindh Chithambaram, a 14-year-old FM with a 2335 FIDE rating. Aravindh had a performance rating of 2728 and gained 80 Elo points from this one tournament. One of the brightest Indian chess talents hails from a very modest family background and urgently needs funding for his chess career.

BBC Radio interviews Hou and Sharansky

1/5/2014 – In the last episodes of the BBC Radio program “Across the Board”, Dominic Lawson interviews the only professional player in the series, Hou Yifan, as well as Natan Sharansky, a prominent Israeli politician, human rights activist and author. Nathan Sharansky was sent by the Soviets to a Siberian Gulag where he survived by playing endless games of chess in his mind. Life imitates fiction.

Basel Chess Festival launches 2014

1/4/2014 – Right after the Zurich Open that concluded the year 2013 comes the Basel Chess Festival, also in Switzerland, launching the new year in fine style. The event has grown each year and in the 230 players, are no fewer than seventeen grandmasters, many who came directly from Zurich. The top seed is Radoslaw Wojtaszek once more, but sharing the lead are Robin van Kampen and Ivan Popov.

Daniel King's Interactive Coaching Session

1/4/2014 – "Test Your Attacking Chess was the first time I experienced the new interactive training with video feedback feature of the Fritz Training DVDs," writes Chess Cafe reviewer Chris Wainscott. "I had no idea what a treat was in store for me." He found it a very dynamic tool that "comes as close to emulating a lesson from a GM as anything I have seen," – and gives it five out of six possible stars.

Wojtaszek is first at Zurich Open

1/3/2014 – The 37th Zurich Christmas Open took place on 26-30th December at the Crowne Plaza Zürich in Zurich, Switzerland. The seven-round Master Tournament, for players rated over 2000, drew 118 participants of which 50 were titled, including 23 grandmasters from around the world. Top seed Polish grandmaster Radoslaw Wojtaszek took clear first with 6.0/7 after a powerful last-round win.

January 2014 ratings – Nakamura now third

1/3/2014 – The sensational change at the top of the New Year's rating list is (ta-dum!) Hikaru Nakamura's climb to number three in the world. He is not only the highest rated American of all time, he is the second American to reach the top three since the FIDE ratings were installed. Incidentally did you know that only 0.0024% of the world population has a FIDE rating? Here's the latest list.

VG Interview with Magnus Carlsen

1/3/2014 – He comes across as intelligent, level headed, humorous. And quite candid. This latest half-hour interview with the new world chess champion, by VG-TV, is in Norwegian, but it is meticulously captioned in English, and even has one-click jumps to the different sections. So it is well worth while watching – we have prepared a full transcript with strategic screengrabs for you. Enjoy.

BBC Radio program “Across the Board” has started

1/3/2014 – As previously announced mid-December, the BBC Radio program “Across the Board” has started, featuring Dominic Lawson, the Sunday Times and Daily Mail columnist, and also club player, who interviews five personalities whom chess has touched in its own way. The first three episodes are up with interviews of John Healy, Rachel Reeves, and Lennox Lewis. Well worth listening too.

Chinese Chess League concludes

1/2/2014 – The Chinese Chess League has come to an end and the team from Nankai University of Tianjin province has come out ahead. The event is played, like the Bundesliga, throughout the year and it was an amazing 22 rounds of chess! Most of the top players from China participated and some strong foreigners, including Motylev, Ponomariov, Malakhov and others boosted the teams. Report from Tianjin.

Super Sasi wins in India

1/2/2014 – Krishan Sasikirian has ended victorious in the 14 player round robing that was the National Premier Championship. He was closely followed by a young and talented players, including Adhiban and Lalith. Sasikirian's play was simply too strong, however, and he clinched his spot in the Olympic team and in the 2015 World Cup. Extensive on-site coverage by Sagar Shah

Rafael Leitao wins sixth Brazilian title

1/2/2014 – In the last weeks of 2013, the 80th Brazilian Championship was held in the beautiful city of Joao Pessoa. The top-seed was GM Rafael Leitao, who was able to win his sixth title, ahead of Krikor Mekhitarian, and surprise third, FM Cesar 'Samurai' Umetsubo. Commenting the event, with personal impressions and select moments, is the champion himself. Here is Rafael Leitao's personal account.

A Happy New Year for all our readers

1/1/2014 – Yet another year has started, and as usual it was brought in with fireworks, some more spectacular than any in the past. There were general retrospects – at least one that had us proverbially ROTFL. And a lovely video look back at the year 2013 by Anna Burtasova. And finally you are able to send in solutions to our Christmas Chess Puzzles, with some interesting prizes to win.

Al Ain Open won by Abhijeet Gupta

12/31/2013 – In parallel to the World Youth Championship in Al Ain, U.A.E, two swiss opens were held. One for players rated 2000 FIDE or less, and one open to all. The top Open attracted dozens of grandmasters, the strongest being Georgian GM Baadur Jobava who was the only 2700 player. Jobava led until the end, when he fell ill and defaulted the last round. Abhijeet Gupta took first. Report and games.

ChessBase Chrismas Puzzles 2013

12/31/2013 – It's been a great year, with more chess than ever before – and more visitors than ever before flocking to our news site. We thank them for the wonderfully positive feedback we routinely receive, which makes our whole endeavour eminently worthwhile. As always we end the year with our traditional Christmas puzzles, and once again we have entrusted multiple world champion solver John Nunn with their selection. Now with all seven puzzles.

World Youth Championship: The champions

12/31/2013 – It was a grueling tournament, and hard fought by all, from chess’s youngest competitors, to those coming of age. A couple of players had secured their places on the topmost step of their pantheon, but for most it was all down to the last round, when the players decided their fates. Garry Kasparov showed up to inspire the children, and FIDE issued a statement on the Israeli flag issue.

Groningen Chess Festival

12/31/2013 – The Groningen Chess Festival has concluded. Attractions included several amateur tournaments, many scholastic events, simultaneous exhibitions and book signings. However the two obvious main events were the Open section and the rematch between Karpov and Timman, replaying the FIDE World Championship of 1993 in which the Russian convincingly won. See Karpov's repeat.