8/1/2025 – The third day of the 2025 Esports World Cup chess tournament featured both the quarterfinals and semifinals, with Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja advancing to the Grand Final. In the semis, Carlsen edged out Hikaru Nakamura in a tightly contested match that went to Armageddon, while Firouzja defeated Arjun Erigaisi 4–1. Nakamura and Arjun will meet in the third-place playoff. | Photos: Esports World Cup

8/1/2025 – The best way to play a good (and successful) game is to start with a strong opening. Svitlana Dimchenko demonstrates how to succeed with the versatile King’s Indian Attack—a dangerous weapon that’s easy to learn. For those who want more, there’s ChessBase Magazine—the best and most comprehensive digital chess magazine, featuring analyses by top players. Get it at a special price during this week’s Summer Special (July 28 to August 3)!

8/1/2025 – In his new Fast & Furious show, Robert Ris shows how 14-year old Turkish GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus surprised Peter Svidler, one of the greatest Grunfeld experts, with a sideline in Svidler's pet opening. | Fast & Furious is available on-demand with a ChessBase Premium Account. You can register a Premium account here.

8/1/2025 – The 19th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament, held in Nice from 13 to 25 March 2010, saw a gripping duel between 19-year-old Magnus Carlsen, who had just become the highest-rated player in the world, and Ukrainian star Vasyl Ivanchuk, the only player to take part in all editions of the event. Both finished on 14½/22 points, but their paths to victory differed: Ivanchuk remained unbeaten throughout, while Carlsen played uncompromisingly, drawing only 3 out of 22 games. | All photos: Nadja Wittmann

7/31/2025 – Not only does Liverpool have a great musical history, it also has a great chess history. Its chess club was founded in 1837, and one of its early luminaries was Amos Burn. The city is now hosting the British Championships (31 August–10 September), a major chess festival featuring the best players and greatest British talent. | Photos: English Chess Federation

7/31/2025 – Day two of the 2025 Esports World Cup chess tournament concluded the group stage, with Ian Nepomniachtchi, Nihal Sarin, Hikaru Nakamura and Nodirbek Abdusattorov advancing from the Losers Brackets to complete the quarterfinal lineup. Each won two matches to stay in contention for the $250,000 first prize. Meanwhile, eight players - including Giri, Vachier-Lagrave and Caruana - were eliminated. The remaining participants are now guaranteed at least $85,000 as the knockout phase begins. | Photos: Esports World Cup

7/28/2025 – Humpy Koneru and Divya Deshmukh faced off in the tiebreak for the title at the 2025 Women's World Cup. After a draw in the first game, the second developed into a dramatic battle with fluctuating evaluations in a complex rook endgame. With time running short, it was Humpy Koneru who made the final mistake, allowing Divya Deshmukh to win the game, the match, and the title. | Photos: Andrei Anosov/FIDE

7/28/2025 – With a victory in the match for third place against Lei Tingjie, Tan Zhongyi became the first player at the Women's World Cup to secure a spot in the Candidates Tournament. In the final, Divya Deshmukh and Humpy Koneru drew their game and will head into a tiebreak on Monday. | Photos: Anna Shtourman

7/28/2025 – The knockout stage of the Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh has determined the final four participants for the Esports World Cup chess main event. After a long day of intense rapid matches, Nihal Sarin, Javokhir Sindarov, Anish Giri and Levon Aronian claimed qualification. They now join twelve invited players, including Carlsen, Nakamura and Firouzja, in the 16-player tournament that begins on Tuesday, 29 July. | Photos: Aditya Sur Roy / ChessBase India

7/27/2025 – The Mega Database 2025 contains over eleven million games — an impressive archive of chess knowledge. And it keeps growing. Thanks to the weekly Mega Update service, you receive about 5,000 new games each week, directly from tournaments around the world. As with ChessBase 18, keeping the Mega Database up to date requires just a few clicks. In this tutorial episode, we’ll show you how.

7/27/2025 – The first half of the "Clash of Generations" match between Peter Svidler and Yagız Kaan Erdoğmuş in Marseille has concluded with the score tied at 1½–1½. The six-game classical encounter has already featured a decisive win for each player and one strategic draw. From a sharp French Defence to dynamic Sicilian play, both contenders have shown their readiness to fight in complex positions. | Photo: Harry Gielen

7/26/2025 – The first games of the Women's World Cup final and third-place match in Batumi both ended in draws. Divya Deshmukh missed a promising attacking chance against Humpy Koneru, while Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie played a balanced game in the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined. The second classical games will be played tomorrow, with Humpy and Lei having the white pieces. A win would secure the match without tiebreaks. | Photo: Anna Shtourman / FIDE