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A tale of two brains: Wishful thinking vs deep calculation

09/02/2025 -

How many moves do you think grandmasters can calculate? It’s somewhere between ‘a lot’ and ‘are they even human’. Their brain works like a high-speed engine. They can see countless variations in seconds. They can spot traps before they even exist. And a Woodpusher? They might stare at the board, see one move ahead or maybe two on a good day, and hope for the best. This article explores the bizarre gap between ‘deep calculation’ and ‘let’s see what happens’.  

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ChessBase 18: New functions in the reference search

09/02/2025 -

ChessBase 18 has many spectacular new features, but also hidden innovations: The new superpower in the reference search provides knowledge you need: Do you know the best way to prepare your team-mates for a team match? How do you find typical draw variations? Which opening variations are currently played in amateur chess? Chief developer Matthias Wuellenweber shows interesting innovations in the ChessBase 18 reference search. Check out the tutorial and grab ChessBase 18 if you haven't yet. Photo: ChessBase

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1: Caruana handpicks World Champion Gukesh as his Quarterfinals opponent

09/02/2025 -

Alireza Firouzja (FRA) scored an unbeaten 3/4 on the second day to top Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1. He was on the verge of beating Magnus Carlsen (NOR) in Round 7. However, he missed it and the game ended in a draw. Firouzja defeated the sole leader Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) in Round 9 to finish first in the Round-Robin stage. The ranking in the round-robin stage does not have a lot of consequence, except for choosing their opponent. The winner gets a choice from the bottom four out of top eight, then runner-up picks from the remaining three and so on. Thus, the QF lineup turned out to be: Firouzja - Vincent Keymer, Sindarov - Hikaru Nakamura, D Gukesh - Fabiano Caruana and Magnus Carlsen - Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Quarterfinals Game 1 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

Diptayan Ghosh best at 29th Hit Open 2025

08/02/2025 -

GM Diptayan Ghosh scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 29th Hit Open A (>1600) 2025. He finished a staggering one and a half point ahead of the rest. FM Dejan Omorjan (SRB), GM Matej Sebenik (SLO) and FM Rudi Olenik Campa (SLO) scored 6.5/9 each. They were placed second, third and fourth respectively according to tie-breaks. The top three prizes were €1000, €750 and €500 each. The eight-day nine-round Swiss League Rating Open tournament was organized by Chess club Nova Gorica, Slovenia at Perla, Resort & Entertainment in Nova Gorica, Slovenia from 24th to 31st January 2025. This is the second tournament Diptayan played this year and he won it in a dominant fashion. Photo: RTV Slovenia

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1: Carlsen slayers Caruana and Sindarov emerge coleaders

08/02/2025 -

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1 is off to a great start. Fabiano Caruana (USA) and Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) have emerged coleaders 4.5/5. Both of them defeated the Magnus Carlsen (NOR). Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) was the only other player to beat the World no.1. Alireza Firouzja (FRA) is at a full point behind the leaders at 3.5/5 each. He is the only player who managed to beat the World Champion, D Gukesh. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) has made a 50% start 2.5/5. Carlsen, Gukesh, Hikaru Nakamura (USA) and Vincent Keymer (GER) are at 2/5 each. Round 6 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Abhyudaya Ram

Aravindh Chithambaram keeps climbing, becomes World no.21

07/02/2025 -

The FIDE Rating list for February 2025 does not reflect a lot of change as Tata Steel Tournament was in progress. So, the list is unable to show the changes for Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali. However, two Indians gained significant places. Aravindh Chithambaram continues his climb to the top. He gained 2.9 Elo rating points to move to 2729 and World no.21. Among the Indian Women, WGM Rakshitta Ravi gained 44.6 Elo rating points to break into World top 100 among Women for the first time with a career high rating 2365. She is now World no.77 among Women. Photo: Anmol Bhargav

Gukesh to face Carlsen and co. at Weissenhaus Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1

07/02/2025 -

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1 starts in Hamburg, Germany today. This will be the first time the World no.1 - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) will face D Gukesh after he became the 18th World Champion. The remaining eight players are - Fabiano Caruana (USA), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), Alireza Firouzja (FRA), Levon Aronian (USA), Vincent Keymer (GER), Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) and Javokhir Sindarov (UZB). Sindarov replaced Vishy Anand who withdrew from the tournament. The Uzbek was the runner-up in the online qualifiers behind Fedoseev who won and earned his spot. There will be five rounds of Rapid games played today in the Round-Robin stage and the remaining four will take place tomorrow. Gukesh will face Carlsen in the ninth round. Round 1 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: IM Sagar Shah

"A joyful passion for chess" - An interview with Sagar Shah

06/02/2025 -

Sagar Shah is the Cofounder and CEO of ChessBase India, a trainer, organiser and author. He is a regular guest at top tournaments around the world and has made countless videos filming chess events and interviewing top players and organisers. But during a visit to the ChessBase studio he changed roles and was interviewed. He talked to Johannes Fischer about his enthusiasm for chess, his chess career, his chess wedding and revealed why he is fascinated by mountain climbing. Check out the 77-minute-long interview of the man who is truly indefatigable when it comes to chess. Photo: ChessBase

New: 1.Nf3: A Reti-Grandmaster course for strategic understanding and flexibility Vol.1 - Fianchetto Systems

06/02/2025 -

Looking for a versatile and strategic opening repertoire that doesn’t rely on memorising endless variations? In this course, Grandmaster Felix Blohberger delivers a complete opening repertoire for White, centred around the flexible move 1.Nf3. Whether you’re a club player or a seasoned competitor, this course offers a solid yet dynamic approach that adapts to various playing styles and opponents. Felix was the second for Pentala Harikrishna at the recently concluded 87th Tata Steel Masters 2025. Grab this new Fritztrainer if you have not yet. Now you can study chess on any device, either via streaming or on ChessBase Book. Photo: ChessBase

‘Morphy Residential Chess Camp’ is offering you a blend of intense training and holistic activities

05/02/2025 -

Chess-Music-Nature. It may sound like a retreat, but it's actually what the Morphy Chess Academy is offering through their training camp. Their 'Morphy Residential Chess Camp' combines intense chess training with holistic activities. Last year, nine players from different cities came together to train under CM Vinod Bhagwat, a renowned chess coach in Nashik. This year, the camp is scheduled from 20th to 30th April. Check out the article for insights into how the last camp was organized and how you can participate in the upcoming one. Photo: Vinod Bhagwat

Sharan Rao triumphs at Big Rook Chinese New Year Open 2025

05/02/2025 -

IM Sharan Rao scored an unbeaten 6/7 to win Big Rook Chinese New Year Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. 13-year-old Rumi Arjuna Malique Cairel Adrin (MAS) scored 5.5/7 to secure second place. Bei Er (CHN) and FM Poompong Wiwatanadate (THA) scored 5/7 each. They were placed third and fourth respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was THB 30000 (≈ ₹77643) + trophies, medals and certificates. The top three prizes were THB 5000 + trophy, 3000 and 2400 each. Louie Salvador (PHI) won the Blitz Rating Open scoring 8/9. FM Jony Habla (PHI) finished second 7.5/9. Sharan secured third place 7/9. The top three prizes in Blitz were THB 1400 + trophy, 1000 and 700 each. This was Sharan's second overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Big Rook Chess Academy, Bangkok

Ambit Chess Club: A new go-to place for chess lovers

05/02/2025 -

Have you ever walked into a place and felt the incredible vibe right away? That’s exactly what happened on January 18th at the Ambit Chess Club. Ambit turned their cafeteria into an amazing chess club and it has already become a favorite spot for chess lovers. The response to the three events held so far has been fantastic. If you want to compete, learn ,or just enjoy the game, this is the perfect place for you! But don’t forget, registration is mandatory! Check out the article to find out how you can sign up.

Sethuraman set to battle at Indonesia GM Round Robin in Bandung this February

05/02/2025 -

Two round-robin GM and IM tournaments are set to start in ten days from 15th February at Indonesian resort city of Bandung. Well accomplished GM Sethuraman S P will be the sole Indian in the strong field. GM Eltaj Safarli (AZE), GM Temur Kuybokarov (AUS), GM Susanto Megaranto (INA), GM Daniel Quizon (PHI), and GM Novendra Priasmoro (INA) will be five more Grandmasters in the event featuring twelve players. The tournaments are annually held by PERCASI to provide title norm opportunities for their players. Check out the preview of the tournaments written by FM FT IA Peter Long, International Media Officer for both GM and IM tournaments. Photo: IA NI Vivek Sohani

Subhayan Kundu clear first at 3rd Lt. Diloo Dhar Memorial Rating Open 2025

04/02/2025 -

IM Subhayan Kundu scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 3rd Lt. Diloo Dhar Memorial Rating Open 2025. IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni and Abhrojyoti Nath scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹750000. The top three prizes were ₹111000, ₹71000 and ₹50000 along with a trophy each respectively. The five-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Siddhanandaji Education Trust at Neer The Banquet in Silchar, Assam from 24th to 28th January 2025. This was Subhayan's first rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: FA Pranab Kumar Nath

UTRGV perfect at Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship 2025, Harshit Raja second in Blitz

04/02/2025 -

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Team A won Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship 2025. The winning team scored a perfect 5.5/6. University of Texas at Dallas Team B secured second place, scoring 5/6. GM Koustav Chatterjee contributed scored 1.5/4. Saint Louis University Team A and Webster University Team A scored 4.5/6 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. GM Harsha Bharathakoti scored an unbeaten 5/6. The top four teams have qualified to the President's Cup. It will take place in April this year. GM Harshit Raja (Mizzou University) scored 5/6 to secure second place in Blitz Open. Photo: University of Texas at Dallas

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