Chess Base

• American Cup: Aronian and Yip win Elimination Brackets

  The contenders of the Grand Finals in both sections of the American Cup were confirmed in Saint Louis after the conclusion of the Elimination Bracket finals. In the open section, Levon Aronian joined Wesley So in the Grand Final after defeating Fabiano Caruana. Meanwhile, in the women's event, Carissa Yip secured a rematch with defending champion Alice Lee by overcoming Tatev Abrahamyan. | Photo: Saint Louis Chess Club / Crystal Fuller

• Can you handle pawns?

  Can you stop the black pawn on a2 from promoting – and in fact win this position for White? Today we have a new challenge that will tell you if you can handle pawn promotions like a master. Test your skills on four tricky positions. The solutions, with full video explanations, will come in a week. Learn and enjoy.

• News on the 1896 Schiffers vs Steinitz Match

  Wilhelm Steinitz had lost his World Championship title to Emanuel Lasker in 1894, but he still retained the right to a return match. That rematch was scheduled to take place in Moscow at the end of 1896. Before that, however, Steinitz played a training match against Emanuel Schiffers. Join us on a brief journey back in time to Rostov-on-Don in 1896.