10/2/2026 – Russia is hardly known for treating people in general, and political opponents in particular, with restraint. Lithuanian and US security services have now uncovered an alleged network of Russian operatives and saboteurs said to have been preparing attacks on Russian exiles. One of the reported targets: Garry Kasparov. | Photo: Kasparov.com

10/2/2026 – In the diagram position, Black showed too much respect for White's Nh5 idea. Can you see a good way to ignore it?

10/2/2026 – Chris Ward looks at two very different Dragon games, one from club level and one from the very top of the chess world. The first example shows how ambitious attacking ideas can lead to rich tactical positions, even when the calculation is not completely correct, while the second features Alexander Grischuk against Ian Nepomniachtchi and demonstrates how quickly White can get into trouble after spending time grabbing material instead of developing the attack. Chris highlights typical Dragon themes such as pressure on the queenside, exchange sacrifices, tactical ideas on the c file and the strength of the dark squared bishop. | Photo: John Upham

10/2/2026 – The 2026 U.S. and U.S. Women’s Chess Championships will take place at the Saint Louis Chess Club from 8 to 23 October, with 12-player fields and more than $400,000 in total prize money. Fabiano Caruana (pictured) will defend his U.S. title against a field including Wesley So, Hans Niemann and Levon Aronian, while Carissa Yip heads the women's event alongside Alice Lee, Irina Krush and Rose Atwell. | Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club

10/1/2026 – Chess is currently banned in Afghanistan. This was not always the case. Despite the ban, Afghan teams took part in both the open and women's sections of the Chess Olympiad, a decision that was not welcomed by the ruling Taliban. Three of the players were arrested at the border on their return and placed under house arrest. They could potentially face severe punishment.

10/1/2026 – Arne Kähler shares impressions from the final moments in Samarkand: the start of the crucial matches Uzbekistan–Ukraine and India–Hungary in the last round, a blitz game against seven-year-old Uzbek talent Mukhammadyusuf Bakhramov, scenes from the press room, a chat with Frederik Svane from Germany and Konstantin Peyrer from Austria, and highlights from the closing ceremony. | Photo: ChessBase

10/1/2026 – The results of the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan brought notable changes to the rankings. Among the big winners are Uzbekistan's Abdusattorov, Sindarov and Yakubboev. Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus has extended his lead over Gukesh in the junior rankings, while Alice Lee of the United States is now the top-ranked female junior.

10/1/2026 – Arne and Karsten show highlights from the Olympiad . In this case it is White to move and draw. | You can watch the Endgame Magic Show on-demand with a ChessBase Premium account.

10/1/2026 – In the video, Nico Zwirs demonstrates an opening experiment by the newly crowned Olympic champion Mukhiddin Madaminov (5.5 out of 7 on board 5): the Sicilian with 2…e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qe3 Nf6 6.Nc3. And Mihail Marin examines the move 6.Ne5 in the Queen’s Pawn Game (“I didn’t even know this move existed!”) – tested by none other than World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov. In addition, the ‘Lucky bag’ – featuring 41 game analyses by Berg, Ftacnik, Gupta and many others – offers a colourful spectrum of opening ideas, tactical masterpieces and more. Tip: With a subscription, you pay just €9.17 per issue for the CBM Extra (instead of €14.90 for a single issue)!

10/1/2026 – In this Olympiad special of The Underdog, Robert Ris presents seven remarkable upsets from both the Women’s and Open sections, chosen not only for the rating differences but also for the instructive chess behind them. The examples range from spectacular attacking ideas and sudden tactical reversals to missed winning chances and difficult endgames, showing how quickly a game can turn even when the stronger player appears to be completely in control. One particularly dramatic example sees Arjun Erigaisi lose after dominating much of his game, while another features a rating difference of almost 600 points and a winning material advantage that disappears after a major tactical oversight.

9/30/2026 – He has been elected FIDE President. Shortly before the ballot decided it in Samarkand, American Chess Magazine conducted an interview with Timur Turlov, discussing his upbringing and background, the ecosystem of his company Freedom, his involvement in chess and what he would do to enhance its popularity and status in the world. Long, must-read description.

9/30/2026 – Arne Kähler sets off by golf cart from the entrance gate to the exhibition area at the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. He shows the stands of WR Chess, DGT and ChessBase, while also passing the ChessBase India workspace, the food court and the souvenir shop. Arne then visits the press area and the game zone before meeting a special guest at the ChessBase stand - elite grandmaster Levon Aronian! | Photo: ChessBase