Chess Base

• The American Cup - Live!

  The American Cup, one of the United States' premier chess tournaments, returns to Saint Louis. Now in its fifth year, the event runs on March 3-12 at the Saint Louis Chess Club, featuring sixteen of America's top chess talents. With $400,000 in prize money up for grabs, the competitors will prove their mettle under mounting pressure in the double-elimination knockout format. | Follow the games live with expert commentary starting at 18.00 CET (13.00 ET, 22.30 IST) | Pictured: Carissa Yip | Photo: Austin Fuller

• A billionaire supports chess talents

  We all know about the explosive growth of Indian chess: super-talents springing like mushrooms in the rain. But have you noticed that there are first signs of a similar development in Turkey? Is that going to be the next great chess hub? Well, yes, if things go the way investor and entrepreneur Evren Üçok has planned. Here's what he is doing for Turkish – and international – chess talents.

• 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.