Matthias Bluebaum: The Underdog Threat at FIDE Candidates 2026 Chess Tournament
The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 is already generating significant buzz, with streamers and top players eagerly sharing their analyses of the early results. A common narrative has emerged, casting Matthias Bluebaum as the tournament's biggest underdog. However, is this perception truly justified?
With an impressive rating approaching 2700 and having secured back-to-back European Championship titles, Bluebaum's strong credentials are difficult to overlook. In a recent segment, chess expert Robert Ris takes a closer look at one of Bluebaum's standout victories. Ris explains why the "underdog" label might still apply, and crucially, how this very designation could transform into his most potent weapon for defying expectations and potentially astonishing the entire field.
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

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 Hovhannisya

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