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Opening Encyclopedia 2026
The Opening Encyclopedia 2026 is the most comprehensive and up-to-date digital collection of modern opening theory. It includes 1,586 theoretical databases, more than 40,000 illustrative games, 8,200 opening surveys, and 100 videos with a total running time of 35 hours, among many other features. In addition to classical main lines, it also covers new ideas and less common sidelines.
With its unique combination of database, explanations, and training material, the work is suitable both for targeted preparation and for the systematic development of one’s own repertoire.
Fritz Powerbook 2026
The Fritz Powerbook 2026 contains more than 25 million opening positions drawn from 1.7 million top-level tournament games. For each position, all moves played are recorded, along with their success rates and the average Elo of the players. The Fritz Powerbook 2026 thus represents the current state of opening theory in a single database.
With it, your Fritz becomes a true opening expert, providing guidance in every position. Discover the most promising lines and practice your openings by playing against Fritz. New: the Powerbook 2026 is based not only on the highest-quality games from the new Mega Database 2026, but also on the strongest 100,000 games from the Correspondence Chess Database 2026.
ChessBase Magazine Extra #230
This issue supplements the regular magazine with compact training material focused on practical play. It includes several opening videos, among them content on Sicilian structures and other current systems, as well as an endgame section with concrete questions.
The centerpiece is the so-called “lucky bag,” featuring numerous annotated master games from various tournaments. In addition, an extensive update service provides new games for your database. The format offers a dense collection of up-to-date material for continuous training.
The Vienna Game – Dynamic, Flexible and Deeply Underestimated
Andrew Martin’s course on the Vienna Game explores an often underestimated opening that stands out for its flexibility and dynamic potential. In addition to fundamental setup ideas, it presents various systems and transpositions into different types of middlegames.
The author offers a versatile repertoire with both positional and tactical options that pose practical problems for opponents. The Vienna Game thus becomes an attractive option for ambitious players.
:Free reading samples
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 – Martin vs Adams
Mastering the London System
Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz’s video course is dedicated to the classical London System and explores its strategic and dynamic possibilities. In addition to a systematic treatment of Black’s main responses, it explains typical structures, plans, and tactical motifs.
A comparison with the Neo-London complements the repertoire, creating a modern overall approach. The focus is clearly on practical understanding, making the system flexible for tournament play and a solid foundation for players of different levels.
:Free reading samples
A Surprise Weapon vs. Open Sicilian –
in 60 minutes
This 60 Minutes course by Adrian Mikhalchishin presents a targeted repertoire idea against the Open Sicilian. The focus is on an approach with 4.Qxd4 and 6.Qd3, designed to rely on surprise value and practical handling rather than heavy theory.
Typical middlegame structures, critical lines, and tactical motifs are covered in a compact format. The concept is aimed at players who want to use a less familiar yet reliable alternative against established Sicilian systems.
:Free reading samples
6...Nf6 7.Bg5 Ng4 - Grischuk vs Gelfand
The Catalan Under Fire: The 5…c6 Approach –
in 60 minutes
Nico Zwirs presents a combative concept against the Catalan, based on an early pawn grab followed by its defense with …c6 and …b5. The starting point is the position after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4, with particular focus on the continuations 5.Bg2 c6 6.a4, 6.0-0, and 6.Ne5, all of which are analyzed systematically.
Zwirs illustrates ideas such as piece sacrifices on a8 and active flank play. The line has also become established in grandmaster practice and serves as a surprising weapon for playing for a win.
:Free reading samples
Mastering the French Advance Main Line –
in 60 minutes
Grandmaster Jan Werle develops a modern White repertoire in the Advance Variation of the French Defence after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3. The focus is on the critical replies 5…Bd7 and 5…Qb6, against which concrete plans and improvements are presented. Typical motifs include maneuvers such as Na3–b5 or Nc2–d4, central pawn breaks, and coordinated kingside attacks.
Using practical examples, Werle shows how to exploit structural weaknesses and build up the initiative. The concept combines up-to-date theory with clear attacking plans and offers a reliable option for ambitious tournament play.
:Free reading samples
Sidelines, Tactics and Endgame Edges
The Surprising Carlsbad 5.Lf4 –
in 60 minutes
In this compact training course, Dutch IM Nico Zwirs presents a relatively rare but strategically interesting line in the Carlsbad structure. The focus is on the move 5.Bf4, which opens up new plans and subtly alters typical structures.
Using selected example games, Zwirs explains key ideas, tactical motifs, and strategic guidelines. The presentation aims to provide a surprising yet solid repertoire option that can be integrated into practical play with manageable effort.
:Free reading sample
New releases of the previous months:
Free January course by Robert Ris
Free December course by Robert Ris
Steinitz: Father of the Modern School
Review: 60 Minutes against Caro-Kann
Peter Balint succeeds thanks to Felix Blohberger's course on the Reti
Karsten Müller at ChessBase
Ivan Sokolov at ChessBase
Review: "Outsmarting the London System – 60 minutes" by IM Andrew Martin
Review: "The Art of Sacrificing" by Krishnan Sasikiran
Review: "The Colle System"
Review: "Reinventing the Ragozin" by Surya Ganguly
Review: David Navara – Your Calculation Compass: Know When to Calculate
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