ChessBase

• KazChess Masters Almaty 2026 - Live!

  The KazChess Masters Almaty 2026 takes place from 26 October to 3 November in Kazakhstan. The ten-player invitational tournament brings together five international grandmasters and five players from the host country. Among the best-known participants are Muhammad Muradli, Daniil Dubov and Denis Lazavik, who recently reached the Esports World Cup final. Another player to watch is 14-year-old Kazakh talent Mark Smirnov. | Live from approximately 6:15 AM ET / 3:45 PM IST / 11:15 AM CET | Pictured: Edgar Mamedov | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase

• FIDE ratings - November 2026

  The US Chess Championships and the European Club Cup were the most important tournaments of the past month, bringing about a number of changes in the rankings of the world's top players. Magnus Carlsen, Hou Yifan, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Alice Lee top the rankings in their respective categories. Meanwhile, Nihal Sarin entered the world top 20 and Hans Niemann dropped below the 2700 mark.

• Jon Speelman: Ya-hoo!

  With the World Championship match in Geneva just over three weeks away, Jon Speelman considers the prospects of defending champion Gukesh Dommaraju and challenger Javokhir Sindarov. He reflects on the demands of a 14-game match, recent form and the importance of preparation, while revisiting Sindarov’s attacking win over Hikaru Nakamura in Saint Louis. Speelman also draws on past Candidates battles to underline the tactical possibilities ahead. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase

• Bavarian Championship: Few surprises in the opening rounds at Tegernsee

  Fifty players remain on perfect scores after two rounds of the Bavarian Chess Championship, which has attracted 548 participants to Gmund am Tegernsee. Most of the leading seeds have made a strong start, though Jaime Santos, Leonardo Costa and Peter Acs - all among the top ten in the starting rank - were held to draws by lower-rated opponents. Top seed Frederik Svane (pictured) and third seed Alexander Donchenko are among those sharing the lead with 2/2 points. | Photo: Sandra Schmidt/OIBM

• Vasily Panov: An influential theoretician with a dark side

  Born on 1 November 1906, Vasily Panov was not among the leading Soviet chess players of his generation. However, he was a prominent figure as an author and theoretician. Many players know his name as the inventor of the Panov Attack, which was named after him. Yet Panov's career also had a darker side.

• Fujairah to host WFCC Grand Prix Final, with world's best solvers and composers

  The Grand Final of the WFCC Fujairah Grand Prix 2025–2026 will take place from 27 to 30 November in Fujairah, bringing together leading chess solvers for the conclusion of the series’ inaugural cycle. The finalists will compete across six solving rounds for a €30,000 prize fund, while an accompanying composing tournament will add another dimension, with the solvers themselves voting for the best original problems and studies used in the event. | Photo: Fujairah Chess & Culture Club / FIDE

• KazChess Masters: Dubov moves ahead with consecutive wins

  Daniil Dubov has taken the sole lead at the KazChess Masters in Almaty after scoring consecutive wins in rounds five and six. The Russian grandmaster stands on 4½/6, half a point ahead of Shamsiddin Vokhidov and Denis Lazavik. Remarkably, the same three players - Dubov, Vokhidov and Mahammad Muradli - won their games in the last two rounds. Early leaders Edgar Mamedov and Denis Makhnev are now a point behind Dubov. | Photo: Niki Riga / FIDE

• The amazing story of Peter Giannatos and the Charlotte Chess Center

  Twelve years ago, a college student in Charlotte with an economics degree and no business plan asked his local chess community for $10,000 to open a chess club. They gave him $30,000. Today the Charlotte Chess Center teaches 2,500 children a week, runs more rated tournaments than there are days in the year, and hosts Judit Polgar, Peter Leko and Boris Gelfand as camp trainers. Sagar Shah travelled to Charlotte for the Daniel Naroditsky Memorial and sat down with founder Peter Giannatos to understand exactly how it was built. | All photos: Courtesy of Peter Giannatos and the Charlotte Chess Center

• International conference "Chess in Education" to b­­e held in Almaty

  Almaty will host the 4th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Chess in Education" on 12–13 November at Narxoz University. Organised as part of Kazakhstan's national chess development plan, the event will focus on expanding school chess, improving teacher training and integrating chess more systematically into education. FIDE President Timur Turlov and international specialists will join discussions on cognitive development, curriculum design, digital tools and the training of educators. | Image: FIDE

• A chess revival at Simpson's-in-the-Strand

  The London chess café Simpson's-in-the-Strand was, for a time, a meeting place for the world's leading players. Now, thanks to Jeremy King and Jason Kouchak, the historic venue is enjoying a revival not only as a top restaurant but also as a gathering place for chess enthusiasts. | Photos: Chiao Lee