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CBM 229: The battle for the FIDE World Cup in Goa
ChessBase Magazine offers a window to the world of professional chess. Nagesh Havanur takes a look at the current issue, CBM 229. All games from the FIDE World Cup, 27 annotated, 11 opening surveys, 3 opening videos, demo lectures and several exercises for training. Annotators include Sam Shankland, Wei Yi, Nodirbek Yakubboev and Gabriel Sargissian among others. The icing on the cake is the Special feature "Giri's Gems", offering the Dutch star's eight best games from the year 2025.
Tata Steel Chess - Live!
The 88th edition of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament is taking place from 17 January to 1 February and once again features the traditional structure of parallel Masters and Challengers tournaments, each consisting of 14 players competing in a single round-robin. Going into the final three rounds of the Masters, Nodirbek Abdusattorov is the sole leader, while Javokhir Sindarov, Jorden van Foreest and Matthias Bluebaum stand a half point behind. | Follow the games live with expert commentary starting at 14.00 CET (7.00 ET, 20.30 IST)
How strong is he really? Matthias Blübaum breaks the 2700 barrier
Matthias Blübaum is currently stunning the chess world with his performance at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee. After ten rounds, he shares second to fourth place and is half a point behind leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov. In the last two rounds, Blübaum defeated Gukesh and Anish Giri, which helped him break the 2700 rating barrier for the first time in his career. | Photo: Lennart Ootes
ChessBase´26: A Players Guide (3)
You are playing in a tournament, and have just seen who your opponent in the next round is. Do you go to your database and simply scan through to spot his strengths and weaknesses, to decide which opening to play? With ChessBase´26 you get a full dossier with recommendations in less than one minute. And you can immediately start with the actual preparation. Let GM Iniyan Pa tell you how this all works.
Medical verdict: Naroditsky cause of death
Last week, the news broke out that Daniel Naroditsky's toxicology report had been seen exclusively by NBC News, and the verdict was that a variety of drugs had been found in his system at the time of death: amphetamines, kratum, and more. The news went rampant that a 'drug cocktail' was coursing through his veins. The truth is out and it is a lot less dramatic, though no less tragic. | Photo: Kelly Centrelli / Charlotte Chess Center
Christmas Puzzles 7 – long and short
Take a look at this relatively simple position. Can you figure out how White can win? And how many moves it will require to overcome Black's most resolute defence? You won't believe it. To relax we bring you the arguably easiest chess study ever composed, and other entertaining puzzles, many from the out-of-the-box legend Karl Fabel.
Christmas Puzzles 6 – cover the board!
In August 2019 I spent a week in France, at the training camp I had organized (together with ChessBase India) for young Indian super talents. Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik did the chess training, while I pestered the kids with logic puzzles. Most did not involve chess, but some did. Here are a couple for you.
Christmas Puzzles 5 – Rotary problems
In rotary problems the board is rotated by 180° for a second position with a different solution. It is usually pawns that make a different when you turn the board around. Or the king/queen positions, or castling is involved. Can one devise problems where these factors do not play a role? Yes one can, as our expert for out-of-the-box problems, Werner Keym, proves.
Christmas Puzzles 4 – Retractors
These days it is not easy to challenge anyone with problems or studies. Loading the PGN and clicking Start will usually get you the solution in seconds. So we are trying to provide you with "computer resistant" puzzles in this year's Christmas Puzzle Week. Today the subject is taking back a move in a given position and looking for a move to fulfil the condition. As in this 100-year-old problem by Thomas Dawson: it requires you to take back one move and then mate the opponent in two. Can you think how?
Christmas Puzzles 3 – Just some text
There are chess puzzles which only consist of a line of text, asking you to construct a position or a game that it describes. Some can be awesomely difficult, like the puzzle we first posted 41 years ago. Two world champions were not able to solve it. We tell you about that, and present a new ones, not quite as tough, for you to solve.
Christmas Puzzles 2 – Not that easy!
Take a look at this position, in which White should mate in two. Looks very easy, and hundreds of readers of the newspaper in which it appeared submitted a solution. But it was not correct. In our Christmas Puzzle week the consummate expert of unusual chess problems, Werner Keym, asks you to look carefully at the position and find a genuine way for White to mate Black in two moves. There are two other problems to solve.
ChessBase Christmas Puzzle Week
Christmas day is usually celebrated with a Christmas tree – in problem chess circles occasionally with a puzzle shaped like a Christmas tree. Like this example, composed by the famous Thomas Rayner Dawson, 101 years ago. It illustrates the universal principle of symmetry, and how it can be broken in a chess problem. Mathematics professor Christian Hesse delves into the very profound thinking behind the problem. But you are invited to solve it first.

Here is the place to find out all the latest news about Barclays Bank Cymru / Wales Chess Club. We are sometimes a little odd but never boring! Membership is open to all Staff & their families, whether current, retired or those having left under the various early leaver schemes as laid down by the Bank's rule book at any time.

Disclaimer

Barclays Bank Cymru Wales Chess Club was a member of the former Barclays Bank Sports Club. Whilst this club is no longer formally affiliated with Barclays PLC we have been given authority by Barclays to continue operating under our historic name.

Officers:

Chairman	Peter Bray
Tournament Organisers	Phil Jones & Marc Wakeham
Webmaster	Marc Wakeham

Tournaments & Current holders:

Over The Board

League	The Bray
Neil Evans (2025)	Marc Wakeham (2025)
Mike Roberts' Memorial	Wakeham Blitz
Marc Wakeham (2025)	Marc Wakeham (2025)

Grand Slams (OTB)

Three players have completed a "Grand Slam" of all four trophies. Justin has now achived the honour three times!

Peter Bray	1999 / 2000
Marc Wakeham	2004 / 2005
Justin Morgans	2013 / 2014 & 2023 &2024

Grand Slams (Server)


Marc Wakeham	2024

Latest News

Over The Board

Please visit the OTB Page for full details

League

2026 is underway! In the first game of the season Justin used the advantage of the White pieces to good effect beating Ian. Phil had to pull out due to a virus and now has to offer Martin dates. Peter and Neil's game is due on Tornelo with Peter needing to offer date as the player with the white pieces. Marc had the bye

Bray

Marc Is the reigning Champion

Mike Roberts’ Memorial

Marc Is the reigning Champion

Wakeham Blitz

Marc Is the reigning Champion

ICCF

Server League

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BBCC 20 is closing in on its conclusion. Check its progress along with previous events here

ICCF Titles

THe ICCF have now officially confirmed and bestowed the title Senior Internationol Master upon Marc. He is also now just 1 norm away from the "Big One".

Welsh international games

Marc, Martin, Neil and Peter play ICCF international matches for Wales. If others are interested in some links to follow games or see details of how to get more involved in ICCF events. Personal events see a charge for playing. If you are interested in playing in events take a look at Calendar of events or New events on the ICCF Website.

This page shows how we are doing.

VENUE

Peter Bray's home or Whitchurch British Legion if Peter's is unavailable.

Watch the forum for updates!

Or Online "live" Games are being played at www.tornelo.com

Where are they now?

Aneurin Hughes, Paul Horner, Marc Omar just some of the names that have graced the club in the past. Where are they? It would be great to get these guys back on board even if it is just for the Server events.

Puzzles and Studies

Take a look at some puzzles and studies here test your skills. Keep looking here for new puzzles.

Forum

All the latest news and chat can be found on the forum.

Contact Details

07748 604 968

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 4th February, 1900 hrs.

League

Ian V Neil (Tornelo IAN to offer dates)

Martin V Marc

Peter V Phil

Justin has the bye

Venue Perter Bray's

2026 League table

	Pl	W	D	L	Pts
Neil
Justin
Peter
Martin
Marc
Phil
Ian

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