ChessBase

• "Chess might be one of the least expressive sports I have ever watched"

  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 Chess League 2026

• The oldest chess pieces in the world

  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 princes of Samarkand

  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: German Chess Federation

• German chess magazine SCHACH launches first English edition as CHESS INSIGHT

  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.

• Vlastimil Hort Tournament 2026: Return to Hotel Don Giovanni

  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

• Respect over results: Sebastian Poltorak and Tin Jingyao receive Gligoric Trophy 2026

  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 commission said both cases reflected exemplary fair play and respect for opponents over immediate competitive advantage. | Photo: FIDE

• Learning strategy from Bent Larsen

  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 active piece play and structural imbalances to make the most of a lasting initiative.

• Six-way tie in the lead after two rounds in Fagernes

  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 hotel, continues until Sunday 11 October. | Photo: Anna Ovidia Young

• Jon Speelman: Miniatures in Samarkand

  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 examples! | Pictured: Ukrainian GM Igor Kovalenko (he played 15.Nb1! in the diagrammed position, trapping his opponent's queen) | Photo: Rafal Oleksiewicz / FIDE

• From the Olympiad to the Mediterranean: Titled stars head to the Sahel Chess Festival

  The Sahel Chess Festival returns to Monastir from 24 October to 1 November, with around 300 players expected to compete at the Hotel El Habib on Tunisia’s Mediterranean coast. The field already includes GMs Titas Stremavicius, Pavel Ponkratov, Friso Nijboer, Mihail Marin and Amir Zaibi, alongside leading Tunisian players and young international prospects. The event continues to position Tunisia as a growing destination for open tournament chess. | Photo: Diana Mihajlova