Checkmate boredom: Shape the future of ChessBase with us!

by ChessBase
8/4/2025 – Since 1986, we've been building chess software that inspires millions of players worldwide. Now, we're looking for someone with both technical and chess intuition. Not just to join the team, but to help lead it into the future.
Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

Lead Developer - Chess Software

Location: Preferably Hamburg – or remote from a European time zone with regular visits to Hamburg.
Language: English (German a plus but not required)

Who we’re looking for

  • You're a seasoned software developer, ideally in C++ or a comparable high-level language.
  • You're ready to grow into a technical leadership role, as several of our long-standing senior developers will retire in the coming years.
  • You love tackling complex challenges, designing sustainable solutions, and making bold architectural decisions.
  • You're passionate about chess. You’ve played in clubs or tournaments, trained systematically, maybe even coached others. Ideally, you know ChessBase as a user and have ideas on what we could improve.
  • You thrive in collaboration, communicate clearly, and enjoy mentoring others.
  • You live in a European time zone, allowing for real-time collaboration with our team in Hamburg.

We’re not just looking for another coder. We’re looking for someone with vision. Someone who will help guide our development team into the next generation of ChessBase products.

What we offer

  • A clear path to technical leadership in a team of experienced (and soon retiring) developers.
  • A mature codebase with ~1.8 million lines of C++ code - plus web and cloud projects to match.
  • Plenty of freedom to pursue your own ideas and features.
  • A no-nonsense, pragmatic work culture: quick decisions, minimal bureaucracy.
  • A small, stable company with a big footprint in the chess world - and a long-term mindset.
  • A warm welcome, whether you join us in Hamburg or work remotely from Europe.

Our Tech Stack at a Glance

C++
Our core (~1.8 million lines). You’ll work on ChessBase for Windows, Fritz, Playchess Client, engine integration, and backend systems.

C# / ASP.NET Core
Used for backends powering our shop, news, video platforms, engine cloud, and more.

JavaScript / TypeScript / React
Frontends for ChessBase Mobile, Fritz & Chesster, PGN replay, tactics trainer - ~200,000 lines of JS code.

AI / Machine Learning
We embrace experimentation. GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, and our own AI prototypes (some published, some not) help power creative features like those in Fritz 20.

Databases: SQL Server, MongoDB.

Your Move

Join a team where chess is not just content - it’s culture.
Bring your skills, your creativity, and your curiosity. Help shape the future of ChessBase. And grow into a role that truly makes a difference.

Apply now: bewerbung@chessbase.com

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See also

Svitlana Demchenko: Silence the Sicilian - Win with the Alapin Variation (2.c3)

7/28/2025 – This practical course offers a clean and effective response to the Sicilian Defense. By playing 2.c3, you sidestep heavy theory and gain early central control, logical development, and aggressive yet manageable positions. The course includes structured explanations, model games, and interactive training tools to help you confidently master the Alapin and outplay your opponents.

See also

Study and play: learning openings with Fritz 20 and the Opening Encyclopedia!

7/26/2025 – The Opening Encyclopedia offers a wide range of exciting repertoire suggestions. But how can you tell if a recommendation truly suits your playing style? The best way is to try it out in a practical match against Fritz 20. With the "Play Against Database Book" feature, you can load opening articles, game collections, or analyses directly from the encyclopedia as an opening book and immediately play against Fritz. This lets you test new lines under realistic conditions. Best of all: This week (until July 27, 2025), you can get the Fritz 20 and Opening Encyclopedia bundle at a special Summer Special price.
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Video

60m How to fight Queen's Pawn Openigns

After 1.d4 d5 many players with White avoid the great amount of theory in the Slav, Semi-Slav, QGA and Orthodox Queen's Gambit and do not therefore play 2.c4. This is not very ambitious, but the painful experience of many chess players has been that the Colle System, the Trompowsky Attack, the Torre Attack and the London System are nevertheless extremely dangerous. Black has to be prepared for each of these openings and IM Valeri Lilov offers you some help with his six instructive videos, in which he demonstrates for each single opening a relevant plan for Black. In addition to the openings mentioned, the Bulgarian trainer also delves into the Catalan, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and the Richter-Veresov Opening.
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