Traditional, innovative

The London Chess Classic, with a 15-year history, has by now become a traditional tournament. It is more than just a tournament, since from the outset the event was conceived as a chess festival, with a main tournament and a number of side events in which chess enthusiasts of all playing strengths and all ages are involved.

Moreover, it was the London Chess Classic which, from the very beginning in 2011, took a previously unknown approach to the presentation of the tournament. The organisers in London were then pioneers in live-streaming and live commentary on the internet.

Attack like a Super Grandmaster

In this Fritztrainer: “Attack like a Super GM” with Gukesh we touch upon all aspects of his play, with special emphasis on how you can become a better attacking player.

Chief organiser Malcolm Pein

This year, in the elite group, leading English players are once again facing top international GMs and producing interesting encounters. But the B tournament, a well-attended international open that is strong both in depth and in playing strength, also deserves attention.

The number one seed is the world's best under-20 player, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. He would also have headed the seeding list in the elite tournament. However, the dates of the World Cup and the London Chess Classic were very close together. Had Praggnanandhaa reached the final in Goa, playing in London would likely not have been possible. But he was knocked out a little earlier and was therefore still able to register late for the Open. The elite tournament field, of course, had already been finalised.

The field in the Open at the Emirates Stadium in London, the home ground of the football club Arsenal, is strong both numerically and in quality, with just under 120 players, including 26 GMs. All in all, if every title is counted, there are just under 100 titleholders in the lineup.

The Open

The Indian superstar has so far been quite convincing and has demonstrated his class in a number of interesting games, although his opponents did not freeze in awe and were very much willing to put up resistance.

But not all of Praggnanandhaa's opponents resigned themselves to defeat, and the Indian also conceded three draws. And some of the other top grandmasters, even if not quite so high in the world rankings, likewise scored good results.

Thus, after seven rounds, six players are in the lead on 5½ points.

Standings after round 7

Middlegame Secrets Vol.1 + Vol.2

Let us learn together how to find the best spot for the queen in the early middlegame, how to navigate this piece around the board, how to time the queen attack, how to decide whether to exchange it or not, and much more!

...119 players

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ChessBase '26 - Mega Package

EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
Data, plans, practice – the new Opening Report In ChessBase there are always attempts to show the typical plans of an opening variation. In the age of engines, chess is much more concrete than previously thought. But amateurs in particular love openings with clear plans, see the London System. In ChessBase ’26, three functions deal with the display of plans. The new opening report examines which piece moves or pawn advances are significant for each important variation. In the reference search you can now see on the board where the pieces usually go. If you start the new Monte Carlo analysis, the board also shows the most common figure paths.