10/13/2024 – Triveni Continental Kings defeated PBG Alaskan Knights in both matches of the Finals to defend their Tech Mahindra Global Chess League title. In the first match, Alireza Firouzja and Alexandra Kosteniuk scored the key wins for TCK. Nodirbek Abdusattorov was the sole victor for PBG AK. In the second match, the 'Icon' of PBG AK, Anish Giri, avenged his loss against Firouzja by playing fast, furious and accurate chess. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was the only other winner for the team. Wei Yi, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Valentina Gunina scored the crucial wins which allowed TCK to score a dominating victory. | Photos: Shahid Ahmed

10/12/2024 – Sports psychology knows that you play best when you play relaxed, but sports psychology also knows that ease does not come easily when you absolutely want to win. As May Li, the young heroine in Kyla Zhao's entertaining new book "May the Best Player Win" has to learn. "May the Best Player Win" has just been published, but has already received a number of enthusiastic reviews. In a wide-ranging interview with ChessBase, Kyla Zhao talked about her book, her interest in chess, her career, writing books, gender equality in chess and much more.

10/12/2024 – The opening rounds of the 2024 US Chess Championship and US Women’s Chess Championship kicked off at the World Chess Hall of Fame in Saint Louis. In the open, all six games ended in draws, with Hans Niemann coming closest to a win against reigning champion Fabiano Caruana. Meanwhile, the women's event saw three decisive games, with defending champion Carissa Yip, Bulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova (pictured), and 15-year-old Rose Atwell securing victories. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

10/12/2024 – The Global Chess League returns for its second edition, bringing top players from around the world to London from 3-12 October. The tournament features six teams, each made up of male and female stars, including Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand and Hou Yifan. The competition follows a double round-robin format, leading to a final showdown between the top two teams. | Follow the action live starting at 15.30 CEST (9.30 ET, 19.00 IST)

10/12/2024 – In 1875 Walter Grimshaw, a composer of chess problems who was not far off master strength as a player, played at least one casual game against Steinitz at Simpson’s Divan, and supposedly won in 17 moves. But was this “summary demolishment” actually played? Steinitz called the game, which was published in the International Chess Magazine, "a deliberately bogus manufactured forgery." You can read about Grimshaw and this controversial encounter courtesy of Neil Hickman in CHESS Magazine, October 2024.

10/12/2024 – Playing 26.Nc2? in the diagram position, White underestimated the potential of the black monster knight d3. Take a dive into the lines!

10/9/2024 – Hikaru Nakamura ended Alireza Firouzja's unbeaten streak at the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2024. Just when everyone thought the game would end in a draw, Firouzja offered his rook up for trade, and the resultant pawn endgame turned out to be completely winning for the Speed King. IM Bibisara Assaubayeva. The PBG Alaskan Knights are now one match win away from securing their spot in the Finals. The seventh day will start with PBG Alaskan Knights vs. upGrad Mumba Masters from 1 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. | Photos: Shahid Ahmed

10/8/2024 – Every chess piece has a favourite region of the board. Knights like to be in the centre, kings rely on the safety of the corners. However, no piece loves a specific diagonal, file or rank as much as rooks do. Rooks love the 7th rank. On this rank, they feel like a kid in a candy shop. There are so many pawns to consume! Also, sometimes the opponent’s pieces are vulnerable as well. But why is the seventh rank so attractive for rooks? Jan Markos has some answers and examples! | Diagram: Final position of the game Vidit Gujrathi vs Wei Yi, Global Chess League 2024

10/8/2024 – Rapid games are noted for the fast-paced action and drama and mistakes, a fine line between quality and plain adrenaline. When played by world elite players such as MVL, Erigaisi, Nepo, and more, you can also run into astounding tactics and attacks that even the computers cannot criticize. Such was the case for two by the Frenchman no less. Now with video! (credit: Albert Silver/Flux Pro 1.1)

10/8/2024 – In the diagram position it is Black to move and he fights for survival as White's far advanced e-pawn is very dangerous. However, Black has a way to draw. What would you do?

10/8/2024 – The reigning champions of the Bundesliga, Viernheim, made a false start to the new season and lost to the host team in Hamburg. The defending champions were missing the top six boards due to the Global Chess League taking place concurrently. Baden-Baden also played without its top players in Munich. | Pictured: The cheerful Hamburger SK team with captain Reinhardt Ahrens | Photos: André Schulz

10/7/2024 – Alireza Firouzja is in the form of his life, as he defeated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave for the second time in consecutive days. Alexandra Kosteniuk scored the only other win for the team, which helped Triveni Continental Kings register their fourth win of the event. Anish Giri made a nice queen sacrifice to build a fortress and draw with Magnus Carlsen. Yifan Hou and Kateryna Lagno scored the wins for SG Alpine Pipers. Nihal Sarin's sole win for Balan Alaskan Knights was not enough to win the match. Ganges Grandmasters scored their second match win of the event. The sixth day will start with Alpine SG Pipers vs upGrad Mumba Masters from 1 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. | Photos: Shahid Ahmed