3/1/2026 – Is calculation becoming a strength that turns into a weakness? In this opinion piece, Ravi Abhyankar explores the delicate balance between calculation and instinct in modern chess. Can today’s elite players afford to rely only on deep calculation and ignore speed? Why does blitz matter so much for a classical World Champion today? By blending data, history, and modern realities, the article explains what dominance means in modern chess. | Photo: Grand Chess Tour / Lennart Ootes

2/20/2026 – Are the Candidates and World Championship time controls stuck in the past? Players are still facing brutal time scrambles that hurt the quality of chess we love to watch. Why does the increment start at move 41 for some, but from move one in others? Is tradition really helping, or just stressing players unnecessarily? Ravi Abhyankar dives into why FIDE’s current system feels arbitrary and offers a smarter, simpler solution. If you are interested in how time controls shape elite chess, this article offers a thoughtful perspective. | Photo: Wikipedia

2/19/2026 – Following a review of applications, a panel appointed by the FIDE Council has selected seventeen players, coaches and organisers for inclusion in the 2026 support programme for chess veterans. A total of €37,000 will be distributed among the beneficiaries. Since its launch twelve years ago, the programme has provided nearly €500,000 in assistance, recognising long-standing contributions to the game through individual profiles and career summaries.

2/4/2026 – FIDE traces the history of the Candidates Tournament, the event that determines who earns the right to challenge for the world chess title. Established in 1950 to replace earlier informal arrangements, the Candidates has evolved through different formats and eras, reflecting changes in the championship cycle. From Budapest to recent editions in major cities, the tournament has remained the decisive stage in the path to a world title match, with Cyprus set to host the next chapter. | Image: FIDE

2/3/2026 – MegaBase 2026 is Chess History in action. Regularly updated every month, the Main Database currently offers 11.8 million games, many of them annotated. Here our columnist offers a review with focus on chess in the 21st Century.

1/22/2026 – Song Yuxin's 2025 season marked a decisive step forward in her career. Focusing exclusively on classical chess, this analysis looks at how a heavy tournament schedule, largely centred on open events, translated into a major rating climb, a rise from the fringes of the top 100 to the women's top 25, and a strong finish to her final year as a junior. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

1/13/2026 – Javokhir Sindarov's 2025 season marked a turning point in his career. Focusing exclusively on classical chess, this analysis examines how the young Uzbek combined a selective tournament schedule with exceptional results in high-pressure events, culminating in victory at the FIDE World Cup and qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, despite a relatively modest rating climb compared with some of his contemporaries. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

12/22/2025 – As the World Rapid and Blitz Championships approach, Doha will host the leading figures of women's chess alongside the wider elite. From established world champions to Grand Prix winners and fast-time-control specialists, the women's field reflects both depth and continuity at the top of the game. This article outlines the key contenders arriving in Qatar, tracing recent results, rivalries and form, and setting the context for how women's chess has developed ahead of one of the season's flagship events. | All photos: FIDE

11/21/2025 – The World Cup began on 30 October in Goa, India. Two hundred and six players entered the tournament; three weeks later, only four remain and will now meet in the semifinals. China’s Wei Yi faces the Russian GM Andrey Esipenko, while Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan takes on his compatriot Nodirbek Yakubboev. The top three finishers qualify for the Candidates Tournament. The winner earns 120,000 USD, the fourth-placed player 50,000. But who has the best chances of winning the event — and securing a spot in the Candidates? | Photos: Michal Walusza

11/19/2025 – The paings of the semifinals at the FIDE World Cup in Goa were set on Wednesday after a tense day of rapid and blitz tiebreaks. Wei Yi, Andrey Esipenko and Javokhir Sindarov joined early qualifier Nodirbek Yakubboev in the final four, with all three earning their spots through hard-fought matches. A couple of comebacks, missed chances and dramatic momentum shifts shaped the day, leaving four players still in the race for three coveted places in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. | Photo: Michal Walusza

11/13/2025 – Thursday's tiebreakers at the FIDE World Cup in Goa saw several high seeds eliminated, including Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Vincent Keymer and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who were knocked out by Daniil Dubov (pictured), Andrey Esipenko and Aleksey Grebnev respectively. Six lower-rated players advanced overall, while five favourites held firm to reach the round of 16. With only five players from the top 20 still in contention and eight national federations represented, the field has tightened considerably as the Candidates race enters its decisive phase. | Photo: Michal Walusza

11/8/2025 – Saturday brought major drama at the FIDE World Cup in Goa, as four of the top ten seeds were eliminated. Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, Anish Giri, Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov all exited the competition, falling to Frederik Svane, Alexander Donchenko, Jose Martinez and Nils Grandelius. With 15 decisive games in total, the knockout format once again delivered intense battles. | Photo: Michal Walusza

11/6/2025 – The first major upsets of the 2025 FIDE World Cup occurred on Wednesday in Goa, as three players rated over 2700 were eliminated from the competition. Wesley So, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Aravindh Chithambaram were all knocked out by lower-seeded opponents - Titas Stremavicius, Diptayan Ghosh and Karthik Venkataraman, respectively. With 37 matches already decided, the remaining 27 will be settled in Thursday’s tiebreaks, promising a tense conclusion to round two. | Photo: Michal Walusza

10/6/2025 – The round-one pairings for the 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa, India have been unveiled, setting the stage for an intense start to chess' most prestigious knockout event. From 30 October to 27 November, 206 players will compete for a $2 million prize fund and three coveted Candidates spots. With wildcards including Abhimanyu Mishra, Andy Woodward, Faustino Oro, Divya Deshmukh and world rapid champion Volodar Murzin, the opening battles promise plenty of intrigue.

8/31/2025 – The FIDE Grand Swiss, one of the most competitive events in the chess calendar, has been held three times so far, each edition producing distinct winners in both the open and women's sections. In the open, the champions were Wang Hao, Alireza Firouzja and Vidit Gujrathi. The women's tournaments, introduced in 2021, saw victories for Lei Tingjie and Vaishali Rameshbabu. The much anticipated 2025 edition is scheduled to begin on Thursday, 4 September. | Photo: Anna Shtourman / FIDE Grand Swiss 2023

7/11/2025 – The 58th Biel Chess Festival, running from 12 to 25 July, offers a global celebration of chess with 16 tournaments spanning classical, rapid and blitz formats. With participants from 45 countries and events welcoming players of all backgrounds and abilities, the festival blends elite competition with cultural exchange. Highlights include the unique chess triathlons (Masters and Challengers), a Freestyle Chess tiebreaker and inspiring exhibitions tied to FIDE's Year of Social Chess.

7/6/2025 – The Women's World Cup was officially opened in Batumi with a gala evening of traditional Georgian music, dance and historical tributes to women's chess. Held at the Batumi Drama Theatre, the ceremony welcomed 107 players from 46 countries and featured speeches from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Georgian Chess Federation President Akaki Iashvili. The event highlighted Georgia's deep-rooted chess heritage and set the tone for the competition ahead. | Photos: Polina Bovina

7/4/2025 – From 5 to 16 July, the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup will take place in Batumi, Georgia, a country with a proud tradition of excellence in women's chess. Hosted at the Grand Bellagio Hotel, the 107-player knockout tournament offers a $691,250 prize fund and three spots in the 2026 Candidates. With many of the world's top female players competing, Batumi promises high-stakes action in one of the calendar's most prestigious events.

6/23/2025 – FIDE’s latest transfer list reveals that several strong players have changed federations. The most prominent of them is Gata Kamsky (pictured) who is moving to France after decades of membership in the US Chess Federation. Olga Badelka is transferring to the Austrian Chess Federation, and Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova is returning to the Uzbek Chess Federation. | Photo: John Saunders

5/18/2025 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books on chess training and strategy. In episode 230 of his "Understanding before Moving" show Herman looks at the many achievements of Anish Giri. | Photo: Pascal Simon

5/7/2025 – The European edition of the political news magazine Politico published an article on its website about Russia's influence on the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and how Russia is exploiting chess and the World Chess Federation for its own political ends. | Graphics: POLITICO

4/26/2025 – With three out of eight events completed, the race for a spot in the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament is intensifying. Ju Wenjun leads the standings with 86.5 points, closely followed by Humpy Koneru on 84, after strong performances in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Former champions and rising stars, including Tan Zhongyi, Kateryna Lagno and Afruza Khamdamova, remain in contention. The series resumes in May with the final Women's Grand Prix leg in Austria, keeping qualification hopes alive for seventeen players.

4/22/2025 – I have told the story often: in an interview in 2020 I said that in five years I expected at least two of the top ten players in the world would be Indian. My prediction was met with deep scepticism. It was clearly the unrealistic optimism of a friend and admirer of young Indian talents. It is true I was wrong. In five years since the prediction three have risen into the top ten bracket, and a fourth is on his way into it.

4/16/2025 – In a very one-sided match, Ju Wenjun defended her title as women's world champion against Tan Zhongyi. Although the challenger took the lead in the second game, she suffered four consecutive defeats from the fifth game onwards. A draw in the ninth game today was enough for Ju Wenjun to win the match - played to the best of twelve games - early and defend her title. | Photo: Anna Shtourman