8/2/2025 – Michael Kotyk, a young chess trainer from Hamburg, has taken a close look at David Navara’s new course. The Czech grandmaster, who has been among the world’s elite for many years, offers deep insights into how chess players can make their thinking processes more effective. Players often misjudge what needs to be calculated and what does not. Kotyk explains how David Navara approaches this subject.

8/2/2025 – After 52.Nf5 (diagram) Black has a way to win, but must protect his own king from damage. So proceed with caution!

8/2/2025 – Magnus Carlsen won the first-ever chess tournament held at the Esports World Cup, defeating Alireza Firouzja with two consecutive 3–1 set wins in the Grand Final. The Norwegian performed convincingly throughout the four-day event, displaying consistent control and clock management in every stage. Earlier on the final day, Hikaru Nakamura edged Arjun Erigaisi 3½–2½ to secure third place. The tournament featured a fast-paced, no-increment format. | Photos: Esports World Cup

8/1/2025 – In this episode, the focus is on typical errors made in Sicilian Dragon games, illustrated through instructive examples from recent tournaments. Chris covers common move-order mistakes, thematic tactics like the exchange sacrifice on c3, and a brilliant underdog win by a 2033-rated player over a 2369-rated opponent using precise Dragon play. The discussion also touches on repertoire-building advice, the importance of playing openings that suit your style, and an amusing anecdote about meeting the young "Vietnamese Dragon" prodigy at the Biel Chess Festival. | Photo: John Upham

8/1/2025 – In the latest episode of the Power Play Show, GM Daniel King examines the final of the Women's World Cup between Divya Deshmukh and Humpy Koneru. In the positions attached, the challenge is to find the best defensive moves. | Watch Power Play on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account. All the usual puzzles, games and instruction will be on offer.

8/1/2025 – While there were few changes in the absolute world rankings, there was a lot of movement in the women's rankings. Magnus Carlsen remains the world's best player. Hou Yifan lost many Elo points, but remains the top-ranked female player. Best junior is Praggnanandhaa, closely ahead of World Champion Gukesh, best female junior is the Winner of the Women's World Cup in Batumi, Divya Deshmukh.

7/30/2025 – The 2025 Esports World Cup chess tournament began on Tuesday in Riyadh, with four players advancing directly to the quarterfinals from the upper bracket of their respective groups. Magnus Carlsen, Alireza Firouzja, Arjun Erigaisi and Levon Aronian each won two matches to secure qualification. The remaining twelve players will now compete in the Losers Bracket, where only one from each group will progress to the knockout stage of the $1.5 million event. | Photos: Esports World Cup

7/29/2025 – In the Endgame Magic Show #305, Karsten Müller shows endgames from the Freestyle Tournament in Las Vegas.| You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

7/29/2025 – The winner of the 2025 Women's World Cup was decided in an exciting play-off between Humpy Koneru and Divya Deshmukh. Divya Deshmukh ultimately emerged victorious. Tin Zhangyi won the match for third place against Lei Tingjie. The awards ceremony took place on Monday evening in a festive atmosphere. | Photos: Anna Shtourman

7/29/2025 – The Biel Chess Festival is one of the most important traditional tournaments, with an unbroken history stretching back over 58 years. Vladimir Fedoseev won the Masters tournament, Nikolas Theodorou won the Challengers tournament, and Karthikeyan Murali won the Masters Open tournament. On the last day of the tournament, the winners of these and other tournaments were honoured. | Photos: Biel Chess Festival

7/29/2025 – The 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 brought together over 400 players from more than 40 countries for a 9-round Swiss tournament held in Aix-en-Provence, France. With a prize fund exceeding €30,000 and a strong Masters section featuring over 100 titled players, the event concluded with a rapid playoff between GM Iniyan Panneerselvam and GM Jan Malek. Iniyan emerged victorious after scoring 1½–½ in the tie-break. | Photos: Shahid Ahmed / ChessBase India

7/29/2025 – Tactics are important in all phases of the game, and it pays to remain tactically alert even in endgames, when only a few pieces and pawns remain. In the diagrammed position, it is White to move and win. What should White do?