ChessBase

• Review: All new releases in October!

  The new ChessBase products released in October offer plenty of practical chess advice, including tips on choosing the right moment to launch an attack, as well as several exciting opening variations that can quickly be put into practice. ChessBase Magazine 234 Extra and databases for fans of the Italian Game round off October's varied selection. | All photos: ChessBase

• ChessBase for Mac: people are loving it

  Charlize van Zyl is a South African chess player and Woman International Master (WIM) who earned her title in 2013 at the age of 13. She had so far not worked with ChessBase – because she didn't have a Windows computer. Now that we have published the Mac version of our program, is quite delighted. In a a deep dive into the program Charlize shares her experience. In this second clip she shows and explains some new features.

• Like to play Magnus in London?

  The World No. 1 is making a rare appearance in a public event. Magnus Carlsen is warming up to defend his World Rapid and Blitz titles at the XTX Markets London Chess Classic Super Rapid, which runs from December 5 to 6. Anyone could face him in Round 1. In addition: the 11-year-old UK sensation Bodhana Sivanandan will also compete.

• Total Chess: Group stage - Live!

  The group stage of the Total Chess Pilot is underway in Budapest, and only the group winners will advance to the knockout final to compete for the tournament title. The 24 participants are divided into four groups of six, playing a double round-robin in each group. From Wednesday to Sunday, each participant plays two games per day with a Fast Classic time control (45+30). On Saturday, Magnus Carlsen will attempt to recover from earlier setbacks in his mini-match against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. | Follow the action live, starting at 15.00 CET (9.00 ET, 19.30 IST) | Pictured: Hans Niemann | Photo: Michal Walusza

• Review: Robert Ris' FritzTrainers on openings, calculation and strategic thinking (Part 3)

  “The third and final part of my author special on Robert Ris rounds off my review of his work by looking at his middlegame courses, which focus primarily on chess strategy,” writes Lukas Köpl in his comprehensive review of Robert Ris’s video courses.

• Top players and rising stars head to Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2027

  The 89th Tata Steel Chess Tournament will take place in Wijk aan Zee from 15 to 31 January 2027, with a Masters field led by Javokhir Sindarov (pictured), Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Vincent Keymer, Alireza Firouzja, Anish Giri and Levon Aronian. The Challengers section will also feature a strong international lineup, including Aravindh Chithambaram, Zhu Jiner, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Alice Lee and returning Ukrainian grandmaster Ihor Samunenkov. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase

• Total Chess: Double wins for Caruana and Niemann, first 2700+ scalp for Assaubayeva

  Fabiano Caruana and Hans Niemann scored back-to-back wins on Thursday at the Total Chess Pilot in Budapest, defeating Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali Rameshbabu respectively. Caruana now leads Group B with 10 points, while Niemann shares first place in Group D with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen remains winless but just 2 points off the lead in Group C after again signing two draws. Notably, Bibisara Assaubayeva obtained a memorable upset victory over Arjun Erigaisi. | Photo: Michal Walusza / Total Chess

• Tony Miles: 25 years since the sudden death of an English star

  Twenty-five years ago today, on 12 November 2001, English chess lost one of its finest players, Anthony Miles. He was the first English player ever to be awarded the title of international grandmaster by FIDE. Miles was among the world's top ten players for a time. His death came as a great surprise. | Photo: British Chess News

• Total Chess: Top scorers obtain 4/6 points on first day of group stage

  The group stage of the Total Chess Pilot began in Budapest on Wednesday, with players contesting two games at a 45+30 time control. Six players finished the day with 4 points out of a possible 6: Fabiano Caruana, Alireza Firouzja (pictured), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Le Quang Liem. The football-style scoring system made an immediate difference, as Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri - who drew both their encounters - find themselves trailing players who collected a win and a loss. | Photo: Michal Walusza / Total Chess

• CBM 233: Aronian and Pragg shine

  ChessBase Magazine offers a window to the world of professional chess. Nagesh Havanur takes a look at the recent issue, CBM 233. A total of 2911 games from the Biel and Norway tournaments (18 annotated), 10 opening surveys, 3 opening videos, demo lectures and several exercises for training. Annotators include Lubomir Ftacnik. Aydin Suleymanli and Le Quang Liem, among others. The icing on the cake is Anish Giri's analysis of two decisive games from the Quantbox Chennai Grandmasters Tournament. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase