7/9/2025 – The Albin Counter Gambit is a provocative attempt to combat the Queen's Gambit: after 1.d4 d5 2.c4, Black sends the second centre pawn forward unprotected with 2...e5. After 3.dxe5, the idea behind the pawn sacrifice is to advance boldly with 3...d4, limiting White’s queen's knight and claiming space advantage in the centre. This is an ambitious move, but one that promises active play for Black. While analysing a highly topical variation, our author Luc Henris recently came across the astonishing piece sacrifice 10...Bc5 – which turned out to be ‘a completely new and incredible concept for Black’! He shares his discovery with you in the current ChessBase Magazine #226. Take a look at this week's free sample!

7/9/2025 – "Chess problems demand from the composer the same virtues that characterize all worthwhile art: originality, invention, conciseness, harmony, complexity and splendid insincerity," wrote Vladimir Nabokov. Problem expert Werner Keym illustrates this in a new book which he makes available, as an eBook, to everyone, free of charge. Here are some excerpts to give you a taste.

7/8/2025 – In today's competitive chess landscape, even legends would struggle to maintain spotless records. This reflective piece contrasts the rare losses of Capablanca with the regular defeats modern players face, particularly in rapid formats. From Nodirbek Abdusattorov's heartbreaking loss in Tashkent to Richard Rapport's brilliant comeback, the article explores the psychological toll of losing - and recovering - in elite chess. Personal memories and missed chances add an introspective touch to this insightful journey through triumph and defeat. | Pictured: A 16-year-old Jon Speelman | Photo: Hulton Archive

7/8/2025 – More than 25,000 people, including stars from the BBC’s chess show Chess Masters: The Endgame, are expected to descend on London’s Trafalgar Square on Sunday, July 13, for ChessFest 2025. Last year, the event drew 23,300 people. The UK’s biggest chess event, now in its fifth year, will draw chess enthusiasts from across the country, including many of the country’s top grandmasters, for a free day of fun suitable for every level of player.

7/8/2025 – In the diagram position White is a rook down, but he still has a way to draw the game. What should he do?

7/8/2025 – The second game of round one at the FIDE Women’s World Cup brought high tension as players fought to secure qualification or force tiebreaks. Many favourites, including Carissa Yip and Bella Khotenashvili, advanced with clean 2-0 wins, while others will return for rapid playoffs. Meanwhile, top seeds have started arriving ahead of their debut. Notable upsets included the early exits of IM Deysi Cori and IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen. | Photos: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

7/7/2025 – Robert Ris faces off against the legendary Mikhail Tal in Fritz 20's grandmaster-level mode. With playful banter and strategic reflections, he navigates a tense middlegame filled with attacking chances, tactical bluffs and surprising defences. Despite some miscalculations and a critical blunder that nearly costs him the game, Robert defends resiliently, showcasing both fighting spirit and self-deprecating humour. Finally, after a flurry of complications and a tense queen endgame, the game concludes in a threefold repetition - a well-earned draw against one of history's most fearsome attackers.

7/7/2025 – Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem has been crowned champion of the León Masters after defeating five-time world champion Vishy Anand by a 3-1 score in Sunday's final match. The tournament, which also featured Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro and local representative Jaime Santos, took place from 4 to 6 July and concluded with a closing ceremony honouring the memory of Zenón Franco and Manuel García Cob, prominent figures in chess who were associated with the León tournament.

7/7/2025 – Magnus Carlsen won the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia tournament after finishing first in both the blitz and overall standings. Despite a quieter second day of blitz, his combined performance was enough to secure the title ahead of Wesley So and Gukesh Dommaraju. Gukesh, who had led after the rapid section, struggled in the blitz phase but held on to third place overall. The tournament in Zagreb marked Carlsen's fourth win at the event. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

7/7/2025 – In the Endgame Magic Show #303, Karsten Müller shows a selection of endgames from the Uz Chess Cup. Guest tonight: Arne Kähler| You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

7/6/2025 – The FIDE Women's World Cup got underway at the Grand Bellagio Batumi Convention & Casino Hotel, where 86 players contested the first game of round one. While most favourites scored early wins, several matches remain finely balanced ahead of game two. A few surprises included resilient draws by lower-rated players against elite opposition. The day began with a ceremonial first move by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Georgian Federation President Akaki Iashvili. | Photos: Anna Shtourman, Andrei Anosov / FIDE

7/6/2025 – The third event of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour is the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia, the second of three speed chess events, which is taking place on July 2-6 in Zagreb. The event starts with 9 rounds of rapid action, followed by 18 rounds of blitz. Included in the field are four out of the five highest-rated players in the world: Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Gukesh Dommaraju. | Follow the games live with expert commentary starting at 15.00 CEST (9.00 ET, 18.30 IST)