The new Komodo Dragon 3 engine has gained 100 Elo points in playing strength over its predecessor when using a processor core in blitz. That's a huge improvement for a program that already reached at an Elo level of over 3500! The gain is even greater (120 to 130 Elo points) for unbalanced openings, e.g. rare variations or gambits. On multiple cores or longer time controls the Elo gain can be somewhat smaller, due to the higher draw range.

ChessBase Magazine is the most comprehensive and sophisticated chess magazine ever. World-class players analyse their brilliant games and explain the ideas behind the moves. Opening specialists present the latest trends in opening theory and exciting ideas for your repertoire. Master trainers in tactics, strategy and endgame show you exactly the tricks and techniques you need to be a successful tournament player! Available as download (incl. booklet as pdf file) or on DVD with accompanying booklet by post.
 

New edition – more than 11 hrs. of videos! Scarcely any world champion has managed to captivate both chess lovers and the general public to the same extent as Magnus Carlsen. The enormously talented Norwegian arrived on the scene as if from nowhere, without having been systematically trained within the structures of a major chessplaying nation such as Russia, the Ukraine or more recently, China. Rather, his development had taken place in an almost totally private setting. Upon recognizing his son’s unbelievable talent, his father took him out of school, bought a camper van and, together with the whole family, set about traveling from tournament to tournament. The rough diamond from Norway was gradually polished in countless tournament games, and was soon receiving invitations to top tournaments, where he proved his incredibly deep understanding of chess against even the world’s top players. Thanks to Carlsen’s style, computer-supported opening preparation has faded somewhat into the background, with a greater importance being placed on the sporting side of chess – deep strategy, extensive endgame knowledge, energy and endurance are the trump cards of the new chess megastar. By 2010, Carlsen was already number one in the world ranking list; in 2013 he also claimed the title of World Champion, a title he has now successfully defended several times.