This episode trains you to think more creatively by first testing obvious ideas, understanding precisely why they fail, and then searching for a small adjustment that removes the opponent’s defensive resource. Through tactical and endgame examples, Svitlana shows that imagination isn’t about random brilliance, but about spotting loose pieces, hidden interference ideas, and unexpected candidate […]
Monthly Archives: February 2026
On Sunday KCF Academy subscribers will have the chance to meet Evgenij Miroshnichenko, one of the most analytically sharp and pedagogically gifted chess minds in the game today, during a live, interactive Sunday session. Mark your calendar: 17:00 CET, March 1, 2026.
Round three of the Challengers tournament at the Prague Chess Festival featured five decisive games. Vaclav Finek, aged 16, took over as sole leader after defeating former pace-setter Stepan Hrbek, while four players now make up the chasing group a half point back. Besides Finek, Jonas Buhl Bjerre, Jachym Nemec, Daniil Yuffa and Zhu Jiner […]
Chris Ward flips the usual “Monthly Dragon” perspective by studying why White wins against the Sicilian Dragon, using the classic Karpov–Korchnoi game to highlight recurring mating themes. He then shows how those same ideas transfer across openings and how he used the lessons in his own games to punish opponents who weren’t aware of the […]
Round one of the Masters in Prague produced four wins and one draw. In round two things proceeded at a more leisurely pace with three draws and two wins. But the decisive games were interesting. David Anton (pictured) had an inferior position out of the opening against Jorden Van Foreest, but then won in 27 […]
After four rounds of the Saint Louis Masters, three players share the lead on 3½/4, with Fabiano Caruana joined by Vasif Durarbayli (pictured) and Lorenzo Lodici at the top of the standings. Caruana is set to take a half-point bye in round five, while Lodici will have the white pieces against Durarbayli in the clash […]
Mahammad Muradli and Ulviyya Fataliyeva have been crowned champions at the Azerbaijan Chess Championships, held in Baku from 6 to 22 February. Muradli secured his third national title by defeating Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in the open final, while Ulviyya Fataliyeva claimed her first women’s crown after a tiebreak victory over Ayan Allahverdiyeva. | Photo: Azerbaijani Chess […]
Vincent Keymer had a rough start at the Prague Chess Festival, losing with back to Jorden van Foreest. After a botched opening, he missed a hidden counterblow that could have turned the game around. This game was only one of many interesting battles at the opening round in the Prague Masters, as all five games […]
The Saint Louis Masters opened with a high proportion of decisive results across the first two rounds. Six players, including Fabiano Caruana, moved into an early share of the lead on a perfect score, while several lower-seeded competitors recorded notable results. A large chasing group sits close behind on 1½ points, which includes Rose Atwell […]
From 21 to 29 September 2026, a group tour to Uzbekistan will combine cultural exploration with top-level chess. The journey includes visits to Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent, coinciding with the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. Alongside attending the Olympiad, participants will take part in special chess events and training sessions, while discovering the architectural and historical […]