7/11/2025 – Chess prevention is one of the most important parts of strategic play in chess. This doesn't apply for chess only but also in life in general. To foresee possible negative outcomes and to protect ourselves from them, or at least to lower their effects, is simpler than having to deal with the consequences. The same applies to chess. Let international trainer Efstratios Grivas explain.

7/10/2025 – The area around Lone Pine is best known as the backdrop for Western films such as "Django Unchained". However, chess history buffs will also recognise it as the venue for important chess tournaments in the 1970s. Roger Lorenz visited the site searching for clues.

7/10/2025 – This week only (7–14 July), take advantage of ChessBase's Summer Special with major discounts on top training material. Ivan Sokolov's full "Understanding Middlegame Strategies series (Vol. 1–11)" is available for €209.90, down from €299.90. Also on offer: Martin Breutigam's German-language "1.d4! A Modern Repertoire (Vol. 1 & 2)", now €49.90 instead of €69.90. Ideal resources for serious club and tournament players looking to improve!

7/10/2025 – Twelve matches at the FIDE Women's World Cup will be decided in Friday's tiebreaks after a tense day of chess saw both solid draws and dramatic turnarounds. While many favourites, including Lei Tingjie, Humpy Koneru and Tan Zhongyi, secured qualification, others must battle again for a place in round three. Meanwhile, 15-year-old WFM Elnaz Kaliakhmet caused the day's biggest upset by eliminating Georgian GM Nino Batsiashvili. | Photos: Anna Shtourman, Polina Bovina and Andrei Anosov / FIDE

7/9/2025 – Chinese grandmaster Wei Yi secured a convincing victory over US representative Levon Aronian in the 2025 Yanwu Cup Grandmaster Match, held in Yancheng, China. Originally scheduled for eight games, the match concluded early after Wei Yi built an unassailable lead. Featuring both classical and rapid formats, the event highlighted Wei's consistent form and boosted his international rankings. | Photo: Frans Peeters / Tata Steel Chess

7/9/2025 – Svitlana presents an unconventional yet effective way to combat the English Opening by responding with 1...e5 and then an early ...h5, aiming to unsettle White's typical kingside fianchetto plans. The line offers dynamic attacking potential with ideas like ...h4, or even ...g5, depending on how White responds, and even top blitz players have experimented with it. While engines consider some White responses (like Nf3 followed by h4) slightly better, the surprise value and aggressive intent behind this line make it a strong practical weapon, especially in blitz and rapid games.