Knight vs bishop - the eternal duel

7/4/2017 – Who is stronger: knight or bishop? The knight is slow but nimble. And if things go seriously wrong the knight can still try to erect a fortress. However, it's best to design such a fortress carefully.

Bobby Fischer in Iceland – 45 years ago (1)

7/4/2017 – In the final week of June 1972 the chess world was in turmoil. The match between World Champion Boris Spassky and his challenger Bobby Fischer was scheduled to begin, in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, on July 1st. But there was no sign of Fischer. The opening ceremony took place without him, and the first game, scheduled for July 2nd, was postponed. Then finally, in the early hours of July 4th, Fischer arrived. Frederic Friedel narrates.

Simon says - Recent developments in his latest DVDs

7/3/2017 – In this Simon Says Simon Williams will took a look at the recent developments in his latest DVDs such as the Four Knights and the London System. Tune in for some lively fun later! An example and more information...

Magnus Carlsen wins Leuven with three-point lead

7/3/2017 – It was all Magnus Carlsen in the last two days as he overcame a three-point deficit, trailing Wesley So, who had performed superbly in the rapid games, to win the Grand Chess Tour tournament in Leuven with a full three-point lead. His blitz performance of 3018 Elo over 18 games says it all. Wesley So came in second, while Maxime Vachier-Lagrave took third. Enjoy this illustrated report with analysis by GM Alex Yermolinsky.

Study of the Month: Rocking rooks

7/3/2017 – In his new article, Siegfried Hornecker shows how rooks can be the rock stars of the chessboard. We look at the inofficial "Study of the Year 2015" by Serbian composer Mirko Miljanic, a surprising checkmate by Alois Wotawa and Henri Rinck's king helix. As an addition, a musical work by former World Champion Vasily Smyslov is discussed. The extraordinary high art of chess studies never ceases to impress.

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven Express: Magnus Carlsen runs away with event

7/2/2017 – With a performance rating in excess of 3000 Elo, Magnus Carlsen's blitz skills not only allowed him to bridge the three-point deficit after the rapid games, but to finish with a full three-point lead and run away with the Leuven tournament of the Grand Chess Tour with 25.5/36. Wesley So was able to at least secure clear second with 22.5/36, a half-point ahead of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave with 22.0/36. Express report.

International Women's Chess Festival in Erfurt

7/2/2017 – It's taking place from Monday, July 31st, to Friday, August 4th, with six tournaments: Ladies Champions Match, Young Masters, Women’s Open, German National Rapidplay & Blitz Championships, Girls Grand-Prix-Final. the entry fee is €55 per player, €35 for players born in 1999 or later. Total prize fund: €6.060. Open to girls and women with a valid FIDE ID. Go register, it will be great fun.

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven: The Magnus Carlsen Show

7/2/2017 – With a three point lead over Magnus Carlsen after the rapid games, and two over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Wesley So had to have though it would at least carry him over until Sunday. However, he could not have predicted the Magnus Carlsen Show that lasted throughout the day, with the World Champion in scintillating form, finding inspired and many-times clear best moves grandmasters might find challenging even in classical games. Full report by GM Alex Yermolinsky.

Grandmasters Stukopin and Belous Storm the Midwest

7/1/2017 – Russian Grandmasters Andrey Stukopin and Vladimir Belous won the 1st Wisconsin International Chess Festival, topping a 64-player field with a convincing 7.5/9. Both University of Texas at Brownsville students took the event by storm, going undefeated in nine games and living up to their expectation as the top two seeds. Report and analysis by GM Joshua Friedel.

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven Express: Magnus Carlsen catches up leader

7/1/2017 – With Wesley So winning the Rapid game phase, opening up a two-point edge over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and a three-point lead over Magnus Carlsen, the question was whether they might catch up with him in the blitz phase. The World Champion answered in emphatic fashion as he blew away the field with 7.5/9 on day one of the blitz phase, and already caught up with So in the combined scores. Express report.

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven: Wesley So wins Rapid stage

7/1/2017 – Day three showed no big surprises as far as the winner was concerned, with World no. 2 Wesley So winning the Rapid stage of the Leuven tournament with 14.0/18, two points ahead of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who lost his final round game against Levon Aronian, and three points ahead of Magnus Carlsen, who stands at 11.0/18. There will still be 18 blitz games to follow over the weekend, so the event is still very much undecided. Report and analysis by GM Alex Yermolinsky.

July 2017 FIDE ratings: Redistribution of wealth

6/30/2017 – This month's ratings list brings a number of remarkable results, all worthy of commentary. First and foremost is Levon Aronian's deserved return to the 2800-club after great wins at the Grenke Classic, and now at Norway Chess. Also worth noting is that the group of players rated 2800 or more has grown to six, but before concluding 'ratings inflation' read the commentary in the article to see if you still think that way after.

New: Robert Ris - The Chess Player's Mating Guide, Vol.2

6/30/2017 – Mating the enemy king is the ultimate goal in chess. Capturing weak pawns, exploiting open lines or playing with a good knight against a bad bishop is all well and good and might lead to a better endgame but mate immediately wins the game. And mating attacks are fun. Particularly so if you follow the advice of Robert Ris.

Plain sailing?

6/30/2017 – In the diagram position, 35.Nc7+ Kf6 36.Nxe8+ nets a whole rook for White, and on top of that with check. Who could ask for more? I do - I want to see how you continue following 36...Kg6 then!

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven: Wesley So increases lead

6/30/2017 – Day Two was very much a repeat of the previous day, with Wesley So repeating his stellar performance and increasing his lead to two points over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen, the top performers in the previous event in Paris. The games have been all quite exciting with nearly three-quarters ending in decisive results. Here is the illustrated report with GM analysis.

Sasikiran wins 52nd Capablanca Memorial 2017 - Part One

6/29/2017 – In its basic form it was just an interview, but in substance it was a master class that IM Sagar Shah received from GM Sasikiran Krishnan who had just won the 52nd Capablanca Memorial 2017. Before leaving for the FIDE World Team Championship, Sasi found some time to discuss his games from Cuba where he scored 6.5/10 and remained undefeated. This article shows you how a grandmaster rated nearly 2700 thinks and what one can learn from his words and variations.

Having fun with the Mega

6/29/2017 – The ChessBase Mega Database contains more than 6.8 million games, the whole history of chess, from 1560 to 2016. And the Mega has a powerful search mask which gives ample opportunity for a little chess fun. For instance, if you want to know what is the shortest game of all time that ended with stalemate.

Grand Chess Tour - Leuven: Wesley So storms first day

6/29/2017 – Day One of the Leuven stage of the Grand Chess Tour, held in Leuven, Belgium, was already a significant departure from Paris, which ended just days before. Whereas World Champion Magnus Carlsen had run away with the Rapid stage, while Wesley So, the world no. 2, had displayed tepid form, things took an about face on Day One in Belgium. Wesley So was in superb form, scoring 2.5/3, including a convincing win over Magnus Carlsen himself. Report and analysis by GM Alex Yermolinsky.

The Game of the Week

6/28/2017 – Every week fascinating chess games are played around the globe. IM Merijn van Delft picks his favorite game and explains all aspects from the opening to endgame which will enrichen your knowledge of all phases of the game. Tune in at 7pm Uk time.

Come play in the Shire of Modern Earth!

6/28/2017 – One of India's most recent GM Srinath Narayanan came across a chance to play in an astonishing location for a week and enjoy nature. The Baggins side in him immediately woke up. As he embarks on the adventure, he invites readers to join him at this outlandish location, that is the closest one can get to the 'Shire' in the modern earth. Visit the Faroe Islands and explore Europe's best kept secret.

New: Victor Bologan - Reti - a Repertoire for White

6/28/2017 – What to play with White? How about 1.Nf3? With this move White can steer the game into the positions he likes and Black has to be careful not to get wrong-footed. Moreover, 1.Nf3 is also objectively strong and has been played by numerous top-players and World Champions. Victor Bologan recommends a repertoire.

China and Russia win FIDE World Team Championship

6/28/2017 – It was a remarkable finish to a remarkable event. Entering the final round of the FIDE World Team Championship, gold seemed a lock for the Chinese since the only way Russia could beat them was if they not only drew Poland, but Russia beat the US by 3.5-0.5. However, the Russians did even better as they swept the US 4-0. China, in danger of faltering, was saved by Li Chao who scored a powerful and crucial win. In the Women’s Russia beat Ukraine and took gold. Final report with GM analysis.

Speelman's Agony #55

6/27/2017 – This week's games are by Tanmay Srinath, who is sixteen and from Bangalore, India. A Taekwondo Black Belt, his is an international gold medalist, who has represented India at the highest level with distinction. Tanmay started playing chess at the age of 13 and has already played in four state championships and one national open. Jon Speelman evaluates his Agony and Ecstasy games.

The Weekly Show with Lawrence Trent

6/27/2017 – 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 is all about the Grand Chess Tour and the World Team Championship.