New: CBM Extra #231

by ChessBase
5/29/2026 – The new CBM Extra 231 features three repertoire ideas for 1.e4 players in video format: Nico Zwirs examines side lines in the Petroff that were tested at the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Robert Ris presents a concept against the popular 3...c5 in the Caro-Kann Advance Variation. And in the “Special”, Fiona Sieber presents a surprise weapon against the Najdorf in a short video series. Plus the “Lucky Bag” with 40 analyses by Surya Ganguly, Erwin l’Ami, Nikita Vitugov and many more. Tip: With a subscription, you pay just €9.17 per issue for CBM Extra (instead of €14.90 for a single issue)!
Videos: Nico Zwirs examines two Petroffs from the 2026 Candidates. Robert Ris has a tip against the Caro-Kann Advance Variation with 3…c5. Fiona Sieber reveals a surprise weapon against the Najdorf. ‘Lucky Bag’ with 40 analyses by Ganguly, L'Ami et al.
ChessBase Magazine Extra is the perfect complement to ChessBase Magazine. Available as a single issue or by subscription (6 issues per year). Available as a direct download.
Includes ‘ChessBase Book’ for iPad, tablet, Mac, etc.!

 

Opening videos

Nico Zwirs: The Petroff at the 2026 Candidates Tournament

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nd3/4.Nc4

Matthias Bluebaum relied on the Petroff with Black at the 2026 Candidates Tournament. On two occasions, his opponents deviated from the main line after 3.Nxe5 d6, placing the knight on unusual squares: Caruana chose 4.Nc4 and Praggnanandhaa went for 4.Nd3. In both games, White gained the upper hand. Nico Zwirs has taken a closer look at these encounters and, in his video, examines the advantages and disadvantages compared to the variations following the typical 4.Nf3.

Robert Ris: Caro-Kann Advance Variation

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Bb5

As a 1.e4 player – particularly in blitz or bullet games on the server – one is increasingly encountering the Caro-Kann Advance Variation with 3...c5. Normally, White continues with 4.dxc5, but in his video Robert Ris examines the sub-variation 4.c3. After 4...Nc6 5.Bb5 the starting position of his analysis is reached. The IM from the Netherlands examines all relevant responses by Black: 5…Bf5?, 5…e6, 5…Qb6, 5…cxd4 and the main line 5...Qa5. In his analysis, which lasts almost 40 minutes, Ris presents exciting and completely new ideas across many variations! And against the main line, he recommends 6.Ba4 cxd4 7.b4 Qb6 8.a3!? – a pawn sacrifice that promises excellent practical opportunities!

“Special”

Fiona Sieber: A surprise weapon against the Najdorf

In her video contribution, Fiona Sieber first looks back on her own practical experience with 6.Nb3 in the Najdorf Variation. Our author then provides an almost half-hour-long overview of the theory. She begins by examining the main line 6…Nc6 7.Be3 e6 8.g4 h6 9.Qe2 with the typical play on opposite flanks. The Grandmaster then takes a look at the various alternatives for Black on the sixth move, including 6…e6, 6…g6, 6…e5, 6…Nbd7 and 6…b5.

“Lucky Bag”: Analyses by Surya Ganguly, Erwin l’Ami, Nikita Vitugov and many more.

Extra #231 delivers 40 annotated games from a wide variety of tournaments in the “Lucky Bag”.

And the Update Service delivers over 50,000 new games for your database! Included are games from almost all the world’s top players.

The games in the Update Service are also included in the Mega Update Service 2026, which can be used with a topcal ChessBase program (and a corresponding subscription).

CBM #231 Extra as a ‘ChessBase Book’

As an alternative to downloading it for your ChessBase program, you can also load the new issue directly via your web browser.

Make yourself comfortable on your iPad or tablet and open the new issue as a ‘ChessBase Book’ (this also works on a PC, laptop or Mac, of course). All you need to do after purchasing the Extra is open the page

ChessBase Magazine Extra #231 - Books

and log in with your CB account! Enjoy!

Order now in the ChessBase Shop! - Single issue at 14,90 €

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for just 9.17 € per Extra issue (6 issues per year)
to ChessBase Magazine + Extra! 

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Topics: ChessBase Magazine, Erwin l'Ami, Fiona Sieber, Ganguly, Nico Zwirs, Robert Ris
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See also

New: CBM Extra #230

3/31/2026 – ChessBase Magazine Extra is the ideal complement to ChessBase Magazine. In the new Extra 230, you can look forward to opening videos on the Open Spanish (Sipke Ernst) and Classical Sicilian (Nico Zwirs), an Endgame Special by Igor Stohl: 'Short or long side' – where should the defending king go in rook endgames? Plus the 'Lucky bag' with 35 master analyses!
More...
 1

See also

"A Karpovian move"

3/16/2026 – In the current ChessBase Magazine #230, Nico Zwirs analyses the game between his compatriots Jorden Van Foreest and Anish Giri from the Tata Steel Masters 2026 in the video. The focus is on the opening, as Van Foreest had clearly prepared something special against the Najdorf Variation – known to be one of Giri's specialities. After 11...Qc7, he continued with 12.a3 – ‘A Karpovian move!’. White's idea is to move the b3 knight via c1 and a2 to b4 and from there to target the light squares d5 (and c6). Van Foreest thus invested four moves in improving his knight and securing his king's position. A new concept that paid off in full in this game! Take a look at this week's CBM reading sample!
More...
 2

Video

60m English Anti-Bayonet

King’s Indian fans who choose the Mar del Plata attack (7...Nc6) against White’s classical system (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0) usually aim for a complex position with mutual attacks on open wings, requiring long-term strategic planning and tactical sharpness in critical moments. Computers often do not know how to handle the arising complex strategic positions, which suits players who like to think on their own instead of memorizing long variations. However, the fashionable Bayonet Attack (9.b4) interferes with Black’s ideas. After Black’s main move 9...Nh5 the positions opens, the lines get forced and computer analysis is important again. But this DVD offers an antidote against White’s Bayonet Attack, namely 9...a5! This move leads to sound positions with very few concrete lines, in which the focus is on strategy not on tactics. Objectively chances are equal but if Black knows what to do things might quickly become dangerous for White.