Chess Base

• Bundesliga: Baden-Baden win despite leaving top board vacant

  Fabiano Caruana is unavailable to play for Baden-Baden due to his commitment at the Freestyle Chess Finals in South Africa, and the same applies to Germany's number one, Vincent Keymer. Baden-Baden thus left Caruana's board vacant and still managed to beat Deggendorf – even though Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Baden-Baden) also lost his game. The former serial champions are now only 2½ board points behind the victorious Viernheim. After three rounds, they are the only two teams in the league not to have lost any match points. | Pictured: Matthias Bluebaum (Schachfreunde Deizisau) commentating his...

• London Chess Classic: Five draws in round nine, Firouzja grabs second place

  All five games in the final round of the London Chess Classic ended drawn, leaving the standings unchanged following Nodirbek Abdusattorov's clear tournament victory with a round to spare. The Uzbek grandmaster finished with an outstanding 7½/9 and a 2932 performance rating, while Alireza Firouzja (pictured) secured second place despite missing a late winning chance against Nikolas Theodorou. Nikita Vitiugov completed the podium after a steady event that included two wins following an early setback. | Photo: John Saunders

• The inspiring story of Alojzije Jankovic, enthusiastic chess promoter

  On the rest day of the FIDE World Cup, on 20 November, I decided to interview GM Alojzije Jankovic. Every time I have met him, I have always been amazed by his warmth and infectious enthusiasm. A man who has worn many hats in the chess world, Jankovic carries the rare combination of passion, humility and purpose. A strong GM who once reached a 2593 rating, Jankovic is also a long-time television presenter in Croatia, Vice President of the European Chess Union, author, theoretician, trainer, commentator and researcher. Let's dive into his multi-faceted life.