9/6/2019 – If you play an opening, it is advisable not just to know the moves, but also the plan that is behind them. The ChessBase 15 Plan Explorer is able to show us these plans. It evaluates the games that have been played in different openings and shows how the players continued their development. Unlike the reference search it is not about next move, but about the further development. The Plan Explorer is a tool that helps us not only to remember the moves, but also to understand them. We will show you some practical examples and explain how it works. | Graphic: ChessBase

9/6/2019 – The annual Chess Train rolls on, and the 2019 route takes it from Prague via Karlovy Vary to Český Krumlov, Brno and Trenčín, then back to Prague, from October 11th to 15th. During the trip, a rapid chess tournament is played over 11 rounds, while in the afternoon and evening you can see the sights of the destination cities and towns. A unique and fun chess experience!

9/6/2019 – With 36...Qd2 in the diagram Black's queen approaches the enemy king and attacks its "best friend", the knight on d3. Please evaluate the position, and then make the right choice for White!

9/6/2019 – From September 6th to October 5th, The Power Station, a not-for-profit initiative providing a platform for contemporary art projects in Dallas, Texas, hosts Good Moves, a group exhibition dedicated to chess. The Good Moves online auction ends October 6th. Auction proceeds benefit Vogel Alcove, to endow a chess program for homeless children. WIM ALEXEY ROOT is attending the Good Moves premiere and sent us this preview. | Photo: Kevin Todora

9/5/2019 – Public appearances by Garry Kasparov are often notable, even more so at chess events and especially if the ex-world champion is coaxed into playing chess himself. At the "Champions Showdown" from the Saint Louis Chess Club, Kasparov faced Fabiano Caruana in a 'Fischer Random' match from Monday to Thursday. Although the final score is clearly one-sided in favour of Caruana, the world champion showed he still has what it takes to play against an active player of the elite. In the other match-ups Wesley So and Peter Svidler got comfortable wins over Veselin Topalov and Leinier Dominguez, while Hikaru Nakamura bounced back from a lousy start to finally beat Levon Aronian. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

9/5/2019 – The third day of the Champions Showdown Chess 9LX almost continued on the same lines of the previous two days. Fabiano Caruana has already defeated Garry Kasparov in their match with a day to go, with a score of 14½:3½, while Wesley So too has almost crossed the threshold against Veselin Topalov at 13:5. Leinier Dominguez showed a fightback against Peter Svidler to narrow the trailing margin to 7:11. Kudos to Hikaru Nakamura who narrowed Aronian's lead to a point before the last day of 8 blitz games. Aronian leads 9½:8½. IM VENKATACHALAM SARAVANAN reports. | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

9/1/2019 – You know him as "Antonio Pereira", with over 200 articles to his credit since mid-2018, but starting today, our new Bolivia-based Assistant Editor CARLOS COLODRO steps out from behind the pseudonym. Adios Antonio, bienvenido Carlos! But why, you may ask? Read on to find out!

9/1/2019 – The 12th edition of the African Games took place in Morocco from August 23rd to the 31st. Chess was in the mix for a fourth time and, much like in the general standings, the Egyptian representatives dominated their opponents, as they won gold medals in all five competitions: Team Rapid (mixed), Rapid (open and women's) and Blitz (open and women's). Algeria finished second in the team event and collected three bronze medals in the individual competitions. | Photos: Mohamed Bounaji / FIDE

8/31/2019 – This month Study of the Month columnist SIEGFRIED HORNECKER looks at the WCCI, or World Championship in Composing for Individuals, and the legacy of Nenad Petrović (pictured). As per a rather new rule, the best compositions there automatically qualify for the official FIDE Album, which will be covered in a follow-up article. | Photo: Arves.org

8/31/2019 – A promising young star is already leaving his mark in Belgian chess. 13-year-old Daniel Dardha won the 2019 national championship in Charleroi — a ten-player single round robin — finishing ahead of three grandmasters to become the youngest ever Belgian chess champion. FABRICE WANTIEZ tells us about Daniel's background, as chess has been part of his family for quite a while ago already.

8/31/2019 – Learning from our mistakes is, of course, crucially important for players of all levels. In the latest video series from Nick Pert, the English grandmaster and experienced trainer tackles common mistakes that are made by players rated between a FIDE Elo of 1000 and 1600.

8/30/2019 – Ding Liren carried the day in St. Louis, surprising spectators by winning a rapid and blitz tiebreak against World Champion Magnus Carlsen. Carlsen was consistently behind on the clock which proved a decisive factor, as a tentative move in the first blitz game actually resulted in his losing on time, despite the 3-second delay. After that Ding needed only a draw to secure his first Sinquefield Cup and a nearly certain ticket to the Grand Chess Tour final in London later this year. IM VENKATACHALAM SARAVANAN reports all action from the venue. | Photo: Lennart / Grand Chess Tour