1/7/2025 – With his new video course "Modern Classics" Dorian Rogozenco, former German national coach and renowned chess theoretician, takes us on a journey through the fascinating world of chess games that have made history. | Photos: Nils Rohde

1/7/2025 – The famous classic Thomas-Alekhine is a strategical masterpiece. It has served as a lesson on how to play against weak white pawns on c3 and d4. Ever since Nimzowitsch has dealt with it in his famous work "My System" it has been popular with trainers and students alike. But did White really use all defensive options? This has not been debated enough in the past. Can you do this important job?

1/7/2025 – In the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, chess is transforming lives through the Girls Club "Chess for Protection" initiative, launched by FIDE and UNHCR in 2021. Targeting young refugee girls, the programme combines chess lessons with life skills, fostering confidence, mental well-being, and hope in a safe environment. With over 250 participants annually across three schools, the initiative empowers these girls through training with world-class educators, a book club and workshops led by inspiring figures.

1/7/2025 – If two rooks fight against a queen, coordination and harmony are crucial. In the diagram position the rooks have to fight against the queen and two passed pawns. But Black can draw the game. How?

1/6/2025 – Egyptian GM Bassem Amin emerged victorious in the 52nd Rilton Cup, held from 27 December to 5 January in Stockholm, Sweden. The prestigious tournament, established in 1971 thanks to the visionary support of Dr Tore Rilton, attracted 115 players from 35 countries this year. Despite an early upset loss, Amin showcased his resilience by winning six consecutive games and secured the title with 7½ points. | Photo: Lars OA Hedlund

1/6/2025 – Merijn van Delft starts the year with a provocation. In his first Game of the Week show of 2025, he presents a rapid game, in which White played 1.a4 against Hikaru Nakamura, the current world number 3. Despite his dubious opening, White won the game - in which his a-pawn made a remarkable career. | Merijn's show is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.

1/2/2025 – Just in time for the start of the new year, FIDE has published the new world rankings. With an Elo rating of 2831, Magnus Carlsen remains the clear number one, followed in second, third and fourth place by Fabiano Caruana (2803), Hikaru Nakamura (2802) and Arjun Erigaisi (2801). Gukesh Dommaraju, the new classical world champion, follows in fifth place with 2777 points, but is the highest-rated junior (under 20) in the world.

1/2/2025 – Magnus Carlsen is set to marry Ella Victoria Malone this weekend, just days after securing his eighth World Blitz Championship title. The couple, who confirmed the news to Verdens Gang (VG), plan to keep the ceremony private. Malone, who has an American father and a Norwegian mother, grew up in Oslo and now lives with Carlsen, as she has taken on an increasingly vital role in his support team. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

1/1/2025 – The chess world is awash with resources for players looking to up their game, from countless articles and books to videos. Although relatively scarcer, a wealth of instructional material also exists for those interested in chess solving. But few have ventured to teach how to compose a chess study or a problem - no definitive course or authoritative guide for this aspect of chess. Yet, like playing and solving, composing, too, is a teachable skill — or at least that is what Gady Costeff, the writer of the present article, believes. To put his notion to the test, he demonstrates how to craft an endgame study by starting with an attractive mate position and then working backwards, guided by a series of straightforward questions.

1/1/2025 – The second day of the World Blitz Chess Championships, held in New York, provided thrilling action as the knockout stages decided the champions in both the open and women's sections. Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi decided to share the open title after an epic 7-game final, marking Carlsen's eighth blitz crown and Nepo's first. Meanwhile, Ju Wenjun claimed her maiden women's blitz title with an overtime victory against Lei Tingjie. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

12/31/2024 – Victor Wembanyama, the 20-year-old basketball sensation and unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year, recently turned heads off the court during a visit to New York City. Known as "Wemby", the San Antonio Spurs star revealed his passion for chess, taking to Washington Square Park to play in its famous open-air chess scene. Amid chilly weather and enthusiastic fans, Wemby's appearance captured widespread attention. | Photo: Wemby's X account

12/31/2024 – The duel knight against bishop is often difficult and complicated but in general bishops prefer dynamic positions while knights like static positions. In the diagram position Black is better, but White can hold. How?