ChessBase Account: MyGames Cloud (part two)

12/30/2015 – While it is absolutely true that one can create a database, enter fresh games, and analyze them, all using the MyGames app, to get the most from all its options such as collectively shared databases across the globe, you need ChessBase 13. However, you don’t need this if all you want is to to share analysis for player preparation as a player with a second or coach.

CNN: An interview with Magnus conducted by fans

12/30/2015 – You might be inclined to dismiss this as YAIWMC (Yet Another Interview with Magnus Carlsen), but this one particular one mediated (not conducted) by CNN came with a twist. All the questions came from fans through social networks, asking everything: from Carlsen's eating habits to his ultimate opponent. Some of the answers might surprise you!

ChessBase Christmas Puzzles 2015 (6)

12/30/2015 – This year was the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Musing over the Napoleonic invasion of Russia, three years before, Pal Benko found a well-known chess problem that reflects the retreat of the French forces and the attacks by Cossack Hussards. It was composed by Alexander Petrov in 1824, but is somewhat flawed. Our problemist friend could not resist improving on it.

The strategical opening exchange sacrifice

12/30/2015 – Opening theory evolves at a startling rate, and most instruction deals with concrete variations and lines to wield the openings in battle over the board. However, in this series of lectures, the erudite GM Adrian Mikhalchishin discusses the evolution of the exchange sacrifice in opening theory and its many manifestations. A fascinating and entertaining course.

Best of 2015: Best player

12/29/2015 – The year 2015 is almost over, so we thought it's time to let you vote for your highlights of this year. To begin with, we want you to vote for the best male player of the year. The following article presents a number of players who currently shape the chess world and whose achievements in 2015 stand out. Who is your player of the year 2015?

2015 Al Ain Classic Rd6-7: Wang Hao is unstoppable

12/29/2015 – Wang Hao scored another victory, this time against Micheil Mchedishvili of Georgia to take his tally to 6.5/7 and extend his lead by a full point at the end of the seventh round. Four players share second on 5.5/7, Alexei Shirov, Arman Pashikian, Abhijeet Gupta and Yuriy Kryvoruchko. In this report you will find fine portraits and commented games.

ChessBase Chrismas Puzzles 2015 (5)

12/29/2015 – Here's an interesting problem: say you have found some moves somewhere, in coordinate notation without piece names – e.g. 1.h7g5 d8g5 2.b5d5 d1c2 etc. Can one reconstruct the original supposedly meaningful position to which they apply? Azlan Iqbal, who has a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence, retraces his thought processes when he tried, in this unique exercise in forensic chess. Help him and you can win a special prize.

Qatar 2015 Rd9: Carlsen takes title in thrilling final round

12/29/2015 – After an edge-of-your-seat final round in which Yu Yangyi defeated Wesley So to try to snatch the title in a playoff, World Champion Magnus Carlsen added another feather to his cap by clinching the Qatar Masters 2015 title after outclassing his Chinese rival in tie break blitz games. Express Report.

Qatar Masters R08: Mamedyarov vs Carlsen

12/29/2015 – In round 8 we saw a lot of draws on the top boards. But not all were drawn. Yu Yangyi won against Grandelius to join Kramnik who also won against Sjugirov. They're both on 6 out of 8 directly behind Magnus Carlsen. Carlsen had the black pieces against Mamedyarov and won in the end. Daniel King analysed this game in his highlight video. Click here for the video...

Powerful pawns

12/29/2015 – Every week ChessBase magazine author and renowned endgame expert Karsten Müller presents a remarkable or particularly instructive endgame in his blog. A click on the diagram opens a larger board. Test your endgame skills, improve and have fun!

Carlos Torre Open: Snowless winter (2/2)

12/29/2015 – When having lived in a country where Christmas is synonymous of snow and sleighs, it can be quite disconcerting to find oneself in hot sunny pastures, even if distracted by a very busy tournament schedule. Nevertheless, how can one complain with paradise on one side, and ancient civilizations on the other? A large pictorial by Alina L'Ami.

Qatar Masters Rd8: It’s a Carlsen vs Kramnik showdown!

12/29/2015 – Magnus Carlsen won his game with ease against Mamedyarov and shot into sole lead with 6.5/8. Kramnik beat Sjugirov while Yu Yangyi got the better of Nils Grandelius. Both of them follow Magnus with 6.0/8. It is going to be a superb last round as Carlsen takes on Kramnik and Wesley takes on Yu Yangyi. In this article we also introduce you to the eight chess couples in Qatar!

Announcing 14th Delhi Open with record prizes

12/28/2015 – The 2016 edition of the Delhi International Open will take place from January 9-16, 2016, and will have a prizefund of roughly 48 thousand Euros, a record in India! The event will bring opportunities for players of all levels, with norm opportunities for strong players, to incredibly rich prizes even for lower rated categories. Read on how to inscribe.

Qatar 2015 Rd8: Carlsen smashes Mamedyarov

12/28/2015 – After his recent success in the London Chess Classic which helped him to win the Grand Chess Tour, Magnus Carlsen is close to another tournament victory as he emerges as the sole leader with 6.5/8 at the end of the eighth round at the Qatar Masters. Kramnik and Yu Yangyi trail with 6.0/8 and hope for a miracle in the last round. Express report.

Qatar 2015 round 7: Two rounds to go, three leaders!

12/28/2015 – After a draw with Anish Giri in round seven Magnus Carlsen is no longer the sole leader at the Qatar Masters. He is joined by Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who played yet another enterprising game against Surya Ganguly and Sanan Sjugirov, who was simply flawless in his execution of Dmitry Jakovenko. A pack of 16 players with half a point less follow the leaders. Exclusive pictures and In depth analysis from Doha.

ChessBase Christmas Puzzles 2015 (4)

12/28/2015 – In our previous puzzle article we showed you a complex endgame which Garry Kasparov had shown a young chess prodigy. The former World Champion also explained a number of important endgame concepts to the lad, who went on to annotate the game for us. If you go through his notes carefully you will learn quite a bit about chess endings and tempos. Don't miss it – it will add some Elo points to your rating!

Qatar Masters R07: Sjugirov vs Jakovenko

12/28/2015 – Allmost all top boards drew their games in round 7 at the Qatar Masters. That left the possibility for others to catch up. Sanan Sjugirov played a good game against Dmitry Jakovenko and seized the opportunity to join Carlsen and Mamedyarov in the lead. Daniel King analysed the game Sjugirov vs Jakovenko for our readers. Click here for the video...

Carlos Torre Open: Snowless winter (1/2)

12/28/2015 – Though four players managed to claw their way to a tie for first, they certainly reached it by different roads. Top-seed Lazaro Batista Bruzon took first after a very focused tournament, not even allowing a smile to distract him from his goal. Whereas Jorge COri, who lost in the second round, staged a fantastic comeback to join the podium. Report by Alina L'Ami.

2015 Al Ain Classic: Wang Hao takes lead with 5.0/5

12/27/2015 – Chinese Grandmaster and second seed Wang Hao has taken sole lead at the Al Ain Chess Classic after five rounds with a perfect score. He is followed closely by Alexei Shirov who seems to be finding his form with every passing round. What’s more, they both will face off in round six in what could be the match of the tournament! Here is the report with commented games.

Qatar 2015 Rd7: Mamedyarov and Sjugirov join Magnus

12/27/2015 – After seven rounds at the Qatar Masters three players share the lead with 5.5/7 each: Magnus Carlsen, who drew against Anish Giri after a tough fight, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, who won a messy game against Surya Ganguly, and Sanan Sjugirov, who defeated Dmitry Jakovenko. Half a point behind the three leaders are sixteen players with 5.0/7. Express Report.

Qatar 2015 round six: race for the title

12/27/2015 – The top five boards ended in draws, so that Magnus Carlsen maintained his half-point lead, but now has 13 people following him. With three rounds to go the race to the title is getting intense. In this report we reveal the secret of what players like Kramnik, Li Chao, Hou Yifan eat during the game, and also how Karjakin, Wesley and Carlsen’s sisters spend the rest day. Illustrated report with pictures, video and analysis.

Qatar Masters: Daniel King analyses

12/27/2015 – The Qatar Masters didn't stop over christmas. For those who haven't caught up with the results, Daniel King analysed two games of the last two rounds in his videos. Carlsen vs Li Shao from round 5 and Wei Yi vs Bromberger from round 6. Click here for the videos...

ChessBase Christmas Puzzles 2015 (3)

12/27/2015 – In the previous installment we showed you a study that Garry Kasparov gave to a ten-year-old prodigy to solve – in his mind. Today we bring you the solution and tell you how 2600+ GMs fared with the same task. And then there is a second study which Garry gave the lad to solve, one that will help you understand some important principles and improve your calculation skills.

Qatar 2015 Rd6: Carlsen leads, with thirteen following

12/26/2015 – The results at the top boards in the sixth round at the Qatar Masters did not live up the excitement of earlier rounds, with only Giri’s cliffhanger game with Ganguly causing heartburn for chess fans. However, if action was lacking on the very top boards, with so many strong GMs, there were plenty of entertaining games to be found. Express report.