The latest issue of ChessBase Magazine, number 231, is devoted to one of the major highlights of the chess year: the recently concluded Candidates Tournament. And what a tournament it was! The 20-year-old Javokhir Sindarov made a sensational start, producing inspiring chess from day one and immediately becoming one of the event’s central figures. His game against Praggnanandhaa in particular was a masterpiece. Wesley So summed it up perfectly, calling it "a very entertaining game and one of the most beautiful I have seen in a long time."
In his video, GM Dorian Rogozenco revisits the highlights of the Candidates Tournament and explores the reasons behind Sindarov’s sensational yet fully deserved triumph – a victory that earned him the right to challenge World Champion Gukesh. This cover feature is complemented in the sections "Top Games" and "Master Analysis" by further high-class game commentaries from Anish Giri, Yannick Pelletier, Wesley So and Vaishali Rameshbabu. Together, these analyses convey the feeling of experiencing the tournament all over again – an outstanding read.
The "CBM Special" is devoted entirely to Magnus Carlsen. In 20 extensive game analyses, the team of authors traces the development of the highest-rated player in chess history. The focus is on previously uncommented Carlsen victories from 2014 to 2023, offering a fascinating journey through nearly a decade of world-class chess.
The opening articles in the section "Ideas for your repertoire" are presented so engagingly that they immediately inspire the reader to try the ideas in practice. Particularly noteworthy are Petra Papp’s excellent Anti-Winawer survey, Grigoriants’ investigation of the move 5...Na6!? in the Two Knights Variation of the Caro-Kann, and Kuzmin’s analysis of the surprising idea 8.g4!? in a Semi-Slav line. It is difficult to single out individual variations – the wealth of interesting ideas ensures that there is something here for every taste.
The opening section is rounded off by additional video contributions from GM Werle on the French Tarrasch Variation with 5...a6!?, GM Marin on the Italian Game, and GM Daniel King on the Modern Catalan featuring 6...a5!?.
The "Coaching by experts" section covers a wide range of practical topics, including fortress positions, the d5 outpost in the Dragon Variation, useful tournament advice, and the ever-popular "Move by Move" series with IM Martin Breutigam – a proven and highly instructive format that remains one of my personal favourites.
IM Oliver Reeh’s "Tune your tactics" section presents a wealth of fascinating ideas that are relevant long before the middlegame is reached. Fans of original opening concepts will also find plenty to enjoy, as these themes are explored through carefully selected games in the interactive Fritztrainer format. In addition, classical tactical motifs from both the middlegame and the endgame are examined in a systematic and instructive manner.
Anyone looking to improve their endgame skills should not miss GM Karsten Müller’s "Excelling in endgames" section. In his clear and instructive style, he covers both outstanding endgames from recent tournament practice and fundamental theoretical knowledge, including such classic topics as queen versus rook.
The training programme is rounded off by the section "Practice makes perfect – it’s your move!", which offers more than 100 exercises at the click of a button, inviting readers to test and sharpen their skills straight away.
What I particularly like about ChessBase Magazine is its strong practical orientation. The games can be replayed directly in ChessBase, and the opening reference allows readers to follow how new theoretical ideas continue to develop in actual tournament practice.
After studying the opening articles, one immediately feels inspired to try out the recommended lines in one’s own games – ideally while enjoying a relaxed cup of coffee on the ChessBase server!
The contents of ChessBase Magazine are available entirely in digital form, both as a Windows installation and as a ChessBase Book for online use on macOS, tablets and iPads. The presentation has also improved considerably in recent years. What was once a slim accompanying booklet has evolved into a generously designed PDF magazine. Across 52 pages, it not only provides a compact overview of the contents of the download and Book versions, but also features selected opening articles and game analyses in full. The layout is excellent throughout – modern, clear and highly reader-friendly.
Highly recommended!
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