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FIDE World Cup 2025 R4.2: Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa and Harikrishna to play tie-breaks

12/11/2025 -

Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and Pentala Harikrishna will have to play tie-breaks tomorrow at FIDE World Cup 2025. Arjun and Praggnanandhaa played well contested draws against Peter Leko (HUN) and Daniil Dubov respectively. Harikrishna blundered a pawn and found himself in a bit of pickle. However, he managed to avert any disaster and escape with a draw against Nils Grandelius (SWE). Pranav Venkatesh and Karthik Venkataraman got eliminated by Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) and Liem Quang Le (VIE) respectively. Round 4 tie-break games start tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

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Muthaiah Al clear first at 11th Liffre Open 2025

12/11/2025 -

IM FT Muthaiah Al scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win 11th Liffre Open A (>1650) 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. FM Louis Vallee (FRA) and Pierre-Basile Coset (FRA) scored 6.5/9 each to secure second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was €5000. The top three prizes were €1000, €800 and €600 each respectively. The seven-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by Echiquier du Pays de Liffré from 18th to 24th October 2025 at Intergenerational Space, Liffre in France. IM Nitin S, WGM Priyanka Nutakki and IM Srinath Rao S V scored 6/9 each. They were placed seventh, eighth and ninth according to tie-breaks. Photo: Official site

Shyaam Nikhil dominates 1st RK Foundation Sivakasi CS & SCC Rapid Rating Open 2025

12/11/2025 -

GM Shyaam Nikhil P clinched the title at RK Foundation Sivakasi CC & SCS 1st FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament 2025. Grandmaster Shyaam, the recent World Railways Gold medalist, displayed his formidable strength and took to an unbeaten 8.5/9. He finished half a point ahead of the rest of the field to secure a well-deserved victory. Two players IM Murali Krishnan B T and FM Maheswaran P finished with eight points each, and were placed second and third respectively based on tie-break scores. The tournament featured a total prize fund of ₹200000, with the top three prizes of ₹26000, ₹22000, and ₹17000 respectively, each accompanied by a trophy. This one-day, nine-round FIDE Rated Rapid Open Tournament was jointly organized by RK Foundation, Sivakasi Chess Club, Sivakasi Chess Sparklers, and Ramco Institute of Technology, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu. Photo: IA Jeyam Subbaiah C

Matthias Wuellenweber on all new functions for ChessBase 26

12/11/2025 -

Matthias Wuellenweber presents ChessBase 26’s major innovations, beginning with the Enhanced Opening Report, which automatically generates deep statistical and thematic analyses — including pioneer players, popularity graphs, and tactical training positions — all tailored by Elo level to show how openings perform from club players to grandmasters. He introduces new analytical tools, such as Monte Carlo Analysis (engine-vs-engine simulations revealing true practical chances), AI plan descriptions that explain positions in natural language, and piece-manoeuvre visualizations that display typical movement patterns on the board. Finally, he showcases improved usability and design updates, including faster ray-traced 3D boards, streamlined engine management, upgraded duplicate-game detection, and modernized database icons for a smoother, more visually appealing experience. Photo: ChessBase

World Cup 2025 R4.1: Jose Martinez outplays Sarana, Praggnanandhaa makes a narrow escape against Dubov

11/11/2025 -

All five Indians drew the first game of the fourth round of FIDE World Cup 2025. R Praggnanandhaa is still struggling to find his footing at his event. After a questionable choice of opening against a creative player like, Daniil Dubov, Praggnanandhaa landed himself in trouble out of the opening. Somehow he managed to escape with a draw when the former World Rapid champion traded queens when he missed a winning tactic. Arjun Erigaisi made the fastest draw of the round in just 20 moves against Peter Leko (HUN) and the game lasting barely an hour. Pranav Venkatesh, Pentala Harikrishna and Karthik Venkataraman played solid draws. Round 4 Game 2 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Ilamparthi A R becomes the 90th Grandmaster of India

11/11/2025 -

IM Ilamparthi A R became the 90th Indian to achieve the Grandmaster title on Thursday 30th October 2025. Ilamparthi earned his first GM-norm in November 2023 at Ha Noi GM Round-Robin in Vietnam. A year and a day later, he scored his second GM-norm at Singapore International Open in November 2024. The teenager got a published rating of 2505 in February 2025 rating list. Eight months later, he scored his final GM-norm at GM4 Festival šaha "Bijeljina 2025" in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The former World Under-14 champion showed signs of excellence early in his career. The GM title was inevitable for him. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Brandon Jacobson clinches 3rd Annemasse Festival Masters 2025, Rathanvel V S third

11/11/2025 -

GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) and GM Mahdi Gholami Orimi (IRI) scored 7/9 each at 3rd Annemasse Festival Masters (≥1900) 2025. Brandon won the tournament on tie-breaks, Mahdi was placed second. Six players - IM Rathanvel V S, FM Namibt Singh Walia, GM Sayantan Das, Alexandre Bacrot (FRA), IM Sidhant Mohapatra and IM Aradhya Garg scored 6.5/9 each. They were placed third to eighth respectively. Namitbir earned his final IM-norm and became one of the latest International Master of India. The total prize fund of the entire festival was combining three categories was €26000 + cups and medals. The top three prizes in Masters was €3000, €2300 and €1700 along with a cup each. Photo: Club d’Échecs du Bassin Annemassien

Alexander Bagrationi wins 42nd Muensterland Open 2025, Anwesh Upadhyaya second

11/11/2025 -

GM Alexander Bagrationi (ISR), Dr. IM Anwesh Upadhyaya, GM Hagen Poetsch (GER), FM Liu Yi (AUS) and Lennart Schröder (GER) scored 7/9 each at 42nd Muensterland Open 2025. Bagriatoni became champion, the remaining four were placed second to fifth. Anwesh drew against both champion and eventual second runner-up. Bagrationi, Poetsch and Schröder remained undefeated among the top five. The top three prizes were €1600, €1100 and €850 each respectively. The eight-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by SK Muenster 1932 at Hiltrup City Hall in Muenster, Germany from 11th to 18th October 2025. Photo: SK Muenster 1932

ChessBase’26: Expand Your Chess Horizon!

10/11/2025 -

On November 12th, 2025, the time has come: ChessBase '26 will be released and available in the ChessBase India Shop. Don’t miss out — get ChessBase’26 with its many exciting new features! Look forward to the latest edition of your chess database software and order it from tomorrow in our shop. Then you can start enjoying all the new features right away. ChessBase '26 and Mega Database 2026 are available now for pre-order on our shop. Upgrade from previous version is also available. Buy now if you haven't yet. Use Code: FIDEWC to get 25% OFF on any product in the ChessBase '26 and Mega Database 2026 collection. Both of them launch on 12th November 2025. Photo: ChessBase

Arnav Maheshwari triumphs at 33rd Tamil Nadu IM-norm RR 2025, Samyak Dharewa second

10/11/2025 -

FM Arnav Maheshwari and FM Samyak Dharewa scored an unbeaten 7/9 at Sakthi Group 33rd Tamil Nadu IM-norm Round-Robin 2025. Arnav won the tournament on tie-breaks, Samyak secured second place. GM Evgeniy Podolchenko scored sole 6.5/9 to finish third. Both Arnav and Samyak scored an IM-norm each. This is their second IM-norm. They gained 46.8 and 46 Elo rating points each respectively. The seven-day nine-round Round-Robin rating tournament was organized by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association from 21st to 27th October at Hotel Chennai Le Palace in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Photo: Tamil Nadu State Chess Association

Harsha Bharathakoti wins 33rd Midwest Class 2025 Premier

10/11/2025 -

GM Harsha Bharathakoti and FM Sharvesh R Deviprasath (USA) scored an unbeaten 4.5/5 each at 33rd Midwest Class 2025 Premier (>2000). Harsha and Sharvesh shared the first prize. Their sole draw of the event was against each other in the penultimate round. The total prize fund was US$ 4200. The total prize fund was US$ 20000. The top three prizes were US$ 2000, $1000 and $500 in the Premier section. The three-day five round Rating Open tournament was organized by Continental Chess Association at Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel in Wheeling, Chicago, USA from 10th to 12th October 2025. This is Harsha's second rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

FIDE World Cup 2025 R3 TB: Karthik Venkataraman conquers Bogdan-Daniel Deac

10/11/2025 -

The two-time National champion, Karthik Venkataraman eliminated Romania no.1, Bogdan-Daniel Deac in Round 3 Tie-breaks of FIDE World Cup 2025. Karthik was winning the first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game. However, his opponent somehow managed to escape with a draw. Then Karthik capitalized on his advantage in the second game and went on to win the game and match. He will face Liem Quang Le (VIE) in the fourth round. S L Narayanan and Vidit Gujrathi were eliminated by Yangyi Yu (CHN) and Sam Shankland (USA) respectively. Five Indians are in Round 4 comprising of 32 players. Today is the first of two rest days. Round 4 Game 1 starts tomorrow Tuesday 11th October from 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Shou Otsuka superb at Nagoya Open 2025

10/11/2025 -

Mayur Gondhalekar and his good friend, Sheldon Donaldson regularly keeps us updated about the Japan chess scene. Sheldon writes a blog about his experience of playing at Nagoya Open 2025. The Canadian origin, currently residing in Japan, Sheldon's article is full of high quality photos and some interesting moments from his games. He loves playing, having fun, analyzing and making us enjoy various moments from his games. Check out his account of the tournament, which took place in Nagoya, Japan. Shou Otsuka (JPN) won the tournament scoring an unbeaten 5.5/6. IM Shinya Kojima (JPN) and Tyler Scott (JPN) scored 5/6 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. Photos: Sheldon Donaldson

FIDE World Cup 2025 R3.2: Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Pranav V and Harikrishna advance

09/11/2025 -

Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Pranav Venkatesh and Pentala Harikrishna have advanced to the fourth round of FIDE World Cup 2025. Arjun played for a win. However, his opponent, Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) did not budge, so draw was the maximum Arjun could get. Praggnanandhaa is getting back to his shape as he scored a fine victory by sacrificing an exchange against Robert Hovhannisyan (ARM). Pranav and Harikrishna drew their respective games against Titas Stremavicius (LTU) and Daniel Dardha (BEL) respectively. World Champion - D Gukesh, Diptayan Ghosh and Pranesh M lost their respective games to get eliminated. Three Indians - S L Narayanan, Vidit Gujrathi and Karthik Venkataraman will play tie-break games today. Round 3 Tie-breaks start today from 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

These World Cup photos took my imagination on a trip

08/11/2025 -

One of the greatest freedoms in this world is... IMAGINATION! If you don't have the liberty to imagine, life would be so boring. We all do it. You see a luxury car, you imagine having it. You read a tempting food recipe, and you imagine tasting it. You look at the World Cup trophy, and you imagine winning it. How important imagination is in our lives! With the ongoing FIDE World Cup 2025, we are witnessing amazing games every day. But the cherry on top is the beautiful moments captured by the photographers. Some photos make your imagination wander into unexpected stories. This article is exactly that little adventure. Photo: Eteri Kublashvili

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