4/15/2025 – On 4 April, Iceland's first grandmaster Fridrik Olafsson passed away. Olafsson had celebrated his 90th birthday in January. After ending his career as a professional chess player, he became a lawyer and eventually became FIDE President. FIDE published Olafsson's last interview, in which he talks about computers, his chess career and his friendship with Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky, among other things.

4/15/2025 – After getting the lead in the match on Sunday, Magnus Carlsen did not allow Hikaru Nakamura to get realistic chances of a comeback in the final of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam leg in Paris, as he secured tournament victory with a draw. Fabiano Caruana defeated Vincent Keymer in their two-game match to grab third place. | Photo: Stev Bonhage

4/14/2025 – The Women's World Championship match is going very one-sidedly. Today, the defending champion Ju Wenjun won a fourth game in a row against challenger Tan Zhonqui, increasing her lead to 6-2. Ju Wenjun is now only half a point away from retaining the title, as match will most likely come to a premature end. | Pictured: Sabrina de San Vicente plays the first move of game eight. | Photo: Anna Shtourman

4/9/2025 – Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi are the winners of the rapid preliminary of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Paris. Thanks to a strong finish Vincent Keymer also made it into the knockout stage. As did Vachier-Lagrave, Erigaisi, Abdusattorov, Nakamura and Caruana. | Photos: Lennart Ootes/ Freestyle Chess

4/9/2025 – Organising top level chess tournaments is not easy. In a video interview on Take Take Take, Jan Henrich Buettner, the driving force behind the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, talks about the negotiations with Alireza Firouzja and how they failed.

4/8/2025 – Hans Niemann, who received a wild card for the 2025 Freestyle tournament in Paris after winning the Grenke Open in 2024, has cancelled his participation in Paris at very short notice - for personal reasons. In a video interview with chess.com, organiser Jan Henric Buettner talks about the circumstances of Niemann's withdrawal.

3/27/2025 – Arnold Schönberg's name is closely associated with the invention of twelve-tone music, but his creative power extended far beyond music. He painted and was an inventor. At the end of February, the Johanneum Eppendorf in Hamburg dedicated an afternoon to the great artist. Schönberg's invention of 'coalition chess' played an important role. | Photo: Anne Kropp/ Johanneum

3/19/2025 – The fourth day of the American Cup saw intense battles in the semifinals of the Champions Bracket. Hikaru Nakamura secured his spot in the final by defeating Leinier Dominguez in the second classical game, while Fabiano Caruana edged out Levon Aronian in a blitz playoff after two drawn classical games. In the women's event, Alice Lee advanced with a draw, while Tatev Abrahamyan won a playoff against Carissa Yip. The finals will feature Nakamura v. Caruana and Lee v. Abrahamyan. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

3/18/2025 – The living chess legend from Argentina, Oscar Panno, celebrated his 90th birthday on Monday. The Argentine ranks sixth on the list of the oldest living chess grandmasters. His international career began in 1953 when he won the U20 World Championship. A number of remarkable achievements followed in what turned out to be a memorable chess career.

3/17/2025 – The American Cup's brackets are taking shape after two days of classical games ended in draws, leading to decisive playoffs. Hikaru Nakamura, Leinier Dominguez, Levon Aronian and Fabiano Caruana advanced in the Champions Bracket, while their opponents moved to the Elimination Bracket. In the women's event, Alice Lee, Irina Krush, Carissa Yip and Tatev Abrahamyan (pictured) secured victories to progress. | Photo: Crystal Fuller

3/12/2025 – The 2025 European Championship kicks off on Saturday in Eforie-Nord, Romania. As well as a €100,000 prize fund, the players will have the chance to qualify for the World Cup - with the top 20 players qualifying for the World Cup.

3/12/2025 – The Serbian Chess Federation organised its 56th International Women's Tournament in Belgrade from 1 to 9 March, on the occasion of International Women's Day on 8 March. German WGM Josefine Heinemann won with 7.0/9 and finished a full point ahead of IM Bhakhti Kulkarni from India. | Photos: Tournament page

3/11/2025 – Magnus Carlsen representend his team Offerspill last weekend at the end of this year's Norwegian Elite Series and won all the three games he played. However, it was not enough to win the championship. Vålerenga (pictured) became Norwegian team champions ahead of OSS and Offerspill. | Photo: Kaido Kulaots via Facebook

3/8/2025 – Efim Geller was born on 8 March 1925, a hundred years ago today. Between 1950 and 1970, he was one of the best players in the world, even though he never managed to become world champion. Geller's record against the world champions is remarkable - mostly positive. | Photo: Hugo van Gelderen (Anefo)

3/7/2025 – Fabiano Caruana won the Champions Showdown 2025 in Saint Louis. On the last day of action, Caruana defended his lead in the three-game mini-match against Ray Robson with victories in blitz and the semi-classical game. Wesley So finished second, ahead of Levon Aronian. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

3/6/2025 – The Tata Steel tournament in Wijk has caused the biggest changes in the current world rankings. Among the winners is World Champion Gukesh, among the losers are Caruana, Erigaisi and also Keymer, who lost some points and places. In the country list, Germany is the best of the rest behind the four chess superpowers USA, India, China and Russia.

3/5/2025 – Nowadays, you have to be careful with your old clothes so as not to violate sustainability laws. The best thing to do is to give your old clothes to a relative or friend. Or you can sell them on the internet. That's what Magnus Carlsen did, and he is probably happy with the proceeds.

3/5/2025 – After five draws in the sixth round of the Masters tournament at the Prague Chess Festival, there were no changes in the standings. Aravindh Chithambaram and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu remain in the shared lead. Despite ending in a draw, the duel between Sam Shankland and Pragg featured an exciting tactical battle. | Photo: Petr Vrabec