12/8/2017 – Sometimes it is enough to make just one right decision in a position — afterwards the rest of game (almost) plays itself. In the diagram White intends 17.Nf3 followed by 18.Bg5. Which black continuation hits the bullseye now?

12/5/2017 – Of course, a rook is stronger than a bishop. This is one of the first things you learn in chess. But sometimes rooks are helpless against bishops. Particularly so if passed pawns join the game.

12/1/2017 – Holding a gun to your opponent's head can be a double-edged thing — set under pressure, some players start to display unforeseen creativity, like for example Black following 37.Rb7 in the diagram position. What followed?

11/30/2017 – A detailed review of our recent ChessBase Magazine from Prof. Nagesh Havanur. Among other things this issue includes all games from Sinquefield Cup, FIDE Grand Prix Geneva, Biel Festival and Dortmund FIDE Grand Prix Tournaments. The icing on the cake is the set of games from Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz event with Kasparov’s participation. Our reviewer re-examines two of his games and also sets up a little test for young readers from the Carlsen-Aronian encounter at Sinquefield Cup. 955 games (several annotated) with 12 opening surveys from Sicilian to Semi-Slav. Not to be missed.

11/29/2017 – Pawns are not particularly mobile: on the first move they can take two steps, after that only one. They know only one direction unless they capture enemy pawns or pieces. But sometimes the pawns are invisibly — and powerfully — connected.

11/28/2017 – The attacked white knight c3 in the diagram must withdraw, but in view of Black's lurking bishops not all retreat squares are equally good. 25.Ne2 or 25.Nd1 — what would be your candidate?

11/21/2017 – Usually it is good and fun to snatch the pawns of the opponent in an endgame. But sometimes the pawns of your opponents are your biggest help. Then you should think twice before snatching them!

11/17/2017 – It's a well-known scenario: you think you made the time control but you are not quite sure, and therefore you quickly make one more 'neutral' move to be on the safe side. But that is often easier said than done. The diagram position is one example how difficult it is to play it safe: How does White keep the balance, with 41.Kg2 or 41.h4?

11/15/2017 – Passed pawns often lead to exciting tactics. They invite sacrifices and can lead to mating attacks that have to be calculated carefully. But sometimes the tactical possibilities are even more sophisticated.

11/10/2017 – Some pieces spend the biggest part of a game asleep. Never mind — as long as they hear their wake-up call to spring into action! What do you suggest for White in the diagram position?

11/7/2017 – Opposite-coloured bishops are a paradox. In the middlegame they favour the attacker. In the endgame they favour the defender. In fact, some endgames with opposite-coloured bishops are drawn even if one side is two pawns up. But they don't draw themselves! You still have work to do.

11/3/2017 – Friday Tactic: Following ...Qxa1 in the diagram position, White hopes to catch the opponent's queen with Bb2 and then start playing with his bishop pair. But Black has a way to thwart this. Can you see how?

10/31/2017 – Bishops like to have free diagonals, pawns like to be protected. However, sometimes it is difficult to combine both. But you should know what is more important.

10/27/2017 – Black has just transferred his queen to the kingside with 18...Qa5-h5 (diagram), planning after 19.g4 Qg6 to challenge the mighty white queen e4. Will he get away with this manoeuvre — or has he built on sand?

10/24/2017 – Rooks are strong but passed pawns are also strong, particularly in the endgame. But who is stronger — the rook or the passed pawns? It depends!

10/20/2017 – White's activity is impressive, but she must not hesitate and allow her opponent to block the long diagonal with ...Nd4. Five times the very best and the case is closed. Can you see everything until the end?

10/17/2017 – "Knight endings are like pawn endings." That is easily said and often true. However, there is one important difference one should not forget: the knight can sacrifice itself! An endgame lesson from Karsten Müller.

10/17/2017 – A detailed review from Prof. Nagesh Havanur. Among other things this issue includes all games from super tournaments, Altibox Norway Chess and FIDE Grand Prix tournaments with winners, Levon Aronian and Ding Liren annotating decisive battles. Our reviewer re-examines the Aronian-Carlsen encounter and also sets up a little test for young readers. The magazine offers a bonanza for lovers of rapid play. There are games from Norway, Paris and Leuven blitz events. 1968 games with 11 opening surveys from Spanish to Semi-Slav. Not to be missed.

10/13/2017 – Due to his confined king, Black must be very careful when taking on e5 in the diagram position. The game continuation 33...Rxe5? loses by force. Can you prove the win for White after that?

10/9/2017 – If they come in pairs bishops can be very strong. But sometimes even a single bishop is strong enough to control the whole board. This edition of Karsten Müller's endgame column looks at what happens when the bishops face off against a rook.

10/6/2017 – After 32.Rg3 (diagram) White's second rook has targeted an enemy knight. Not looking good for Black, right? But he still has an ace up his sleeve: 32...Rxf1+ 33.Kxf1 Ra8 with the threat 34...Ra1+! You are not going to change fronts now, are you?

10/3/2017 – Rooks should go behind passed pawns! In rook endings this is a popular and helpful rule of thumb. After all, in most cases this is indeed where the rook should go. But unfortunately - or fortunately - there are exceptions.

9/29/2017 – Following 24.e5 Bc5+ 25.Kh1 in the diagram, the draught in White's king position becomes a hurricane. Black wins on the spot. Can you see how — or maybe even remember this spectacular game played 25 years ago?

9/26/2017 – Knights surprise again and again. One single knight can frighten king, queen and rooks of your opponent (or yourself) or block strong and dangerous passed pawns. But sometimes knights are helpless against a single pawn that wants to queen. No wonder that knight endings are full of tactical tricks.