3/30/2026 – The 2026 Candidates Tournament kicked off in style, with three decisive results from four games, all in favour of the player with the white piece. Fabiano Caruana defeated Hikaru Nakamura in the all-American clash between top seeds, while Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Javokhir Sindarov scored wins of different nature over Anish Giri and Andrey Esipenko, respectively. The only draw came in Matthias Bluebaum v. Wei Yi. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

3/30/2026 – The Women's Candidates began in Pegeia with four draws in round one, though the games featured a number of missed chances. The event, held alongside the open section for a second time, brings together five returning players from 2024 and three young talents. Early pairings included two all-national encounters, while late changes following Humpy Koneru's withdrawal altered the draw. Time pressure and opening surprises marked the first day of action. | Pictured: Aleksandra Goryachkina | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

3/29/2026 – The KazChess Masters, held in Shymkent from 21 to 29 March, brought together five experienced international grandmasters and five emerging Kazakhstani players in a single round-robin format. Pranav Venkatesh secured first place with 7½/9, finishing clear of Shamsiddin Vokhidov. The event also highlighted the progress of local talents, notably Danis Kuandykuly (born in 2013), who exceeded expectations with a 4/9 score. | Photo: Kazakhstan Chess Federation

3/29/2026 – Head-to-head records between the participants of the Candidates Tournaments provide useful context for each pairing. Drawing on data compiled via Mega Database 2026, the key statistics from past encounters highlight imbalances and trends. While such figures are not decisive, they offer an additional perspective on how rivalries have developed before a tournament that will determine the next challenger for the world title.

3/29/2026 – Tactical analysis is not just exciting, but it is very practical. With ChessBase´26, it is easy to use its findings. In this episode, learn how you can use this ChessBase function to complement your analysis and make it more effective.

3/29/2026 – The Candidates Tournaments opened with a ceremonial evening combining formal addresses, player introductions and cultural performances, setting the stage for the competitions ahead. Held in Cyprus, the event brought together all sixteen contenders from the open and women's sections, alongside officials and guests. With the opening ceremony concluded, attention now turns to the start of play on 29 March, when the race to decide the next challengers begins. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

3/28/2026 – We are excited to announce an exclusive live lecture with GM Max Dlugy at KCF Academy on March 29. In this session, GM Dlugy will turn his focus to the middlegame, the stage of the game where deep strategic thinking, long-range planning, and precise piece coordination so often determine the outcome.

3/28/2026 – In this episode of Svitlana's Smart Moves, Svitlana continues her Candidates series by presenting one key tactical moment from each player in the Women's Candidates, while Arne tries to solve them along the way. The positions showcase a wide range of attacking and endgame ideas, from classic double-bishop sacrifices to precise defensive resources and beautiful promotion tactics, while also highlighting the strength and fighting spirit of players like Deshmukh, Zhongyi, Vaishali, Goryachkina and Lagno.

3/28/2026 – With the first round of the Candidates Tournament set to begin on Sunday, we are just hours away from the start of one of chess' most demanding events. In a series of videos, GM Daniel King profiles all eight participants, offering a clear and concise overview of their strengths, weaknesses and prospects ahead of the competition!

3/28/2026 – Accurate calculation is the be-all and end-all in chess. That is precisely what Surya Ganguly aims to teach. Young FIDE Master Bahne Fuhrmann of Hamburger SK reviews Ganguly’s video course “Calculation Step by Step – Vol. 1: Foundations.” In his article, he takes a closer look at the tips and techniques proposed by the Indian grandmaster for calculating variations with precision. A course that demands active participation…

3/27/2026 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled in favour of Ukraine in its case against the Chess Federation of Russia, concluding that earlier sanctions imposed by FIDE were insufficient. The decision requires the Russian Federation to cease organising chess activities in several annexed regions within 90 days or face suspension from international competition. The case centres on events held in territories internationally recognised as Ukrainian. | Photo: TAS/CAS (Tribunal Arbitral du Sport)

3/27/2026 – An overview of the Opening Encyclopaedia 2026 highlights its role as a structured resource for studying modern opening theory. Combining articles, annotated games and video content, it offers both broad coverage and practical guidance. With contributions from authors such as Daniel King and Dorian Rogozenco, the material spans introductory tutorials and detailed analysis, alongside an extensive, searchable games' database.