European Championship: Six Players Tied for First Place After Five Rounds
After five rounds of the European Chess Championship held in Katowice, a group of six players has emerged at the top, each having accumulated 4½ points out of a possible 5. This strong performance follows a calm draw between two of the initial frontrunners, Eduardo Iturrizaga and Robert Hovhannisyan. Four other participants have joined them in the lead, securing their positions with decisive wins.
The competition remains fierce, with a significant contingent of 44 players closely trailing, holding a score of 4 points. Notably, several of the highly-rated players, including Igor Kovalenko, are already a full point behind the leaders in this extensive 501-player Swiss open tournament.
Fresh materials — Chess News
New Chess Releases for March 2026
The highly anticipated Opening Encyclopedia 2026 is now available. This comprehensive annual publication is the result of extensive and meticulous effort, offering an invaluable resource for thorough tournament preparation. In addition to the encyclopedia, seasoned ChessBase authors have contr
European Championship: Abasov and Anton Share Lead Heading into Final Weekend in Katowice
As the European Chess Championship in Katowice approaches its final weekend, David Anton and Nijat Abasov are currently joint leaders with 7½ points out of 9. Their paths are set to cross in the penultimate tenth round on Saturday, promising a decisive encounter. Following closely, just half a
Nihal Sarin Triumphs at Menorca Masters, Gukesh Secures Fourth
Nihal Sarin has emerged as the sole winner of the Masters section at the Open Chess Menorca 2026. He concluded the tournament with a performance half a point superior to that of Ruslan Ponomariov and Richard Rapport. Following them, a full point behind, were World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and
Candidates R11: Draws Benefit Sindarov
The eleventh round of the Candidates Open was marked by a series of draws, a development that significantly favored Javokhir Sindarov. This outcome allows the Uzbek grandmaster to maintain his leading position in the tournament, holding a two-point advantage over Anish Giri. With only three round
ChessBase 26: Standard vs. Custom Layouts for Analysis - Beginner's Tips Part 10
ChessBase 26 excels in its user-friendly design, making it easy to analyze games even with multiple menu windows open, without losing track of your work. Have you explored the six standard layouts offered, or do you prefer to create your own personalized arrangement? We encourage you to discov
European Championship, Round 4 - Live
The 2026 European Chess Championship, organized by the Polish Chess Federation, is currently underway in Katowice. The prestigious tournament, which commenced on April 7th and concludes on April 19th, sees 501 players battling for the continental crown, substantial prize money, and a coveted s