3/27/2016 – Hikaru Nakamura played a solid Queen’s Gambit Declined against Veselin Toplaov, equalized quickly, won a pawn the game in 40 moves. Viswanathan Anand vs Anish Giri was a draw in 52 moves. Sergey Karjakin managed to draw in a dangerous position against Levon Aronian in 101 moves, while Caruana-Svidler turned into a 50-move-rule drama that ended on move 116 in a draw. Full report with postgame interviews and indepth analysis.

3/27/2016 – "I write for ChessBase because, as a kind of ‘community service’, we academics are expected to convey our research to the public in more palatable and widespread forms than just technical papers," writes Dr Azlan Iqbal. Unfortunately some readers interpreted his last article to be misogynistic, having “gratuitous sexist content”. The author replies to his critics and describes the application of the scientific method to an area as nebulous as aesthetics in chess.

3/26/2016 – Amruta Mokal is in Moscow for the Candidates 2016 and sends us beautiful pictures every day. Today we have a compilation of her photos which doesn’t include any of the eight candidates on the chess board. Here are pictures of spectators and famous personalities who visited the tournament hall and also the organizers who have made this event possible. Enjoy this pictorial.

3/26/2016 – In horror films the fog never lifts until the very end. Despite twelve ferocious rounds of chess, fog still lies heavy on the Candidates tournament, but there is some indication of what we'll see when it clears. Despite some vile blunders and dreadful tension it's less a case of pure horror, and more a case of whodunnit - or rather who will do it.

3/25/2016 – The comeback man, to the chagrin of a billion fans, has been beaten back – Anand was defeated in only 26 moves by Nakamura. Now Karjakin is staging a comeback by defeating Topalov. Meanwhile FIDE President Ilyumzhinov has hinted that the World Championship in November might take place in the Trump Tower in New York! Here is the full report with pictures, videos, and analysis.

3/25/2016 – Tactics can seem deceptively simple, particularly when seeing an engine analysing grandmaster games. Strange, however, how difficult it is to find the right move and to calculate variations properly when playing yourself. It is easier if you solve tactical puzzles regularly. In the ChessBase Magazine and his tactics column Oliver Reeh helps you to do so.

3/25/2016 – When discussing expensive chess sets, the reason for their premium value usually falls into two categories: unusual materials and workmanship, or precious metals and gems. Next month, the famous auction house Sotheby’s will be offering rare and old chess sets and pieces expecting to fetch top prices, such as ivory pieces carved during the Samanid Empire more than 1,000 years ago!

3/24/2016 – A billion fans are cheering: Anand defeated Sergey Karjakin in brilliant manner (ask Garry!) and changed the tune in the Candidates. Prior to the round, Karjakin was leading, together with Fabiano Caruana, both at 6.0/11. With Anand’s victory the five-time World Champion has now joined Caruana at the top. You will find pictures, comprehensive ananlysis and exclusive postgame interviews in our round eleven report.

3/24/2016 – Got a couple of hours to spare? Well, about seven hours for a start. Then you can watch a new video show set up by the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, currently covering the Candidates Tournament in Moscow (rounds 8, 9 and 10). Initiator is Maurice Ashley, anchors are Alejandro Ramirez and Yasser Seirawan (whose birthday is today) – all ChessBase authors. Have fun with their new show.

3/23/2016 – Specifically Fabiano Caruana ripped open his kingside with a piece sacrifice to beat Viswanathan Anand and catch Sergey Karjakin, who drew against Anish Giri, in the overall lead. Peter Svidler and Hikaru Nakamura drew in a strategic battle. Levon Aronian vs Veselin Topalov was a long manouvering draw. Here are pictures and analysis, and revealing video interviews conducted immediately after the games.

3/22/2016 – One can never have too much data as any Wall Street analyst will tell you. In this latest report on the Candidates based on simulations with weighted statistics, we not only see what the winning chances are for the various players, but also what games will have the biggest impact in the next rounds, and even what games have the biggest impact on Anand's winning chances.

3/22/2016 – It has been a fascinating event as one would expect, with chances taken, chances missed, and chances grabbed. After nine rounds of competition, the veteran former World Champion Vishy Anand has elbowed and kicked his way to the top to join Sergey Karjakin in the lead. Anything still goes, and reviewing the results and stats, here is the assessment and prognosis by Jon Speelman.