2/15/2024 – In his new Game of the Week show, Merijn van Delft shows an interesting game from the German Bundesliga, in which White showed ways to overcome the Berlin wall. | Merijn’s show is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.

2/15/2024 – A strong outlook of nonchalance is associated with the term "modern" in chess. It typically insinuates that a player is not grossly concerned with conventional strategies, especially having to control the center immediately. This article highlights Modern Defense, its core ideas, key variations, and how to play against it.

2/14/2024 – Fabiano Caruana and Magnus Carlsen, the two highest-rated players in the world, will play the final match at the Freestyle G.O.A.T. Chess Challenge. While Carlsen defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov by a 1½-½ score, Caruana’s match against Levon Aronian went all the way to Armageddon. Caruana twice blundered in winning positions in what was a thrilling confrontation. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase

2/14/2024 – On the occasion of the 100th anniversary since its founding, FIDE is set to launch the Chess Torch Relay, a global movement aimed at celebrating the rich history of the game and bringing together the entire chess community. As part of the FIDE 100 celebration, the torch relay will commence on February 14 in New Delhi, India, at the Major Dhyan National Stadium.

2/14/2024 – Development and piece activation are well-known assets that every decent player seeks during his game. So, centralisation is the key-word which comes to our thoughts when we are talking on the above subjects. But there are cases where the de-centralisation can be the alternative option! Well, of course we talk about ‘healthy’ ideas, which can help us to improve an inferior or better position, depending on the circumstances. Our internationally famous trainer explains.

2/14/2024 – Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Fabiano Caruana respectively to get ahead on the scoreboard in the semi-finals of the Freestyle G.O.A.T. Challenge. Meanwhile, in the consolation bracket, Alireza Firouzja and Vincent Keymer got the better of Ding Liren and Gukesh D. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

2/13/2024 – Month by month, we learn how to master, and tame the powerful Dragon, with Dragon expert Chris Ward. But do you know what's really annoying? When nobody wants to accept the Dragon against you! Chris heard all of your cries for help, and made a special episode of the basics, ideas, plans, traps, and more for plenty of Anti-Sicilians, and other openings, which try to dodge our beloved Sicilian Dragon. A "Must Watch" episode for everyone, who experienced something similar. (And we know, you have ...) | Photo: John Upham

2/13/2024 – In about two weeks, on 26 February 2024, the sixth Prague International Chess Festival (PICF) will begin. This year the four best juniors in the world - Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, Abdusattorov and Keymer - will be in Prague to complete the strong field of Vidit, Rapport, Maghsoodloo, Navara, Bartel and Nguyen. But as tournament director Petr Boleslav explains in an interview, this is just one reason to combine a visit to one of Europe's most beautiful cities with chess. | Picture: Festival logo 2024

2/13/2024 – In endgames, knights are often surprisingly helpless against a rook. In the diagram position, White is an exchange down, but seems to be close to a draw because only two black pawns remain on the board. However, Black has a way to win - what should he do?

2/13/2024 – In January, Leon Mendonca won the prestigious Tata Steel Challengers tournament, and now he has analysed the 13 games he played in the tournament! In a video of more than 150 minutes (maybe a better choice than a Netflix movie tonight?), Leon shares his thoughts and insights, in the opening, the middlegame and the endgame. Instructive, entertaining, and a must for any chess fan!

2/12/2024 – Magnus Carlsen is set to face Nodirbek Abusattorov in the semi-finals of the Freestyle G.O.A.T. Challenge after beating Alireza Firouzja in rapid tiebreaks. Abdusattorov drew Ding Liren to get a 1½-½ victory in their mini-match. In the other pairing of the semi-finals, Levon Aronian will play Fabiano Caruana. Aronian defeated Vincent Keymer in the second encounter of their match, while Caruana obtained the half point he needed to beat Gukesh D in their 2-game confrontation. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

2/12/2024 – In the Endgame Magic Show #261 Karsten Müller continues to take a look at endgame highlights from the tournament in Wijk aan Zee. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.