Chinese grandmaster Wei Yi secured a convincing victory over US representative Levon Aronian in the 2025 Yanwu Cup Grandmaster Match, held in Yancheng, China. Originally scheduled for eight games, the match concluded early after Wei Yi built an unassailable lead. Featuring both classical and rapid formats, the event highlighted Wei’s consistent form and boosted his […]
Svitlana presents an unconventional yet effective way to combat the English Opening by responding with 1…e5 and then an early …h5, aiming to unsettle White’s typical kingside fianchetto plans. The line offers dynamic attacking potential with ideas like …h4, or even …g5, depending on how White responds, and even top blitz players have experimented with […]
“Chess problems demand from the composer the same virtues that characterize all worthwhile art: originality, invention, conciseness, harmony, complexity and splendid insincerity,” wrote Vladimir Nabokov. Problem expert Werner Keym illustrates this in a new book which he makes available, as an eBook, to everyone, free of charge. Here are some excerpts to give you a […]
In today’s competitive chess landscape, even legends would struggle to maintain spotless records. This reflective piece contrasts the rare losses of Capablanca with the regular defeats modern players face, particularly in rapid formats. From Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s heartbreaking loss in Tashkent to Richard Rapport’s brilliant comeback, the article explores the psychological toll of losing – and […]
More than 25,000 people, including stars from the BBC’s chess show Chess Masters: The Endgame, are expected to descend on London’s Trafalgar Square on Sunday, July 13, for ChessFest 2025. Last year, the event drew 23,300 people. The UK’s biggest chess event, now in its fifth year, will draw chess enthusiasts from across the country, […]
Robert Ris faces off against the legendary Mikhail Tal in Fritz 20’s grandmaster-level mode. With playful banter and strategic reflections, he navigates a tense middlegame filled with attacking chances, tactical bluffs and surprising defences. Despite some miscalculations and a critical blunder that nearly costs him the game, Robert defends resiliently, showcasing both fighting spirit and […]
Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem has been crowned champion of the León Masters after defeating five-time world champion Vishy Anand by a 3-1 score in Sunday’s final match. The tournament, which also featured Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro and local representative Jaime Santos, took place from 4 to 6 July and concluded with a closing ceremony […]
Magnus Carlsen won the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia tournament after finishing first in both the blitz and overall standings. Despite a quieter second day of blitz, his combined performance was enough to secure the title ahead of Wesley So and Gukesh Dommaraju. Gukesh, who had led after the rapid section, struggled in the blitz […]
This week only (7–14 July), take advantage of ChessBase’s Summer Special with major discounts on top training material. Ivan Sokolov’s full “Understanding Middlegame Strategies series (Vol. 1–11)” is available for €209.90, down from €299.90. Also on offer: Martin Breutigam’s German-language “1.d4! A Modern Repertoire (Vol. 1 & 2)”, now €49.90 instead of €69.90. Ideal resources […]
The FIDE Women’s World Cup got underway at the Grand Bellagio Batumi Convention & Casino Hotel, where 86 players contested the first game of round one. While most favourites scored early wins, several matches remain finely balanced ahead of game two. A few surprises included resilient draws by lower-rated players against elite opposition. The day […]