7/24/2020 – Magnus Carlsen and Peter Svidler have won all three matches they have played so far in the ‘Legends of Chess’ tournament without ever going to tiebreaks. On Thursday, Carlsen was repeatedly in trouble against Peter Leko but managed to win nonetheless, while Svidler defeated former co-leader Boris Gelfand. In the clash of former world champions, Vladimir Kramnik beat Vishy Anand after winning a memorable first game with black. Ian Nepomniachtchi and Vasyl Ivanchuk also obtained victories. | Photo: Crystal Fuller

7/24/2020 – With his forces fully mobilised, White shatters any faint hope that Black had to survive with his exposed king. Go for it!

7/23/2020 – At the Candidates Tournament 1962 in Curacao, Mikhail Tal (pictured) lost a tricky rook endgame against the eventual tournament winner and World Champion to be Tigran Petrosian. But did Tal lose only after one or more mistakes? Endgame specialist Karsten Müller asked for the readers’ help and came to a conclusion: Tal could have held the draw!

7/23/2020 – The youngest participant of the GM tournament in Biel, Vincent Keymer, went into the third round as the standings leader, but met his match in world-class grandmaster Michael Adams. The remaining games ended in a draw. Sebastian Siebrecht reported and spoke with tournament director Paul Kohler. | Photos: Simon Bohnenblust

7/23/2020 – In the second round of the Legends of Chess online tournament, Ian Nepomniachtchi beat an out-of-form Ding Liren 2½:½ after getting a stunning win in game 1; current world champion Magnus Carlsen defeated former world champion Vishy Anand; Boris Gelfand got the better of Vasyl Ivanchuk; Peter Svidler beat Peter Leko in a closely-contested encounter; and Anish Giri took down Vladimir Kramnik. None of the matches went to Armageddon. | Photo: Niki Riga

7/23/2020 – Are you tired of playing d5 against 1.d4 or c4? Grandmaster Simon Williams, one of the most creative GMs in the chess world, has tackled the flamboyant Budapest Gambit. Williams' typically fun and entertaining way of teaching is paired with serious theory, as he is always very well-prepared to show extraordinary variations. The English Grandmaster honestly reflects on how this opening can backfire, and goes over several traps that can be triggered against White.

7/23/2020 – At her peak rating in 2005, Grandmaster Judit Polgár was ranked number 8 in the world. Although she retired from competing in August of 2014, Judit promotes chess through her Global Chess Festival and serves as Honorary FIDE Vice-President. To show appreciation for Judit on her 44th birthday, this article has a recipe for a dessert, which could serve as her birthday cake. WIM Alexey Root and her co-author WGM Sabina Foisor are former U.S. Women’s Chess Champions. | Pictured: Judit showing Shirov-Polgár (1994) to her children Oliver and Hannah | Photo: Bela Doka, 2012

7/22/2020 – In his “Game of the Week” show Merijn van Delft looks at a brilliant win by Vasyl Ivanchuk. In a must-win situation, the Ukrainian genius defeated Peter Leko with the seldom seen King’s Gambit! | Merijn’s show is freely available at 15.00 UTC (17:00 CEST, 11:00 EDT) for a limited time, and on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here. | Photo: sunwaychessfestival.com

7/22/2020 – Vincent Keymer shows his enthusiasm and hunger for success at the Biel Chess Festival. He ended yesterday’s opening round with a victory over the Spaniard David Anton. Arkadij Naiditsch also won his game. Sebastian Siebrecht reports. | Photos: Simon Bohnenblust

7/22/2020 – The Catalan is a tough nut to crack. Lars Schandoff's article on the opening, included in ChessBase Magazine #196, challenges the solid setup with a fine solution — activity! Deviating from the practice of elite Grandmasters, he suggests a "more entertaining variation" with 5...a6 and the risky 6...Nc6!? Exciting and recommended to everyone who is not satisfied with playing for a draw when having the black pieces!

7/22/2020 – That's what the chess club in Marburg, Germany, intended when they submitted a video clip for the city initiative to combat the covid pandemic. The three-minute clip was made by quantum physicist and string theorist Vera Spillner, who is a member of the club. It gives chess fans an insight into the game and into club life during Corona, with a clever move, checkmate, included. Vera's video is the first of a series.

7/22/2020 – Magnus Carlsen picked up where he left off in the last tournament of his own series, as he convincingly defeated Anish Giri in the first round of the ‘Legends of Chess’ tournament. The biggest surprise of the day came from Boris Gelfand, who obtained a clean victory over world number three Ding Liren. Besides Carlsen and Gelfand, Peter Svidler was the one other player to win without needing tiebreaks. | Photo: Ritvo Photography