Monthly Archives: April 2026

Top tens in the Chessmetrics list

“I was intrigued to see the list of the youngest players to reach the top ten,” said chess statistician Jeff Sonas. “As the article states, my monthly Chessmetrics historical ratings are indeed unofficial, but being able to look further back, more than a century before FIDE Elo ratings started, certainly does help to place the […]

The life of Mir Sultan Khan

He is one of the most remarkable figures in the world of chess. Born in a rural village in British India, and receiving only rudimentary schooling, Mir Sultan Khan became very adept at the game. When he moved to England he won numerous prestigeous tournaments, and beat the likes of U.S. Champion Marshall and World […]

SC Viernheim secure second Bundesliga title with flawless season

SC Viernheim completed the 2025/26 Chess Bundesliga season with a perfect record, winning all fifteen matches to secure the title on 30/30 match points. The team finished 7 match points ahead of OSG Baden-Baden and Sfr. Wolfhagen. Baden-Baden took second place thanks to their superior tiebreak score (board points). Consistent performances across the lineup, including […]

Chess for inclusion: A powerful educational transformation in Catalonia

In Barcelona and across Catalonia, chess is being integrated into public education as a tool for learning and inclusion. Schools such as Escola Jaume Balmes and Escola Ramon y Cajal use the game to teach subjects ranging from mathematics to language, while also helping students from diverse backgrounds connect. Supported by educators and institutions, the […]

Chess.com Open: Carlsen reaches Grand Final, Duda qualifies to Esports World Cup

Magnus Carlsen reached the Grand Final of the Chess.com Open after two closely contested 3–2 victories over Denis Lazavik and Jan-Krzysztof Duda. Despite falling short, Duda secured qualification for the Esports World Cup by reaching the Winners Final. In the Losers Bracket, Sina Movahed and Nodirbek Abdusattorov advanced with two wins each, while six players […]

Review: King’s Indian – A Complete Repertoire for Black by GM Felix Blohberger

The two-part FritzTrainer series “King’s Indian – A Complete Repertoire for Black” by Grandmaster Felix Blohberger is devoted to one of the most dynamic and at the same time complex openings in modern chess: the King’s Indian Defence. Lukas Köpl examines the series with regard to its structure, content, didactic quality and practical relevance.

Bundesliga: Viernheim still perfect, Baden-Baden only manage a draw

SC Viernheim extended their lead in the 2025/26 Chess Bundesliga with a narrow win over Sfr. Wolfhagen in round thirteen, while OSG Baden-Baden were held to a draw by Heimbach-Weis-Neuwied. The results leave Viernheim four match points clear of Baden-Baden with two rounds remaining. A draw in Saturday’s direct encounter with Baden-Baden would be sufficient […]