Here is the latest update from the chess world:

Tournament Highlights

• Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Semifinals: In a surprising turn, GM Vincent Keymer defeated world number-one GM Magnus Carlsen in the first game of the semifinals. The other semifinal between GM Fabiano Caruana and GM Javokhir Sindarov ended in a draw, though Sindarov missed a significant opportunity to secure a win. chess.com

Notable Events

• Magnus Carlsen's Departure from FIDE Events: Magnus Carlsen has announced his withdrawal from FIDE-sanctioned events due to ongoing tensions with FIDE's president, Arkady Dvorkovich. This decision impacts Norway's participation in the 2026 Chess Olympiad, as Carlsen's absence will be keenly felt. ft.com
  

• Hans Niemann's Journey: Grandmaster Hans Niemann, currently ranked 20th globally, has faced significant challenges following a 2022 cheating scandal. While he admits to past online cheating, he denies any in-person misconduct. Banned from major tournaments, Niemann has been rebuilding his career through minor competitions and…

Here is the latest update from the chess world:

Tournament Highlights

• Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025: The prestigious tournament in Wijk aan Zee concluded with a remarkable performance by the younger generation. World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, tied for first place with Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, also 18, both scoring 8.5/13. Praggnanandhaa clinched the title after a narrow victory in the tiebreaks. Notably, four players under 21—Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Arjun Erigaisi—finished among the top eight, signaling a generational shift in elite chess. ft.com

Notable Events

• Call for FIDE President's Resignation: Jan Henric Buettner, head of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour, and former World Champion Magnus Carlsen have called for the resignation of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. This follows unsuccessful negotiations regarding the tour's designation as a 'World Championship.' Despite removing the 'World Championship' label from their events, Buettner and Carlsen insist that Dvorkovich honor his earlier promise to resign if…

Here is the latest update from the chess world:

Tournament Highlights

• Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025: The prestigious tournament in Wijk aan Zee is underway. After eight rounds, World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju is tied for the lead with 5.5 points, sharing the top position with Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu. Gukesh has favorable pairings in the remaining rounds, giving him a good chance to finish first. ft.com

Notable Events

• Magnus Carlsen's Freestyle Chess Initiative: Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen is promoting Freestyle Chess, a variant where back row pieces are randomized. He has been actively participating in Freestyle events and continues to raise his profile in this new format. ft.com

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Here is the latest update from the chess world:

Tournament Highlights

• Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025: The prestigious tournament is underway in Wijk aan Zee. In Round 2, R. Praggnanandhaa secured a victory against Pentala Harikrishna, while reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju played a fighting draw. ESPN

Notable Events

• Passing of Robert Hübner: Renowned German grandmaster Robert Hübner, a four-time world title candidate, passed away at the age of 76. Hübner was celebrated for his deep analytical skills and significant contributions to chess literature. Financial Times
  

• Magnus Carlsen's Dress Code Dispute: Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen was initially disqualified from the World Rapid Championships for violating the dress code by wearing jeans. Following discussions, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) relaxed the dress code, allowing Carlsen to return to the tournament. AP News
  

I thought this blog post hit on an interesting theme -- do chess website features that make us want to play chess reduce our agency? https://lichess.org/@/SayChessClassical/blog/are-online-chess-players-trapped-pigeons/JPMnLrTC

Messing around with the computer to get my OBS settings right. Looking forward to live streaming soon! #chesscoachrobert #youtube #twitch

https://lichess.org/xAQeYeoQ

I'm publishing a series of videos to make learning and reviewing the moves for various openings easy and quick! Here's the first one, intended for players beginning to learn the openings, their names, and basic ideas. https://youtu.be/UHDCLE6yPdk

Black to play. Win before White does.