Hot Topics: chessbase magazine - page 1

Finding a way

1/21/2020 – Apparently simple pawn endings are often, in fact, surprisingly tricky. In the diagrammed position, is there a way for White to win convert his extra-pawn?

Epaulette Mate

1/17/2020 – In the diagram, after 21.Qh3! Rh8 there are still some power moves to find before the headline becomes a reality, but perhaps you can already outline the first contours. Enjoy!

Assault on the fianchetto: 3.h4!? against the Gruenfeld & Co

1/15/2020 – When top players try out a new opening idea, you will often find an article with analyses and recommendations in one of the next issues of ChessBase Magazine. In the current issue #193 GM Romain Edouard for example takes a closer look at Grischuk's 3.h4!? against Vachier-Lagrave's Gruenfeld. You'll find "fresh unexplored positions" like the aggressive 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4!? Enjoy!

Slalom

1/14/2020 – Stalemate can cause trouble. Black can win in the diagram, but not straightforwardly.

Aggressive idea against the Scandinavian with 3...Qd6

1/10/2020 – New opening ideas is one of the main topics of ChessBase Magazine. In this small series we want to present three selected articles from the current issue #193. It starts with GM Krisztian Szabo's aggressive recommendation against the Scandinavian with 3...Qd6. Szabo recommends 6.Ne5 and 7.f4! Have a look!

Finesse

1/10/2020 – Following 19.Bg5!? Be7 in the diagram position White has a clever way to maintain the initiative, based on his mighty queen f3. Can you find four stringent moves in a row?

An amazing knight

1/7/2020 – Sometimes knights appear slow and sluggish. But knights can also be nimble, swift and very versatile. To wit, see how this valiant steed in the diagram below does battle against a veritable hoard of black pawns.

Dubov's king chase

1/3/2020 – In the diagram position, Black must give his queen on e6 to stay in the game - instead, 29...Kc6? 30.Qf3+ Kb5 sends his king on a journey of no return. Happy hunting!

ChessBase Magazine: A gateway to chess improvement

1/2/2020 – ChessBase magazine is a great training tool, but a very important feature not to be overlooked in today's modern world is that it's a time-saver! Want to find the best endgames played in the last couple of months, or the latest opening novelties? It's all well packaged in one neat product, the latest ChessBase Magazine 193! Loads of videos cover the needs of those who are visual learners. Prolific reviewer DAVIDE NASTASIO (known by his students as Mr. Checkmate) gives us the details.

Passed pawns push ahead

12/31/2019 – Endgames with bishops of opposite-colour are often difficult to win. In the diagram position White is a pawn down but can still save the game.

Nice!

12/27/2019 – In the diagram position, White's retreat 30.Bf2! set the stage for the finale — and after 30...Qe7 you are invited to crown the game like the new U18 Girls World Champion Polina Shuvalova. Enjoy!

Not dim: a bishop on the rim

12/24/2019 – Endgames with bishops of the same colour are often a draw. Not as often as endgames with opposite-coloured bishops, but they are still difficult to win. In the diagram position White is a pawn down but can still save the game.

Nimzovich was right

12/20/2019 – White was well in control until of the game in the diagram position he decided to attack the rook c8 with 22.Bh3? Why did this backfire?