US Chess has a new champion, and it is WGM Anjelina Belakovskaia. She won the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Championship with a score of 4½/5. Winning the tournament did not come without its share of drama, as a heart-stopping final round provided all the excitement one would expect from a national championship.

In a significant development for the international chess community, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is set to host the esteemed 2023 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships from December 26 to 30. This announcement marks a blend of ancient history and modern chess prowess, as the world’s leading chess players will converge in one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth to vie for the prestigious world champion titles in both Open and Women’s categories.

The chess community has been buzzing with inquiries about Grandmaster (GM) Ding Liren’s recent withdrawal from prominent chess events. As the reigning world champion, his absence has been notably felt. GM Ding Liren has clarified that health concerns are the reason for stepping back. However, he is optimistic about resuming tournament play in 2024.

Alexandra Botez, along with her sister, has become a global icon in the Chess community. Their popularity has soared with a YouTube channel amassing over 1.4 million subscribers. Their videos are not just popular; they inspire millions who watch and learn from them.

SAINT LOUIS – The excitement is building in the international chess community as the final two events of the 2023 Grand Chess Tour approach. The city of Saint Louis is preparing to welcome the world’s elite chess players for the decisive Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz and Sinquefield Cup tournaments. These competitions will not only feature thrilling games but also determine the overall winner of the tour. Currently leading the standings is Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, closely followed by Grandmasters Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Richard Rapport. Notably, GM Ding Liren has withdrawn from the competitions, opening the door for GM Liêm Quang Lê and GM Levon Aronian to participate.

At the prestigious Asian Para Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, China, the Vietnamese chess team showcased outstanding talent and strategy, resulting in a commendable haul of medals.

Chess is a game filled with intricate strategies, well-studied openings, and tactical fireworks. Among these is a particularly intriguing gambit known to surprise many: The Halloween Gambit. This seemingly “spooky” strategy has bewildered countless opponents, making it a fascinating topic for today’s discussion.

In the beautiful setting of the Villa Marina in Douglas, Isle of Man, chess enthusiasts and professionals will gather from October 23 to November 6 for two of the most awaited chess tournaments: The FIDE Grand Swiss and FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2023.

“The City Of Human Chess” received overwhelming acclaim and was titled the Best Mid-Length Documentary at its U.S. premiere in the renowned DOC LA Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival. Now available on MagellanTV, the documentary narrates the unique tradition of a human chess match, inspired by a story from the 15th century, held in the quaint town of Marostica, Italy.

Hosted by FIDE, the Italian Chess Federation, UniChess, and Accademia Scacchistica Monrealese, 271 players from 53 countries are competing for the World Senior Champion title in Open 50+, Open 65+, and Women categories