John Hartmann

(1/2) A bit of personal news: my duties with @uschess are shifting a bit. I am now editor of Chess Life and Chess Life Kids, and relinquishing day-to-day digital duties. I will still be creating online content, but mainly longer-form writing and video.

@dgriffinchess @Running18834415 @NewInChess July 2025! We have a one year running paywall, so check our digital archives in July!

@Running18834415 @NewInChess Re. this endgame, a few years ago I translated a theoretical article by Yuri Averbakh (first published in 'Chess in the USSR' in 1956) for 'Chess Life'. I'm not sure when if/when it was published; @hartmannchess may be able to advise. Issues up to 2024 are downloadable, gratis.

Quick question, @NewInChess: do you have any books that explain the two knights vs pawn endgame step by step? Most coverage I’ve seen focuses on theory (Troitsky lines, etc.), but not the underlying method.

@thestrongchess @PHChess I wonder if this newly hatched PR is part of this? github.com/official-stock…

@hartmannchess @PHChess yeah maybe I will move my stuff to either nodes or time; not sure yet

For anyone using Stockfish 18 or the latest devs -- are you noticing that time to depth is much worse than 17.1, especially around 18-24 ply and especially if you use a lot of threads? Not tagging @PHChess since I know he only uses Deep Fritz 13 in his current work.

@thestrongchess @PHChess (the reason being that some scripts aren't getting to the 17.1 depths in the same time; fwiw, I'm sticking with 17.1 for the time being)

@thestrongchess @PHChess Right, this all makes sense, and I think I've seen PRs that change the shape of the tree in this way. It's just... confusing. And the reason I'm asking is exactly the reason you mention -- I guess depth 19 is the new depth 21.

@thestrongchess @PHChess Why do the devs not consider this a problem?

@hartmannchess @PHChess This GitHub issue for example: github.com/official-stock…

Thanks to Ding Liren for the interview; I really appreciated the opportunity to hear some of his thoughts. open.substack.com/pub/underpromo…

Hey @petlibro y'all having some issues? Three feeders suddenly can't connect to wifi?

@PHChess @GMJuditPolgar Frans Morsch did write the best Fritz versions for sure

@hartmannchess @GMJuditPolgar

Growing up, I always thought the famous @GMJuditPolgar- Kasparov game, was a model game for black in how to play the Scheveningen. Perhaps it is, but only from a later stage. White is actually better well into the middle game!

It'd be fantastic to have this kind of piece about the effect NNUE engines have had in Chess Life. DMs are open, GMs and engine experts! technologyreview.com/2026/02/27/113…

I remember seeing this quote from Jan Timman in an old issue of Inside Chess and thinking yes, that's exactly right. Adieu to one of the greats. But so long as we have his games, studies, and books, he will never truly be gone.

Sitting here listening to John Boutte sing "American Tune" from the @WWOZ two week archive and ... yes indeed

@chesscom @OpenAI I mean 4...Nxe4 is the theoretical move after I reverse the king and queen

hey🤔 @OpenAI tell me what’s wrong with this chess board?

@stockfishchess @USChess When I look at this list I'm shocked at how many engines are better than Dragon 3.3, but I'm also kind of surprised how it has managed to not fall completely off the cliff despite not being developed for a few years.

Early testing for @stockfishchess Stockfish 18: +19 to 17.1, +40 to SF 17. Video for @uschess coming within the week. Check out my full (raw) rating list here: dropbox.com/scl/fi/zdsrv4b…

@peternewhall @stockfishchess @USChess @MagnusCarlsen The ratings are arbitrary. I just pegged SF 17.1 to 3500.

@hartmannchess @stockfishchess @USChess What are the odds on @MagnusCarlsen actually playing Hiarcs15.3.1-engine to an even match? In other words, are these rating guesses sort of just for computers or should a human with a similar ELO be competitive (and if so, what time control)?

Are you a graphic designer? Do you have a keen eye? Do you love chess literature? (Last one is negotiable) We're hiring! Let's take Chess Life and Chess Life Kids to the next level! new.uschess.org/news/us-chess-…

@stockfishchess @USChess Specs for those interested: one thread, 120+1 time control, 16 games running concurrently using TCEC SuperFinal openings from 15-28 (not including 19 as I couldn't find that opening book).

Horrible to see the bloodbath over at the @washingtonpost. We don't pay fantastically at Chess Life, but if anyone affected is chess conversant and looking for some freelance work, I might have a few items. Sports, mental health, general features. DMs are open. #savethepost