4/4/2025 – Our composing tourney, My First Endgame Study, has come to a close, and we are excited to announce the award winners. This inaugural event, a joint venture between the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) and ChessBase India, drew an impressive response from the chess community, with 35 budding composers submitting a total of 60 entries. The tourney provided a platform for newcomers to showcase their skills and creativity in endgame study composition. We are delighted to present the standout entries that caught the attention of our judge and mentor, Gady Costeff. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their enthusiastic participation. Special thanks are due to Marjan Kovačević, president of the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC), without whose invaluable support and encouragement this event would not have been possible.
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60 entries, 10 winners!
By Gady Costeff
This tourney was a collaboration between ChessBase India and the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC). Tourney director Satanick Mukhuty sent me 60 studies by 35 composers. I am happy that so many tried to compose their first study. Of the 60 entries, 25 contained alternative ways to win or other serious analytic flaws, 3 were anticipated, and 1 study did not conclude with the required mate. This left 31 studies.
Smyslov cultivated a clear positional style and even in sharp tactical positions often relied more on his intuition than on concrete calculation of variations. Let our authors introduce you into the world of Vasily Smyslov.
An attractive mate, where both sides play actively - 3...Rxg5+! 4.Kh1! Rg1+! and 8. Bc8+! - and the white king makes some subtle moves. The technical captures at the start are not ideal, but the exciting events make us forget quickly. An excellent first study!
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1.Ng6+Kf51...Kd42.Nxe6+Kc43.Ba6+Kc34.Nxc51...Kf62.Ne4+2.Bxe6+2.Nxe7+Kg43.Bxe6+Kh52...Kxg63.dxe7Rxg5+3...Nf3+4.Nxf3Rc1+5.Kg24.Kh1!4.hxg5Qxg5+4...Rg1+!5.Kxg1Nf3+6.Kg2Nxh4+7.Kh3!7.Kg3Qg5+8.Bg4+Kf79.Re6Nf5+7...Qc3+8.Kxh4Qf6+8...Qh8+9.Kg3!9.Kg4?Qh5+10.Kg3Kg7!11.f4Qe812.Bd5Qxe713.Rb7Kh8!14.Rxe7stalemate9...Qe5+10.Kf3!Qf6+11.Bf5+8...Qd4+9.Kg3Qxb610.e8Q+9.Kg3!9.Kg4?Qg5+!10.Kf3Qxe711.Bc8+Kg59...Qxe79...Qg5+10.Bg4+Kf711.Re69...Qe5+10.Kf3Qf6+11.Bf5+10.Bc8+!Kh510...Kf711.Rb710...Kg511.f4+Kh512.Bg4#11.Bg4+11.Rb5+Kg612.Rb6+Kh5waste of time11...Kg512.f4#[diagram] An attractive mate, both sides play actively - 3..
.Rxg5+! 4.Kh1! Rg1+! and 8. Bc8+! and the white king plays some subtle moves.
The technical captures at the start are not idea, but the the exciting events
make us forget quikly. An excellent first study!1–0
3.Rd4! and 8.Bf4! are exciting, as every unit plays, with the exception of Pe4. Moreover, the queen's helplessness to stop the mate is a nice touch. An elegant study!
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1.Be5+!1.Kf8Nf62.Be5Ngh51.Rd4Nf6+1...Ng7+2.Kf8N3h53.Rd4‼Blocking the d-file.3.Nf5d1Q4.Nxg7Qd53...cxd44.Nf5Bh7!
Clearing space for the king4...d1Q5.Nxg7Qf1+6.Nf5+Nf67.Bxf6#5.Nxg7Bxg66.Nxh5+Kh77.Nf6+Kh87...Kh68.Bf4#8.Bf4‼d1Q9.Bh6Qb310.Bg7#[diagram] 3.Rd4!! and 8. Bf4!! are exciting, every unit plays, with
the exception of Pe4, and the queen's helplessness to stop the mate is a nice
touch. An elegant study!1–0
1.Nb6+!, 4.Kb1!, 6...Kb3!, and 7.a4!! are surprising moves, and the battle is intense throughout. The unusual mate is orchestrated with modest means.
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1.Nb6+!Bxb61...Kb52.Nxc8a42...fxg23.Bc4+Ka44.Na7g1Q5.Bb3#3.Bc4+!Ka53...Kxc44.Na7f25.d3#4.gxh3+-2.Bb3+Kb53.Bc4+!Ka43...Kxc44.a4Rd85.b3#4.Kb1!Rd84...hxg25.Ka2g1Q6.b3#5.d3!Rxd35...Rg86.Bxg8e67.Bxe6Bc78.Bc4b59.Ka2bxc410.dxc46.Bxd3Kb3!7.a4‼Surprisingly, White has time to control the b5
square, preparing the mating net.f57...c48.Bc2#8.gxf3h28...fxe49.fxe49.Bc4+Kxc410.Kc2fxe411.fxe4h1Q12.b3#[diagram] 1.Nb6+! 4.
Kb1! 6...Kb3! and 7.a4!! are surprising moves and the battle is intense
throughout. The unusual mate is orchestrated with modest means.1–0
In this video course, GM Surya Ganguly joins IM Sagar Shah and drawing from his colossal experience, shares some uncommon endgame wisdom. The material mostly features positions with rook against rook and a pawn, and starts by covering the fundamentals.
1.Bc1+ Ng5+
1...g5 2.Nd6 idea Nf5# 2...Nf6 3.Nf5+ wins material.
2.Kg8 with a strong threat of Nd6-Nf7#
2...Be5
2...Bc5 - The only other move to prevent Nd6 loses to 3.Nf6 Bd6 4.Ne4 Be7 5.Bxg5+ Bxg5 6.Nd6 c1Q 7.Nf7#
3.a3! Zugzwang
3.Kf8 Bh8 4.Kg8 Be5 wastes time.
3...Bg3
3...Bf4 4.Bxf4 c1Q 5.Bxc1 c2 6.Kf8!
4.Nf6 with the threat of Ne4.
4...Bf4
4...Be1 5.Kh8 Bd2 6.Ng8#
5.Bxf4 c1Q 6.Kh8!!
6.Bxc1? c2 7.Bf4 c1Q 8.Bxc1 stalemate.
6...Qxf4 7.Ng8# (diagram) 1-0
White defeats the black stalemate counterplay with the help of zugzwang after 3.a3. The study could be improved by showing the zugzwang with White to move in a try.
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1.Bc1+Ng5+1...g52.Nd6idea Nf5#.Nf63.Nf5+wins material2.Kg8
with a strong threat of Nd6-Nf7#Be52...Bc5The only other move to
prevent Nd6 loses to3.Nf6Bd64.Ne4Be75.Bxg5+Bxg56.Nd6c1Q7.Nf7#3.a3!Zugzwang3.Kf8Bh84.Kg8Be5wastes time3...Bg33...Bf44.Bxf4c1Q5.Bxc1c26.Kf8!4.Nf6With the threat of Ne4.Bf44...Be15.Kh8Bd26.Ng8#5.Bxf4c1Q6.Kh8‼6.Bxc1?c27.Bf4c1Q8.Bxc1
stalemate6...Qxf47.Ng8#[diagram] White defeats the black stalemate
counterply with the help of zugzwang after 3.a3. The study could be improved
by showing the zugzwang with White to move in a try.1–0
The economy and long solution are commendable, although both sides just push pawns so there is not much excitement.
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1.Kf7b32.g5b23.g6b1Q4.g7+Kh75.g8Q+Kh66.Qh8+Qh7+6...Kg57.Qh4+7.Qxh7+Kxh78.g4Kh69.h4d410.g5+Kh511.g6d312.g7d213.g8Qd1Q14.Qg5#[diagram] The economy and long solution are commendable,
although both sides just push pawns so there is not much excitement.1–0
From Mating with a queen; a rook; two bishops; a knight and a bishop; to the basics of pawn endgames – here you will gain the necessary know-how to turn your endgame advantages into victories!
5.Na6! is the main idea, and therefore the white knight must reach b4, which explains why 2.Nc2! is the correct choice. Nice logic!
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1.b6+!1.axb7Kxb71.Nc2cxb52.axb7Kxb71.Nb3h42.Nd4e33.bxc6bxa64.c7Kb75.c8Q+Kxc86.Kb6h37.c6h21...Ka82.Nc2!2.a7e33.Nc2e22.Nb3e33.Nd4h44.Ne2h32...h42...f53.a7f44.Nd4f35.Ne6f26.Nc7#2...e33.Nxe3bxa64.Kxa6Kb85.b7h46.Nd5h37.Kb6h28.Nf6h1Q9.Nd7#2...bxa63.Kxa6h44.b7+Kb85.Kb6h36.Nb4h27.Na6#3.a7!3.Nb4e34.a7e25.Na6e1Q+3...h33...e34.Nxe3h35.Nd5!cxd56.c6bxc67.Ka64.Nb4h25.Na6!bxa66.Kxa6h1Q7.b7#[diagram] 5.Na6! is the main idea and therefore the white knight must
reach b4, which explains why 2.Nc2! is the correct choce. Nice logic!1–0
1.Rf8+ Ke7 2.Bg5+ Kd6 3.Bd8 Qc2 If the queen stays on the a7-g1 diagonal, then Rf6+ followed by Bb6+ will win the queen.
3...Qg1 4.Rf6+ Kc5 5.Bb6+ Kb4 6.Bxg1
4.Rf6+ Kc5 5.Be7+ d6
5...Kd4 6.Rd6+ Kc5 7.Rd5#
6.Rxd6 b4
6...Kb4 7.Rxc6+
7.Rd5# (diagram) 1-0
The rook and bishop chase the black king until it can no longer escape.
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1.Rf8+Ke72.Bg5+Kd63.Bd8Qc2If the queen stays on the a7-g1 diagonal,
then Rf6+ followed by Bb6+ will win the queen3...Qg14.Rf6+Kc55.Bb6+Kb46.Bxg14.Rf6+Kc55.Be7+d65...Kd46.Rd6+Kc57.Rd5#6.Rxd6b46...Kb47.Rxc6+7.Rd5#[diagram] The rook and bishop chase the black king
until it can no longer escape.1–0
3.b6! closes the g1–a7 diagonal in advance, preparing the mate. A longer solution and managing without Pe4 would improve the study.
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1.Nf2+Kh22.Nh3f4!2...g1Q+3.Nxg1Kxg14.Rxc73.b6!3.Nxf4g1Q+4.b6Qxb6+3...cxb63...e34.bxc74.Nxf4g1Q5.Rh3#[diagram]
3.b6! closes the g1-a7 diagonal in advance, preparing the mate. A longer
solution and managing without Pe4 would improve the study.1–0
A rook sacrifice leads to a forced mate by the bishop pair. The quiet move 6.Kf6 is noteworthy. Starting the study with Rg3 on g2 and Kh4 on h3 would add the introductory moves 1.Rg3+ Kh4. Furthermore, moving Ba6 to c4 or b5 would eliminate the threat to the bishop, making the initial position more attractive.
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1.Rh3+Kxh32.Bf1+Kh43.Bf2+Kh54.Be2+Kh65.Be3+g56.Kf6Qc77.Bxg5#[diagram] A rook sacrifice leads to a forced mate by the bishop pair. 6.Kf6
is a good quiet move. Starting the study with Rg3 on g2 and Kh4 on h3 adds the
moves 1.Rg3+ Kh4. Moving Ba6 to c4 or b5 would remove the threat to the bishop,
making the initial position more attactive.1–0
1.e8N+ and 4.Rf5+! are nice moves. However, since every white move is a check, the play is one-sided.
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1.e8N+!1.e8Q?Ra3+2.Bb3Rxe81...Raxe81...Kf52.Nd6+Kf63.Rf7+Kg54.h4+Kh55.Rf5+g56.Bf7#2.Rf7+Kg53.h4+Kh54.Rf5+gxf54...g55.Bf7#5.Bf7#[diagram] 1.e8N+ and 4.Rf5+! are nice moves. Sinse
every white move is a check, the play is one sided.1–0
The results are in, and our tourney comes to a triumphant end! We will be in touch with the prize-winners soon. As we bid farewell to this tourney, we invite all participants to take their creative journey further by joining the 9th Youth Chess Composing Challenge (YCCC). The YCCC is an individual competition open to young composers (under 23) from all countries. Details to be found in this article!
Judge and mentor
World-renowned composer Gady Costeff will spearhead the tournament as judge and mentor. Got questions about composing or want feedback on your studies before you submit them? You can reach out to him directly at costeff@gmail.com.
Gady Costeff is mostly known for his studies—he has composed more than 80 of them—but as Eric Huber notes in his blog, he has also created problems jointly with other composers, particularly Ofer Comay and Paz Einat. No one is better suited or more qualified to guide newcomers in taking their first steps in the art of composition.
ChessBase IndiaChessBase India is currently the biggest chess news portal and chess software distributor in India. We have daily reports about tournaments in India, profiles of the best talents and information about players performing admirably at the international level. Our motto is “Powering Chess in India”. Apart from news, we provide all the services that are required to ease the life of a chess player.
4/2/2025 – For the second consecutive year, the University of Texas at Dallas will host the prestigious President's Cup, the most exclusive event in collegiate chess. Scheduled for 5-6 April 2025, the tournament will feature the top four teams from the Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championship, competing in a round-robin format. With a record number of grandmasters in the qualifying event, the level of competition is set to be exceptionally high. Matches will take place at UT Dallas’ McDermott Library Suite.
4/1/2025 – For decades we rigorously celebrated April Fool's day. But our pranks became progressively more difficult over the years. If we were able to construct a fake story, one that was genuinely funny, our friends at Google made it possible to check it in seconds. So we abandoned the tradition. Today, however, we present you with hoaxes and counterfeits in the history of chess. We had expert assistance in doing so.
On this 60 mins video we are going to concentrate on a simple, very solid idea in the main line Scandinavian, which even Magnus Carlsen has used to win games. Black focusses on making his life easy in the opening and forces White to work very hard to get advantage – but it is doubtful if White can get an advantage. Club players are always on the lookout for effective, time-saving solutions and here we have just that. Accompany FIDE Senior Trainer and IM Andrew Martin on this 60 mins video. You can learn a new opening system in 60 mins and start to play it with confidence on the very same day!
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This interactive video course of over 8 hours, provides an in-depth exploration of the Pirc Defence, a favoured opening for people looking to play for the win with the black pieces.
Pirc Defence Powerbase 2025 is a database and contains a total of 10027 games from Mega 2025 or the Correspondence Database 2024; of these 874 are annotated.
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