The theme of this issue is non-server games. All moves from the games presented were either sent through the US Postal Service or by email.Please… Read More »
Annotated Games

11 years after earning her final IM norm, 37-year-old American WGM Tatev Abrahamyan crossed 2400 FIDE for the first time to become eligible for the… Read More »

Editor’s note: Since becoming Digital Editor for Chess Life Online, I have dreamt of publishing more regular wrap-ups of the sorts of… Read More »

GM Levon Aronian won his third Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title on Friday, August 15, netting a $40,000 first prize and 13 Grand Chess Tour (GCT)… Read More »

Update, August 18, 2025: This article has been updated to reflect the circumstances of GM Bryan Smith’s record-breaking loss. An earlier version of… Read More »

The USA delegation boasted 14 podium finishes — including five gold medals — across 12 sections at the XXXV Pan-American Youth Chess Festival. Led by… Read More »

The Caro-Kann Defense (Advance Variation) is, by far, the most popular opening over the last year, from June 2024 to May 2025, for players… Read More »

Normally, it would be cruel to describe anybody’s tournament as “heartbreaking” or even disappointing because they “only” tied for second place.… Read More »

After a week of competition, the final round of the 125th annual U.S. Open begins at 3 p.m. CDT in Middleton, WI, with a spot in this October’s U.S.… Read More »

At the U.S. Open, we know there are a ton of chess players around, but it doesn’t always feel that way during the first few days. Some players are… Read More »