Remembering Rudolf Spielmann (5. May 1883 - 20. August 1942)

8/20/2017 – The Austrian Rudolf Spielmann was a brilliant attacking player and a predecessor of Mihail Tal. His book "Richtig Opfern!" (The Art of Sacrifice in Chess) is considered to be a classic of attacking chess. Spielmann died under tragic circumstances on 20. August 1942, 75 years ago.

Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz: Highlights from Day 5

8/20/2017 – The thrills and spills from Day 4 continued into the final round-robin. Karjakin's surge faded, and he ended in a tie for second with Hikaru Nakamura. But neither player could catch Levon Aronian, who stayed one step ahead in the combined standings, to clinch first place overall with two rounds to spare. Garry Kasparov finally hit his stride, scoring 5½ / 9 on the final day. If the blitz were a standalone tournament, Kasparov would have been fifth. Here are some of Friday's highlights. | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz: Closing Ceremony and Ultimate Moves

8/19/2017 – The live action continued Saturday featuring the now-traditional trash-talk filled blitz bonanza known as Ultimate Moves. "Team Rex" squeaked out the victory after a 3/3 tie sparked an wild impromptu tiebreak game (not planned in advance), which was unceremoniously concluded by an illegal move made by Randy Sinquefield!

All Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz interviews

8/19/2017 – Following on the heels of the Sinquefield Cup, the Saint Louis Blitz and Rapid lasted just five days, with each webcast lasting about 4½ hours. Most player interviews took place at the end of the day, after the rapid or blitz games concluded. For posterity, we've once again compiled quick links to all those post-game chats with Maurice Ashley and Cristian Chirila. | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Oldie Goldie

8/18/2017 – With his pawn on h6 the diagram position would be absolutely fine for Black. The way things are, however, White has a splendid sequence to exploit the enemy back rank weakness. Six moves spot-on - can you do it like him?

Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz: Karjakin ascendent

8/18/2017 – Reigning World Blitz Champion Sergey Karjakin dominated the first leg of the Blitz event as he scored 8 points out of a possible 9, but still pronounced that he was ‘actually very angry that I didn’t win my first game against Garry!’ in their mutual encounter. Aronian continues to lead the overall standings comprising the score from the Rapid event as well. One more round-robin cycle of Blitz remains to be played on Friday, August 18th. | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Bobby Fischer in Iceland – 45 years ago (10)

8/18/2017 – The Match of the Century was coming to a head, with Spassky, but despite all his efforts, unable to reduce the deficit. "I felt that Fischer was like a large fish in my hands," he lamented, "one that was slippery and hard to hold on to. At certain moments I let him slip. And then again the psychological torment would begin. Everything had to be begun again from the start ..." Spassky was beginning to feel despondent. | Photo: Skáksamband Íslands

Giri wins in Wenzhou

8/18/2017 – In the Chinese metropolis of Wenzhou last week, a four game match, dubbed the "Xinqiao Cup", was played between the two world-class players Anish Giri (Netherlands) and Ding Liren (China). Three games were drawn but Giri reeled in one full point to win the match 2.5:1.5. The decisive game contained several interesting moments worthy of further study. | Photos: www.qipai.org.cn

Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz: Kasparov was "too democratic"

8/17/2017 – Where Kasparov is, there is drama. On the last day of rapid at the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament, the 13th World Champion was particularly emotive after he completely outplayed David Navara, only to spoil the game utterly. Levon Aronian leads the field alone. | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz: Nepomniachtchi first to clear lead

8/16/2017 – After six rounds of rapid, Nepomniachtchi leads with 4.0 / 6. He dealt the first loss to Garry Kasparov in Round 5, as the 13th World Champion sits near the bottom of the cross table. But a large group is just half point behind with 3½ points. | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Endgame Magic with IM Irene Sukandar

8/16/2017 – Endgames are the soul of the chess games. This would probably be a phrase from GM Karsten Müller. The german grandmaster is one of the leading experts when it comes to endgames. He published books and DVD's about this topic. In his Endgame Magic Show Müller invites strong players and shows recent examples of the tournament praxis. Starting at 3pm Uk time. Guest: IM Irene Sukandar

The Weekly Show with Lawrence Trent

8/15/2017 – Tuesdays at 5pm UK time Lawrence Trent goes on air on Playchess.com. In his show Lawrence Trent will be dealing with the latest trends, games and combinations from the elite chess tournaments. This week's show looks at two games from the Sinquefiels Cup and last night's first round of the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz.

All Sinquefield Cup interviews

8/15/2017 – Ever wanted to see what the players said on the live commentary, but didn't have the time to go searching for their post-game interview (or whether they even had one)? Well, we've put together a quick reference for you! Here you'll find all player interviews from the Sinquefield Cup 2017. Every...single...one, linked for ease of use. | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Comedy of Errors

8/15/2017 – The endgame King, Bishop and "wrong" outside pawn is a well-known draw. However, if both sides still have a rook the outside pawn usually wins. But even that is not always simple.

Simon says - Puzzle Hour

8/14/2017 – In this Simon Says, Simon Williams will offer a range of puzzles for the viewer to solve. Join live, and participate in chat, or what on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

It's Lenderman!

8/14/2017 – Lenderman wins the U.S. Open in Norfolk, Virginia, with 8.0/9. From considering quitting professional chess a few months ago, to qualifying for the 2018 U.S. Championship, it's been a stark turnaround for the 27-year-old grandmaster from Brooklyn. “Apparently the game of chess doesn’t want me to leave yet.” | Photos: Vanessa Sun

Goodbye Sinquefield Cup, hello Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz

8/14/2017 – Closing the books on the Sinquefield Cup with video from the closing ceremony, and turning to the next major event right on its heels, the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament, which opens Sunday with live-streamed opening ceremony and drawing of lots. Find out who Garry Kasparov will play on Monday! | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Indian 12-year-old prodigy crosses 2500

8/13/2017 – On 10th of August, R. Praggnanandhaa turned 12 years old, and crossed 2500 FIDE Elo. He has an opportunity to go after Sergey Karjakin's record as the youngest grandmaster ever. In Vlissingen, in the Zeeland province of southwest Netherlands last week, he dominated a simultaneous exhibition, scoring 20-0, then played the annual HZ Tournament there, narrowly missing a GM-norm. | Photo: hztoernooi.nl

Sinquefield Cup: MVL WINS!

8/12/2017 – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave wins the Sinquefield Cup, the first classical event of the 2017 the Grand Chess Tour. He settled the matter without consideration for tiebreak rules by winning over Ian Nepomniachtchi to reach 6 points. Magnus Carlsen gave it his best shot by beating and leapfrogging Levon Aronian to reach 5½ points. Viswanathan Anand earlier drew with So, and only reached 5½ | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Bobby Fischer in Iceland – 45 years ago (9)

8/11/2017 – In game eleven of the World Championship match in Reykjavik, 1972, Boris Spassky had comprehensively outplayed the challenger in his favourite poisoned pawn variation of the Sicilian Defence. In game 12 he made a confident draw with black and Fischer realized his opponent was gaining ground. In the 13th game he abandoned the Sicilian and, to the chagrin of Spassky, played, for the first time in a top-level game – the Alekhine Defence. It turned into one of the most exciting battles of the match, and is beautifully annotated by GM Robert Byrne.

Sinquefield Cup: Round 8 - Poised for a photo-finish

8/11/2017 – Anand is still in the joint lead after draw with Vachier-Lagrave, as Aronian drew with Svilder. Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin are lurking a half point back and will have to win in round 9 to have any chance for tournament victory | Photos: Lennart Ootes

Double exclam

8/11/2017 – In the diagram postion Black seems to be dead lost in view of the white threats 34.Rg8 and 34.Qf5+. And yet there is a way for him to save himself - all he has to do is trade queens. But how can that be achieved? More...

An Endgame lesson and personalities at the Charleroi Open 2017

8/11/2017 – In the first part of the Charleroi Open 2017 we focused on the tournament, on the games and on the winners of the tournament. In the second part we will shift our attention to a great endgame expert playing at the tournament Aloyzas Kveinys. We try to find the reason on why he so good at the endgames and the author tries to acquaint you with a rule he has formulated in bishop vs knight endgames. The report also contains a lot beautiful pictures captured by Amruta Mokal of different personalities at the event.

Sinquefield Cup: Round 7 - Three at the top

8/10/2017 – We now have a three-way tie for first, after wins by Anand and Aronian. Vachier-Lagrave only drew, and Magnus Carlsen remains a half point back. Garry Kasparov arrived and delighted fans with an appearance on the live commentary webcast! | Photos: Lennart Ootes