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When a retreat is the best way to advance

12/1/2020 – Pawn endings often require knowledge and precise calculation. And sometimes a (temporary) retreat is the best (and only) way to make progress.
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Attacking with a calm mind

11/27/2020 – In the diagram position, White had just played 32.Qd4+, after which Black decided to take the pawn on g6 and played 32...Kxg6??. However, that was a mistake which allowed White to unleash a powerful mating attack. How did White continue after 32...Kxg6?? - and can you calculate the lines in your head?

When a retreat is the best way to advance

11/24/2020 – Some endings are simple: you have a passed pawn that wants to push ahead and therefore your king also pushes ahead to support the pawn or enter the enemy's camp. But things are rarely that easy. In the diagram position White's pawn wants to push ahead and White's king can also push ahead to support his own pawn or to attack the black pawns on the queenside. But is that really the way to save the draw?

Calm and powerful

11/20/2020 – Objectively, the diagram position in which Black is to move, might be equal but it is certainly tricky and complicated. Therefore, Black should find a good and powerful move - Richard Rapport was up to the task. How about you?

King's slalom

11/17/2020 – Connected passed pawns can be very dangerous - in the middlegame but of course also in the endgame. However, as dangerous as connected passed pawns may be, sometimes they need a little help from their king. Do you see how the white king can effectively support his pawns in the diagram position?

CBM 197: Opening preparation

11/15/2020 – ChessBase Magazine offers a window to the world of professional chess and it also provides arsenal for the tournament player. We are pleased to inform readers that we have just released CBM #198. Meanwhile, we have received an article on the treatment of openings by Prof. Nagesh Havanur. As this may be of practical use to young players, we are offering it to our readers. | Pictured: Richard Rapport | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

With minimal means

11/13/2020 – In the diagram position, Black can use mate motifs to achieve perfect coordination of his few remaining pieces. Spot Black's three power moves - and leave White no chance!

White gambits versus the Benko!

11/12/2020 – The Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5) may be a rare guest an top-level chess but at amateur and club level, the pawn sacrifice continues to be popular. In fact, many 1.d4 players lack a clear concept against the dangerous gambit. In the new ChessBase Magazine #198 IM Christian Braun suggests to simply turn the tables and to offer the Benko player a few sharp gambits, which he should think about twice before accepting them!
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Rook endings: Often drawn but hardly ever simple

11/10/2020 – Rook endings have drawish tendencies and often being one or even two pawns up is not enough to win. However, rook endings are also complicated enough to offer both sides a lot of opportunities to go wrong and good chances to win or draw if the opponent does not find the best moves.

Rook invaders

11/6/2020 – In the diagram position White can win with the line opener 37.f5!. However, after Black's answer 37...gxf5 White has to avoid one last pitfall. Which he can do if he follows the motto: keep calm!

New in ChessBase Magazine: "All in One"

11/5/2020 – The new issue #198 (November/December) of the ChessBase Magazine introduces a new column: "All in One". An expert will show you ideas and current trends of a modern opening line by analysing a single game in depth. The analysis is deep and comprehensive and will give you a solid basis to try the line in practice!
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The mighty bishop

11/3/2020 – Rooks are of course stronger than bishops, and there is a reason why giving up a rook for a bishop is called exchange "sacrifice". But of course there are many positions in which a rook is not stronger than a bishop. In the middlegame and in the endgame. The diagram shows one example. Can you find way to save the position for Black?

Kasparov's bishop pair

11/2/2020 – Variety is the spice of life, and the new ChessBase Magazine #198 entertains with two more "Specials": Anish Giri starts his new column "All in One" (more information to come soon), and the training columns focus on "Kasparov as a challenger". Enjoy one example: Karsten Müller's article "The role of the bishop pair on Kasparov's way to the first WCh match".
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