Chess Base

1. Women's World Cup - Live!

   The 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup is taking place in Batumi, Georgia on 5-16 July. Hosted at the Grand Bellagio Hotel, the 107-player knockout tournament offers three spots in the 2026 Candidates. With many of the world's top female players competing, Batumi promises high-stakes action in one of the calendar's most prestigious events. | Follow the games live starting at 13.00 CEST (7.00 ET, 16.30 IST)

2. Summer Special: For positional and strategic players: A 1.d4 and a 1.Nf3 repertoire

   How should a positional player begin with White - 1.d4 or 1.Nf3? In his Fritztrainer course, Sipke Ernst presents a practical 1.d4 repertoire. And in his Grandmaster course on 1.Nf3, Felix Blohberger also focuses on teaching ideas rather than memorizing lines. It's a tough choice! Stay flexible and take a look at both courses — this week (July 14–20), they’re available at a Summer Special price.

3. Biel: Start of the Grand Master Triathlon – favourites take the lead

   The Grandmaster Triathlon began on Sunday in Biel with the discipline of rapid chess. After five games of rapid chess the two favourites, Vladimir Fedoseev and Aravindh Chithambaram (pictured), lead in the Masters. Wojtaszek, the 2020 Biel winner, is lurking just behind them. Theodorou took the lead in the Challengers, remaining undefeated, as did his closest rival Hakobyan. GM Benjamin Bok won the open rapid one-day-tournament. The Dutchman prevailed against 149 competitors ahead of GM Mikhail Kobalia and Chen Yuan. | Photos: Biel Chess Festival