New In Chess

The pre-release Box set is still available: newinchess.com/naroditsky-mem… Let's break down the details. $250 for the Memorial Box Set or the equivalent in Euros. 20% goes to the Foundation. The books have been fully edited and have new layouts and designs. The box sets are numbered and comes with a small laminated diploma, as well as free shipping. New In Chess gets less income from this pre-release, than we would if you buy the books from us when they are released to the public. If you want the books in paperback or you cannot afford the $250 cost, you will find the books on general release 26 August through chess specialists and in October through Amazon and other channels. If you want to support the Naroditsky Memorial fund, you can do it here: cltccf.org/naroditskymemo…

A small breakdown of the math. The direct shipping from our warehouse in Poland to the US is close to $100. The books have a list price each of $39.99. $50 goes to the foundation. And the laminated certificate of sponsorship is a little extra touch. We worked out b.....'s off to get this ready in time for the event. The deadlines were not achieved, but the books had to be well done to be released. The copies Peter are showing in the video are actually one off-set print and two digital prints. We printed the two endgame books with in 10 digital prints, so they could arrive in Charlotte the day before the event. The box sets shipping (late this week for the first batch), will all be off-set prints. MASTERING POSITIONAL CHESS was edited by Jacob Aagaard, MASTERING COMPLEX ENDGAMES by Frank Erwich and Richard Palliser, and MASTERING PRACTICAL ENDGAMES by Peter Boel. The books have been thoroughly computer checked an adjusted.

The pre-release Box set is still available: newinchess.com/naroditsky-mem… Let's break down the details. $250 for the Memorial Box Set or the equivalent in Euros. 20% goes to the Foundation. The books have been fully edited and have new layouts and designs. The box sets are numbered and comes with a small laminated diploma, as well as free shipping. New In Chess gets less income from this pre-release, than we would if you buy the books from us when they are released to the public. If you want the books in paperback or you cannot afford the $250 cost, you will find the books on general release 26 August through chess specialists and in October through Amazon and other channels. If you want to support the Naroditsky Memorial fund, you can do it here: cltccf.org/naroditskymemo…

Funny

One thing I’ve noticed after more than two decades of professional chess is that almost everyone dramatically underestimates how much preparation has changed. People still imagine opening prep as memorizing a few lines from a book. That world is long gone. Today it’s databases with millions of games, engines stronger than any human has ever been, neural networks evaluating positions that used to be considered equal, cloud computing, custom scripts, opening trees, novelties hidden 25 moves deep, and increasingly AI helping organize all of it. But here’s the funny part. The biggest difference between the very top players isn’t usually who has the strongest engine. We all have access to incredibly strong engines. It’s knowing what to ask. You can spend six hours analyzing a position and learn almost nothing, or ask the right questions and discover an idea in twenty minutes that completely changes your understanding. Over the years I’ve also realized that preparation isn’t really about finding “the best move.” It’s about finding positions where: you understand what’s going on, your opponent probably doesn’t, and the practical decisions are difficult. That’s why sometimes you’ll see a super-GM voluntarily enter a position that’s objectively only equal—or even slightly worse. If it’s easier to play for one side, the engine evaluation isn’t the whole story. Another misconception is that preparation ends once the game starts. The first novelty is often just the beginning. After that you’re relying on pattern recognition, intuition built from thousands of hours of analysis, psychology, time management, and occasionally just stubbornness. Chess has become both more scientific and more human at the same time. The computers keep getting stronger, but understanding which positions fit you is still something no engine can optimize perfectly. At least not yet.

Think smart - Calculate less, not more! Save 40% on our latest Book of the Week: Excelling at Chess by GM Jacob Aagaard is now available at just $11.99. forwardchess.com/product/excell…

eBook of the Week: Excelling at Chess Some players become good at chess, some very good, while others excel at the game. GM Jacob Aagaard identifies the key factors that separate the very strong players from the rest. He includes chapters on when to calculate, how to evaluate positions, how to study theory, how to study the endgame and when to force the position. forwardchess.com/product/excell…

The NMRB would not have been possible without our sponsors! Thank you to: ♟️ @chesscom ♟️ @HouseOfStaunton ♟️ Crown Trophy ♟️ @NewInChess ♟️ Dunstan Group ♟️ @TheRealAAU ♟️ @USChess ♟️ @dgtna ♟️ The Social Rook We couldn't have done it without your support!

@NewInChess NM Dana Mackenzie helped Daniel shape the old edition of Mastering Positional Chess, based on Daniel’s account (I recall him mentioning it on YT). I don’t envy @GMJacobAagaard - editing it must have been so tough and emotional. I can’t wait to buy them! danamackenzie.com/blog/?p=7196

My chess book reviews chess.business/blog/ for the Australian and New Zealand Newsletters. The lastest one features @richardpalliser and his latest tome. @NewInChess #chessbooks

New book: The Risk Assessment in Chess Chess is a game of controlled risk: every decision asks you to balance calculation, judgment, and timing. This book explores how risk has shaped human decision-making - and why chess is such a powerful example of it. New book from IM Ranko Szuhanek, author of “Beating the Najdorf Rare Lines”. newinchess.com/the-risk-asses…

New Dojo Talks is out! 🎙️ @GMJacobAagaard joins the pod to talk chess books, publishing, & chess training for all levels 📚 Check it out 👉 youtu.be/MdzOua59Fxw

Congratulations to GM Javokhir Sindarov on winning the first annual Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz! With 7.5 out of 9 pts, Sindarov won clear first place, with Wesley So winning second with 7 points. In third place, NM Ethan Sheehan had an unprecedented run, earning 6 pts!

Still plenty available!

@bsaccount133 @GMJacobAagaard I will talk to Charlotte about producing a commemorative set for the 2nd memorial event in 2027.

Exclusive: The Naroditsky Memorial Boxset is limited to 250 individually numbered units. A part of the proceeds goes towards the Naroditsky Fund. The boxset collects Daniel Naroditsky’s three acclaimed hardcover works, comprising 1,104 pages, on positional chess and endgames in a lasting tribute to his remarkable chess legacy. newinchess.com/naroditsky-mem…

The digital edition of @NewInChess was actually even better than the print version, but I happily paid for both because I also like having the physical magazine in my collection. Now they’re moving the digital edition from their proprietary app to @ForwardChess. I don’t usually welcome changes when it comes to something I treasure as much as my magazine collection, but Forward Chess is definitely a name I trust.

It's a pity that chess magazines do so little on social media. Sometimes I post the cover of their latest issue here, because they don't do it themselves. Magazines (and most print media) are like an "endangered species". But they're part of the cultural heritage of our game. Consider subscribing to one, if you don't already.

Pleased to share that I won the Creator Invitational at the first annual Naroditsky Memorial tournament. It was an honor to receive the trophy from Daniel's mother, Elena Naroditsky. Thank you to the wonderful people at @CLTchesscenter, the players, and the many fans who came to watch and celebrate Daniel's legacy. We will always remember you, Danya ❤️

Solution to yesterday's exercise 1.Rxe6 1...fxe6 2.Bxd5+- 1...Qxd4 2.Nxd4 fxe6 3.Nxe6 and White wins a pawn

Me siento muy afortunado de colaborar con la Fed. Catalana en su programa de promoción de jóvenes talentos, y de hacerlo al lado de estos grandes profesionales. Enhorabuena a los integrantes del equipo y muchos éxitos en los próximos retos.

Which combination would White have here? #chess