It was just a few weeks ago that Markus Ragger published a complete repertoire on two FritzTrainers for his favourite opening against 1.d4: the Gruenfeld Defence. In the new ChessBase Magazine #205 he provides an update on the variation with 5.Bd2, since the new idea of 5…c5 has recently proved very attractive at the highest […]
Monthly Archives: December 2021
One of the most anticipated events in the chess calendar, the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship, is taking place on December 25-31 in Warsaw, Poland, at the PGE Narodowy Stadium. Follow the games live with expert commentary starting at 15.00 CET (9.00 ET, 19.30 IST). | Photo: European Chess Union
In November we launched a new edition of our flagship program, Fritz. Version 18 has a special mode in which Fritz allows its opponent to actually win games, if he is able to find clever moves. Many amateurs and club players have sent in games that they won with brilliant ideas. But how about grandmasters? […]
One of the most anticipated events in the chess calendar, the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship, is around the corner. The open and women’s championships that have been held concurrently since 2016 will take place on December 25-31 in Warsaw, Poland, at the PGE Narodowy Stadium. | Pictured: Alireza Firouzja facing Hikaru Nakamura at […]
The Serbian name “Darko” comes from “Dar” for “gift”. Good wishes are bestowed often upon our children, be it luck with the Biblical name “The son of luck” or “Benjamin”, or in this case, the gift of being gifted. A special gift indeed was given to Darko Hlebec, an interesting composing style. Study specialist Siegfried […]
A few weeks ago we announced a Brilliancy Challenge: send us brilliant games you have recently played and compete for some valuable prizes. Here’s a festive example: Andreas Krentel, a physiotherapist, used to play in a chess club 15 years ago. He was looking for an opponent to test his wits against. Suddenly he found […]
Part of the attraction of the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit” is the design: costumes, buildings and music evoke the 1960s, the time in which the series is set. In a crucial scene of the series the Dutch band Shocking Blue provides the background music. Shocking Blue, founded in 1967, might not be as famous […]
ChessBase wishes all chess friends and readers a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! | Photo: Pixabay
The eighth edition of the strong Open in Sitges was a thrilling tournament throughout, but it offered an extra dose of excitement on the final day of play. Four players finished with 8 points at the top of the standings table, and a knockout was organized to decide the winner. Dimitrij Kollars reached the final, […]
“The Queen’s Gambit” is one of the most successful Netflix series and will remain one of the best representations of chess in film. The series contains many impressive and powerful scenes, e.g. the depiction of a tournament in fast-forward mode, fittingly accompanied by the famous instrumental musical piece “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams.

