.jpeg)
With ChessBase Magazine #232, the editorial team has once again produced an issue that impresses from the first page to the last.
I was particularly curious about the coverage of the Sigeman Tournament in Malmö. Magnus Carlsen’s return to classical tournament chess alone gives the event a special appeal. The fact that his games are annotated by his long-time second Peter Heine Nielsen and Andy Woodward makes them a real treat. You learn not only what was played, but above all why. For me, precisely these behind-the-scenes insights are among the greatest strengths of ChessBase Magazine.
Openings
The openings section also remains one of the magazine’s real strengths. Instead of dry variation trees, the authors present up-to-date ideas through high-quality tournament games, always with an eye to their practical application. Whether it is IM Zwirs on the Orthodox Queen’s Gambit, GM Blohberger’s analysis of the Antoshin Variation in the Philidor Defence, GM Daniel King’s suggestions against the Evans Gambit or the many other contributions, the range is broad and offers interesting ideas for almost every repertoire.
See for yourself:
After reading these articles, you can hardly wait to try out the new ideas in your next blitz game – it’s hard to think of a better compliment for an opening article.
Sindarov Special
Another highlight is the Sindarov Special. A selection of 22 games traces the development of one of the most exciting young players of recent years, step by step. Features like this do more than convey knowledge; they also give each issue its own distinctive character.
The regular columns are as good as ever. IM Reeh’s practical tips for tactics training, GM Markos’ contributions, Rogozenco’s reliably instructive endgame column – this time on “Knight versus Rook and Pawn” – and the interactive “Move by Move” format all invite the reader to become active.
Martin Breutigam uses the game Suyarov – Svane (2026) to demonstrate impressively how to play for a win with the black pieces. Robert Ris analyses Ljepic – Guijarro (European Championship 2026), a thrilling attacking game that will linger long in the memory. Together with the numerous exercises on tactics, strategy and endgames, this provides a wealth of training material that goes far beyond the scope of a traditional chess magazine.
ChessBase Magazine also keeps pace with the latest digital developments. All content is available both for installation under Windows and as a ChessBase Book for macOS, tablets or iPads. The PDF magazine, which has become particularly well designed, also deserves special mention. Its 52 pages provide a clear introduction to the download and Book versions, while also including selected analyses and theoretical articles in full. The modern layout makes for pleasant reading and rounds off the excellent overall impression of this issue.
Conclusion
ChessBase Magazine #232 combines top-class chess content with practical value and an attractive presentation. Anyone interested in current games from top-level chess, well-founded opening theory and varied training will find a complete package that informs, inspires and motivates in equal measure. After reading it, one thing remains above all: the desire to play a few games yourself.
| Advertising |
