Chess Base

• Prague: Some you win, some you lose

  Round one of the Masters in Prague produced four wins and one draw. In round two things proceeded at a more leisurely pace with three draws and two wins. But the decisive games were interesting. David Anton (pictured) had an inferior position out of the opening against Jorden Van Foreest, but then won in 27 moves. And Hans Niemann had a winning position against Aravindh Chithambaram but overlooked a tactical possibility in time pressure and lost. | Photo: Petr Vrabec / Prague Chess Festival

• Saint Louis Masters: Caruana, Lodici and Durarbayli share the lead

  After four rounds of the Saint Louis Masters, three players share the lead on 3½/4, with Fabiano Caruana joined by Vasif Durarbayli (pictured) and Lorenzo Lodici at the top of the standings. Caruana is set to take a half-point bye in round five, while Lodici will have the white pieces against Durarbayli in the clash of co-leaders. Nine players stand just half a point behind the leading pack. | Photo: Crystal Fuller

• Muradli and Fateliyeva claim national titles in Azerbaijan Championships

  Mahammad Muradli and Ulviyya Fataliyeva have been crowned champions at the Azerbaijan Chess Championships, held in Baku from 6 to 22 February. Muradli secured his third national title by defeating Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in the open final, while Ulviyya Fataliyeva claimed her first women's crown after a tiebreak victory over Ayan Allahverdiyeva. | Photo: Azerbaijani Chess Federation