7/28/2026 – The German broadcaster Deutsche Welle recently examined Russia's influence within the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Chess Federation was sanctioned, but through Russian FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich it maintained a foothold within the organisation. However, Russia's influence is now in decline.

10/4/2025 – Matthias Bluebaum is the man of the hour in international chess. With his second place at the Grand Swiss in Samarkand, the grandmaster from Lemgo has achieved something that no German has managed in around 35 years: to be a World Championship candidate. Following the European Team Championship, where Bluebaum will represent Germany, he will play at the World Cup, where Vincent Keymer still has a chance to jump on the World Championship bandwagon. Holger Hank spoke to Bluebaum for Deutsche Welle in what turned out to be an in-depth interview. | Photo: Michal Walusza / FIDE

1/17/2025 – Vincent Keymer had an eventful year. He rose to the top of the world rankings and helped Dommaraju Gukesh win the World Championship at the end of the year. For Deutsche Welle, Holger Hank spoke to the German number one about various aspects of top-level chess. Here's the second part of the two-part interview. | Photo: Tata Steel Chess