Superfinals: Nepomniachtchi and Karjakin still tied on top

12/16/2020 – Ian Nepomniachtchi and Sergey Karjakin are still tied atop the standings after 10 rounds (of 11) at the open section of the Russian Superfinals. Nepomniachtchi defeated Andrey Esipenko while Karjakin got the better of Vladislav Artemiev. In the women’s tournament, Polina Shuvalova and Aleksandra Goryachkina surprisingly drew their direct encounter rather quickly. | Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

The Fritztrainer Christmas Calendar - Door 16

12/16/2020 – This year we are launching our "Christmas Fritztrainer Calendar". For the next 24 days, you can open one of our Fritztrainer doors daily, and guess: Which Fritztrainer is this? If you send us the correct answer by email, you are participating in a raffle to win plenty of prizes, including our big Christmas surprise packages!
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Autumn Series on Playchess # 8 - Play and win prizes

12/16/2020 – One year of top level chess and top level training materials: six issues (a one-year-subscription) of the ChessBase Magazine, that is the first prize in the 7th tournament of the Autumn Series on Playchess, a nine round Swiss blitz tournament that will start on Wednesday, December 16, 20.00 CET (19:00 UTC, 14:00 ET). As in all tournaments of the Autumn Series, the games will be played under real names.

Books, books, books

12/16/2020 – Countless chess books are published every year, some better than others. With the year coming to an end, we take a brief look into five noteworthy works that were put in circulation in 2020.

The Weekly Show: Celebrating Nezhmetdinov

12/15/2020 – In his “Weekly Show” IM Lawrence Trent celebrates one of the greatest attacking players of all time, Rashid Gibiatovich Nezhmetdinov! | Lawrence's show is available at 18:00 UTC (19:00 CET, 14:00 ET) on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here. | Pictured: Rashid Nezhmetdinov (left) with his brother, Kavi Nadzhmi | Source: kazan.aif.ru, retrieved from Douglas Griffin’s webpage

The new Fritztrainer - Practical chess strategy: The Bishop

12/15/2020 – When it comes to strategy, one of the key things that chess professionals understand much better than amateur players is the role of the bishop. Why do two bishops (‘the bishop pair’) complement each other to such an extent that they are a major long-term force? How is being a long-range piece an essential trademark of the bishop? Why do strong players regularly tuck their bishop away on its initial square? Questions like these will be examined on this strategy video course.

One Night in Moscow!

12/15/2020 – The opening night of the Russian production of the musical CHESS took place in the Broadway Moscow Theatre in October. It is scheduled to become the first and only large-scale musical premiere in Russia this Fall, if and when the restrictions on presentation of theatrical productions have been lifted by the authorities. We have some videos from the premiere for you to watch. That is something you really should not miss.

Superfinals: Dubov beats Nepomniachtchi

12/15/2020 – Due to a loss against Daniil Dubov, Ian Nepomniachtchi gave up the sole lead in the open section of the Russian Superfinals — Sergey Karjakin, who drew Vladimir Fedoseev, caught up with ‘Nepo’ atop the standings. In the women’s tournament, Polina Shuvalova saved a draw and is still in the lead. | Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

The Fritztrainer Christmas Calendar - Door 15

12/15/2020 – This year we are launching our "Christmas Fritztrainer Calendar". For the next 24 days, you can open one of our Fritztrainer doors daily, and guess: Which Fritztrainer is this? If you send us the correct answer by email, you are participating in a raffle to win plenty of prizes, including our big Christmas surprise packages!
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Desperado

12/15/2020 – Stalemate draws the game, no matter whether one side has a huge material plus or not. Some chess players think that the stalemate rule is unjust and should be changed, but sometimes it leads to interesting tactical possibilities. How did Black save a draw in the diagram position?

Adults, children, cheating, and online chess

12/14/2020 – In the 1993 film “Searching for Bobby Fischer”, disruptive parents are locked out of the playing hall. After the lockout, their children play chess games following fair play guidelines. When children play online, however, maybe parents should be looking over their shoulders. National Master Jeff Ashton and WIM Alexey Root tell why.

Autism and Chess (2)

12/14/2020 – Our last article on this subject was well-received. A number of autism experts and groups have shown great interest in the experiences Simon has made with chess – which might be the ideal entry point for people with ASD to interact with others. In the second part Simon describes how playing in tournaments was a big step for him – how it helped him to make and enjoy new contacts. | Illustration by Bobby Lopez

The Fritztrainer Christmas Calendar - Door 14

12/14/2020 – This year we are launching our "Christmas Fritztrainer Calendar". For the next 24 days, you can open one of our Fritztrainer doors daily, and guess: Which Fritztrainer is this? If you send us the correct answer by email, you are participating in a raffle to win plenty of prizes, including our big Christmas surprise packages!

Superfinals: Karjakin bounces back

12/14/2020 – In Round 8 of the Russian Championship Sergey Karjakin immediately redeemed himself for his previous loss to Ian Nepomniachtchi with a win over Peter Svidler. As Nepomniachtchi had to settle for a draw against Vladimir Fedoseev, Karjakin is now only half a point behind the leader. In the women’s tournament, Polina Shuvalova, who continues to lead the field, suffered her first defeat. | Photos: Vladimir Barsky

Hikaru Nakamura wins Speed Chess Championship

12/13/2020 – The final of the Speed Chess Championship between Hikaru Nakamura and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave was played on Saturday, with Nakamura getting a clear 18½:12½ victory. A total of 31 blitz and bullet games were played with three different time controls. Nakamura’s superiority only came to light in the bullet-chess section. This surprised no one, as the American grandmaster is known for his astounding strength in 1-minute games. | Image: chess.com

Understanding before Moving 5: Locked up pieces

12/13/2020 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books about chess training and chess strategy. In the fifth part of his ChessBase show "Understanding before Moving" Herman takes a look at a game that might cheer you up when you doubt your chess abilities, and pieces that are locked up. | Photo: Hans Hoornstra

Superfinals: Nepomniachtchi beats Karjakin in key matchup

12/13/2020 – A big point for Nepomniachtchi. In Round 7 of the Russian Superfinal, Ian Nepomniachtchi won the top match against Sergey Karjakin in fine style. With 5½ points, the leader now has a full-point lead over Karjakin, who despite the defeat managed to hold on to second place for the time being. In the women’s competition, Polina Shuvalova did not win for the first time in Round 7, as she “only” managed a draw against Leya Garifullina. | Photos: Eteri Kublashvili

The Fritztrainer Christmas Calendar - Door 13

12/13/2020 – This year we are launching our "Christmas Fritztrainer Calendar". For the next 24 days, you can open one of our Fritztrainer doors daily, and guess: Which Fritztrainer is this? If you send us the correct answer by email, you are participating in a raffle to win plenty of prizes, including our big Christmas surprise packages!
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Vlastimil Hort publishes "My Chess Stories"

12/13/2020 – Vlastimil Hort is a charming and elegant story teller, and likes to share his memories of past and present masters. About a year ago he published a book with 64 of his chess stories in German, which now appears in English. Reason enough to reread what André Schulz wrote about Hort's book! | Photo: Alina l'Ami

Speed Chess Championship Live: Nakamura vs Vachier-Lagrave

12/12/2020 – After beating Magnus Carlsen, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave reached the final of the Chess.com Speed Chess Championship, when he will face blitz specialis Hikaru Nakamura. The match consists of 90 minutes of 5+1 blitz, 60 minutes of 3+1 blitz, and 30 minutes of 1+1 bullet chess, and starts at 18:00 CET, 9:00 Pacific Time. Follow the games live, with commentary. | Picture: Chess.com

ChessPlus - A great Christmas gift

12/12/2020 – What is a good gift for a passionate chess player? ChessBase has a huge variety of nice digital presents, which make even more sense in these weird times, no doubt! But there might be something else as an option - something physical. Chessplus has been on the market since a couple of years, but this time it is easier than ever to get a hold of it. | Photos: from Chessplus

Speed Chess: Vachier-Lagrave beats Carlsen, reaches final

12/12/2020 – Hikaru Nakamura qualified to the final of the Speed Chess Championship on Wednesday with a narrow victory over Wesley So. On Friday, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave became the other finalist. The Frenchman defeated none other than world champion Magnus Carlsen with a 13:11 score after playing 24 blitz and bullet games (which were played with three different time controls). The final will be played today (Saturday) at 18:00 CET, Noon ET. | Image: chess.com

The Fritztrainer Christmas Calendar - Door 12

12/12/2020 – This year we are launching our "Christmas Fritztrainer Calendar". For the next 24 days, you can open one of our Fritztrainer doors daily, and guess: Which Fritztrainer is this? If you send us the correct answer by email, you are participating in a raffle to win plenty of prizes, including our big Christmas surprise packages!
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Historical riddle: Botvinnik’s most subtle rook ending

12/12/2020 – Mikhail Botvinnik became world champion for the first time in 1948. After defending the title twice, he lost it to Vasily Smyslov in 1957. Botvinnik reclaimed the title with a clear victory in a rematch the very next year. In game 14, he played what he called “maybe his most subtle rook ending”. Endgame specialist Karsten Müller now wonders whether a few mistakes have not been discovered yet. You can help him solve the historical riddle! | Pictured: Botvinnik v Smyslov on April 19, 1957 | Photo: Fotograaf Onbekend / Anefo