12/9/2024 – Ding Liren delivered a stunning performance in game 12 of the World Chess Championship match in Singapore, levelling the score at 6-6 against Gukesh D with two classical games remaining. The reigning champion, who described the victory as "the best game I have played in recent times", showed impeccable strategic prowess to outmanoeuvre his younger rival in 39 moves. Both players now face immense pressure as they battle for the ultimate chess crown. | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
new: ChessBase Magazine 225
Chess Festival Prague 2025 with analyses by Aravindh, Giri, Gurel, Navara and others. ‘Special’: 27 highly entertaining miniatures. Opening videos by Werle, King and Ris. 10 opening articles with new repertoire ideas and much more. ChessBase Magazine offers first-class training material for club players and professionals! World-class players analyse their brilliant games and explain the ideas behind the moves. Opening specialists present the latest trends in opening theory and exciting ideas for your repertoire. Master trainers in tactics, strategy and endgames show you the tricks and techniques you need to be a successful tournament player! Available as a direct download (incl. booklet as pdf file) or booklet with download key by post. Included in delivery: ChessBase Magazine #225 as “ChessBase Book” for iPad, tablet, Mac etc.!
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
2025 European Championship with a German double victory and analyses by Bluebaum, Svane, Rodshtein, Yuffa, Navara and many more. Opening videos by Engel, King and Marin. Training sections “The Fortress”, “The Trap” and “Fundamental Endgame Knowledge" etc.
€21.90
File name: "Strike back!"
Find below expert video analyses by GM Daniel King and IM Robert Ris
For the second consecutive World Championship match, Ding Liren has levelled the score in game 12. Last year, he mounted a comeback against Ian Nepomniachtchi after trailing in game 7. This time, Ding bounced back right after his defeat in game 11 against Gukesh D. The world champion demonstrated poise under pressure, delivering a resounding victory. Despite past struggles with mental health, Ding's temperament shone through, as he kept his title defence alive with two classical games remaining.
The game, lasting 39 moves, saw Ding dominate once he seized the initiative, leaving Gukesh with little room for counterplay. Visibly pleased after his win, Ding remarked in the post-game press conference:
It's maybe the best game I have played in recent times.
With two classical games left, the match remains balanced at 6-6. Should the score remain tied, rapid tiebreakers on Friday will decide the champion. Many consider Ding a slight favourite in faster time controls, though the challenge posed by a highly motivated Gukesh cannot be underestimated.
Ding's success was largely attributed to his strategic mastery in the opening. Although Gukesh managed to surprise his opponent, Ding's choice to steer the game into positional waters paid dividends. In a fascinating detail, Ding revealed that his second, Richard Rapport, had sent him a file titled 'Strike back!' before the game, setting the tone for a confident performance.
A critical turning point came on move 10 when Gukesh, despite having a lead on the clock, played 10...h6
Ding described the move as "too slow" and capitalised by executing a series of subtle yet powerful moves. Gukesh later admitted he felt in deep trouble by move 17 after Ding's 17.Qd2, as the Chinese grandmaster expertly seized control of the board.
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.
Game 12 in progress | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
As the game progressed, Ding continued to make precise manoeuvres that left Gukesh struggling to find counterplay. Although Gukesh avoided outright blunders, his 22...Bg5 (instead of the preferable 22...Na5) allowed Ding to strengthen his positional grip with 23.Nf4
The reigning champion built his advantage steadily, leaving his opponent with no viable responses.
By move 29, both players were under 10 minutes on the clock, but Ding already had a decisive edge. Unwavering in his technique, Ding brought the game to a stylish conclusion, with the final blow delivered via 39.Rxg7+, prompting Gukesh's resignation.
After the game, Gukesh maintained composure, stating:
Today was obviously a bad game, but I wouldn't draw too much from it. Bad games happen. [...] 6-6 is overall the fair result, but since I was leading after yesterday, it is a bit disappointing to lose this game.
With the final rest day scheduled for Tuesday, the players will resume their battle on Wednesday, with the tension at its peak.
Gukesh D, the youngest-ever challenger for the world crown | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
This course will enhance your understanding of the King’s Indian Defence. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their opening strategy, reduce mistakes, and develop a winning game plan.
Richard Rapport and Ni Hua, part of Ding Liren's team | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
Ding 1 - 0 Gukesh
Analysis by André Schulz
A smiling Ding Liren during the press conference | Photo: FIDE / Eng Chin An
Looking for a realistic way to play for a win with Black against 1.e4 without taking unnecessary risks? The Taimanov Sicilian is a reliable system, and hence one of the best options out there!
Carlos Alberto ColodroCarlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
In this course, you’ll learn how to take the initiative against the London and prevent White from comfortably playing their usual system by playing 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 Nh5.
London System Powerbase 2026 is a database and contains in all 11 285 games from Mega 2026 and the Correspondence Database 2026, of which 282 are annotated.
The London System Powerbook 2026 is based on more than 410 000 games or game fragments from different opening moves and ECO codes; what they all have in common is that White plays d4 and Bf4 but does not play c4.
In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
Opening videos: Open Spanish (Sipke Ernst) and Classical Sicilian (Nico Zwirs). Endgame Special by Igor Stohl: ‘Short or long side’ – where should the defending king be placed in rook endgames? ‘Lucky bag’ with 35 master analyses.
YOUR EASY ACCESS TO OPENING THEORY: Whether you want to build up a reliable and powerful opening repertoire or find new opening ideas for your existing repertoire, the Opening Encyclopaedia covers the entire opening theory on one product.
The Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation with 5.Bf4 has a great balance between positional play and sharp pawn pushes; and will be a surprise for your opponents while being easy to learn for you, as the key patterns are familiar.
€9.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.
