British Chess Magazine October 2025

In 2014, Keith Arkell was handed a gift: FIDE lowered the age for senior chess to 50+ and, at 53, he jumped straight in. It’s been a tremendously successful 11 years, during which time Keith has put together a list of accolades that cements his place at the top - he’s been a European champion, tied for a World title, carried England to multiple medals in team competitions and, on the domestic front, won the British Senior Championship three years running. Add to the list of major titles and medals the numerous senior tournament victories he’s racked up, and it’s been a Herculean achievement. With that in mind, you’d be forgiven for thinking he might be considering slowing down, donning the proverbial slippers in front of a cosy fire and…

The ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand witnessed chess history unfold over two dramatic weeks in September 2025, as the fourth edition of the FIDE Grand Swiss delivered the most unpredictable qualifying tournament in recent memory. With 116 players in the Open and 56 taking part in the Women’s event competing for just four precious Candidates spots, the tournament will be remembered for its fighting spirit, excitement, and uncertainty until the very end, where youth challenged experience and where favourites faltered. The FIDE Grand Swiss is one of the most significant tournaments in the World Chess Championship cycle, featuring many of the world’s strongest chess players. Launched in 2019 (with the women’s event starting in 2021), the 11-round Swiss system tournament is held every two years. Considered as one of…

In the Women’s event, on 8/11, Vaishali Rameshbabu and Kateryna Lagno tied for first and both qualified for the Candidates, but Vaishali took top spot on tiebreak. It was her second consecutive Grand Swiss victory - something never achieved before in either section. The women’s tournament showcased close but different paths to success. Vaishali’s journey was more turbulent, featuring spectacular victories and one costly defeat, ultimately decided by her superior clutch play. Kateryna Lagno’s route was built on solid, uncompromising chess – she remained unbeaten throughout while gradually accumulating advantages. Vaishali’s consecutive victories in the Grand Swiss (2023 and 2025) are a historic achievement unmatched in either the Open or Women’s section. Even the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, went to X to congratulate. Vaishali’s performance was characterised by a…

The dust has mostly settled on next year's Candidates fields, though some spots remain up for grabs. The women's tournament has seven players locked in, with just the FIDE Women's Events winner to be determined. Assaubayeva sits pretty atop the Women's Circuit standings and looks set to claim that final berth - small consolation after her heartbreaking near-miss in Samarkand. The open section stays messy, five spots still floating around the World Cup and other qualifying routes. Praggnanandhaa's Circuit dominance gives him a safety net despite his Grand Swiss flop, while others like Keymer and Abdusattorov must hunt for alternative paths. FIDE CANDIDATES TOURNAMENT FIDE WOMEN’S CANDIDATES TOURNAMENT…

Anyone following chess's recent battles with technology won't be shocked by what happened to Kirill Shevchenko. But the severity of his punishment - becoming only the fourth player ever stripped of a grandmaster title - sends a message that goes well beyond one Ukrainian's fall from grace. The 22-year-old’s case, which concluded with FIDE’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission rejecting his final appeal on 28 August this year, offers a window into chess’s deepest modern challenge: how do you police a game built on trust when a smartphone can outplay Magnus Carlsen? FROM HERO TO PARIAH There’s cruel irony in Shevchenko’s story. Here was a player who embodied chess’s most inspiring narratives - a teenage prodigy from war-torn Ukraine achieving his GM title at 14, representing his country at the European…

The Mindsports International Open featured several grandmasters and international masters. Igor Janik and Brandon Clarke finished first with 7/9; Janik winning the tiebreak. Brandon Clarke made a grandmaster norm and we look at two of his games starting with the round eight win against The Caro Kann. Brandon Clarke – Li Wenxiang ]V Mindsports Int Open London ENG (8.4) 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 ♙f5 4.♘c3 e6 White now chooses an aggressive variation attacking the black bishop, a good choice when a win is needed. 5.g4 ♙g6 6.♘ge2 c5 7.h4 h5 The alternative is 7...cxd4 8.♘xd4 h5 with complex play. 8.♘f4 ♙h7 After 8...cxd4 9.♘xg6 fxg6 10.♕xd4 ♘c6 is satisfactory for Black, but he prefers to keep the pawn structure undamaged and surrender the pawn on h5. 9.♘xh5 cxd4 10.♕xd4…