Older readers will remember. In the old days, before the invention of the internet, you actually had to meet in person to play chess. In blitz chess, you sat opposite one another, saw each other and even talked. It was a sociable affair and, at times, rather boisterous. In Hamburg last weekend, a secret gathering […]
Monthly Archives: October 2026
Coming from badminton and motorsport, Naganethra Reddy expected chess to feel quiet and hard to read. Watching the Global Chess League changed that: the drama was in the glances, pauses, and small gestures around the board, and in the stories shared through the commentary. Here’s what she thinks. | Pictured: Bibisara Assaubayeva | Photo: Global […]
In 1977, the historian and archaeologist Yuri Buryakov discovered a set of seven ivory pieces in the ruins of the ancient city of Afrasiab, near Samarkand. The pieces have been dated to the mid-seventh century and are regarded as the oldest known chess pieces in the world. | Photo: Samarkand State Museum
The success of the German national team has something to do with Thuringia. The foundations were laid almost 20 years ago, when national youth coach Bernd Vökler entered a youth team as Germany’s second squad at the Chess Olympiad in Dresden. The “Princes’ Group” was born. Axel Eger reported for the Thüringer Allgemeine. | Photo: […]
For the first time in its history, the renowned German chess magazine SCHACH is available in English. Published under the title CHESS INSIGHT, the new edition was released on October 1, 2026, and is available digitally through Forward Chess.
On Saturday, 21 November 2026, Prague’s Hotel Don Giovanni will host the second Vlastimil Hort Tournament, a rapid chess tournament dedicated to one of the greatest Czech chess players of all time, Grandmaster Vlastimil Hort, who had a very special connection to Prague and the Hotel Don Giovanni. | Photo: Alina l’Ami
Sebastian Poltorak of Poland and Singaporean grandmaster Tin Jingyao have been named recipients of the 2026 Svetozar Gligoric Trophy. Poltorak was recognised for agreeing to a draw after his opponent became unwell during the European Club Cup, while Tin declined to claim a forfeit win when his opponent arrived late because of traffic. The appointed […]
Bent Larsen combined an unconventional approach to the opening with a strong understanding of dynamic positions. In the 20th volume of the ChessBase Master Class series, several experts examine different aspects of the Danish star’s play. The strategy section includes his 1968 win over Florin Gheorghiu in Monte Carlo, a game in which Larsen used […]
The Fagernes International Autumn Tournament is under way in Norway, with six players sharing the lead in the GM Swiss after two rounds. Tiger Hillarp Persson, Aksel Bu Kvaloy, Christian Gloeckler (pictured, left), Harika Dronavalli, Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal and Mads Vestby-Ellingsen have all started with 2/2. The ten-round event, played at the Scandic Valdres […]
Jon Speelman looks back at the Samarkand Olympiad through a selection of short decisive games from the open section. From nearly 9,000 games played across the event, he filters out miniatures of 25 moves or fewer involving at least one player rated above 2500 – then selects a group of the most striking and entertaining […]