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Anish Giri and R Vaishali are FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 Open and Women Champions

16/09/2025 -

GM Anish Giri (NED) defeated GM Hans Niemann (USA) to become a clear champion of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 Open. Giri scored an unbeaten 8/11, performed at 2838 and finished a half point ahead of the rest. This triumph earned himself a coveted spot in the FIDE Candidates 2026. GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER) drew against GM Alireza Firouzja (FRA) to secure second place. He also qualified to the next Candidates. Firouzja finished third and missed out his place in the Candidates. In the Women's event, GM R Vaishali created history by winning it for the second consecutive edition. She drew her final round game against the 16th Women's World Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) to successfully defend her title and win the event again. Thus, she earned herself a spot in the FIDE Women's Candidates 2026. GM Kateryna Lagno drew against IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (AZE) to also qualify to the Candidates. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

ChessBase 18 and Mega 2025 are here

ChessBase 18 is an all-new program that helps you manage all your databases as an ambitious player. Mega Database 2025 has 11 million games with over 113,000 games annotated by masters. The cost of ChessBase 18 is Rs.4499/- and the cost of Mega Database 2025 is Rs.6499/- However, if you go for the combo the total amount comes to Rs.8999 (instead of 10,998/-) helping you save Rs. 1999/-.

ChessBase 18 + Mega 2025 Combo

All-in-Chess: The Art and Amusement of Shared Control!

16/09/2025 -

What chessplayer hasn’t, when staring down disaster, dreamed of moving not their own pieces but the adversary’s, swapping defeat for a sudden, delicious triumph? Ever generous with impossible wishes, fairy composers have conjured just that: All-in-Chess! Here, either side may move either colour, within a few carefully chosen limits, of course. While it’s possible to play entire games this way, problemists summon AIC to craft zany puzzles that twist expectations and delight the imagination. If you’ve got a taste for the bizarre, the brain-twisting, and the exquisitely tricky, pull up a chair — you’ve arrived at just the right place. We’ve lined up six problems in this article, complete with detailed solutions, to guide you gently into the world of this fairy type. Plus, you get two bonus unsolved exercises to try on your own. Keep reading!

Eastern Railway convincingly clinches 37th All India Railway Team Championship 2025

16/09/2025 -

Eastern Railway scored an unbeaten 10/12 to win 37th All India Inter Railway Team Chess Championship 2025. ER defeated South Eastern Railway convincingly 3.5-0.5 in the final round to become a clear champion. The defending champion scored sole 9/12 to secure second place. They also remained undefeated. Southern Railway, South Central Railway and South Eastern Railway scored 8/12 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place according to tie-breaks. IM Sidhant Mohapatra was the top scorer for his team ER. He scored an unbeaten 4.5/6. The highest rated player of the field - GM Diptayan Ghosh and one of the top rated IMs of the country, Aronyak Ghosh scored 4/6 each. IM Arghyadip Das drew all of his games to contribute a valuable 3/6. This is ER's first triumph of this event in 17 years. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Srijit Paul dominates 5th Tarabai Shinde Rapid Rating Open 2025

16/09/2025 -

IM Srijit Paul scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 5th Tarabai Shinde Rapid Rating Open 2025. Srijit finished a half point ahead of the rest. Six players - CM Arush Chitre, FM Kush Bhagat, FM Kaivalya Sandip Nagare, Paras Dilip Bhoir, Aditya Bartakke and Kandpal Rudra scored 8/9 each. They were placed second to seventh according to tie-breaks The total prize fund was ₹300000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine-round Swiss league Rapid Rating tournament was organized by Nandakumar T Vijayamma at Agri Koli Sanskriti Bhavan in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra on 24th August 2025. This is Srijit's fifth overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Ravindra Potawad

Nubairshah wins Silver Jubilee Queenstar Rating Open 2025, Indrajeet second and P Karthikeyan third

15/09/2025 -

IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh and Indrajeet Mahindrakar scored 9/10 each at Silver Jubilee Queenstar Rating Open 2025. Nubairshah won the tournament on tie-breaks, Indrajeet was placed second. Four players scored 8.5/10 each. Out of them, GM P Karthikeyan was placed third. Nubairshah drew with the eventual second runner-up, Karthikeyan in the penultimate round. Both of them remained undefeated. The five-day ten round Swiss League Rating Open Tournament was organized by Queenstart International Chess Coaching Academy at Wet Water Resort in Gampaha, Sri Lanka from 13th to 17th August 2025. This is Nubairshah's third tournament triumph of the year. Nubairshah finished second in the Blitz Rating Open scoring 8.5/9. FM Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage (SRI) won that event scoring a perfect 9/9.

Dhanush Ragav N S is the outright winner of 1st Akshaya Institutions Rating Open 2025

15/09/2025 -

Dhanush Ragav N S scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 1st Akshaya Institutions Rating Open 2025. Five players - Sanjay S Pillai, Haridev S, Christy George, Ahaz E U and Jayanth Venkatesh scored 7.5/9. They secured second to sixth place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400001. The top three prizes were ₹50001 + trophy, ₹35000 and ₹25000 each respectively. The five-day nine round Swiss League  Rating Open Tournament was organized by Miracle School of Chess, Coimbatore at Akshaya College of Engineering and Technology in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from 20th to 24th August 2025. This is Dhanush's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA R Anantharam

Grand Swiss 2025: Can Vaishali and Arjun Erigaisi qualify to the Candidates?

15/09/2025 -

GM Hans Niemann (USA) defeated GM R Praggnanandhaa to insert himself in the leaders' group at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. Hans joined the leaders, GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER), GM Alireza Firouzja (FRA), GM Anish Giri (NED) and GM Vincent Keymer (GER). Praggnanandhaa's tough form continues as his second loss of the event, ending his Candidates chances from this event. GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Nihal Sarin drew their respective games against GM Yangyi Yu (CHN) and GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). Arjun has to defeat Keymer in the final round and hope everything else goes his way to finish in top two. GM R Vaishali got the better of 15th Women's World Champion, GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) to get back in the lead for the second time. She will face the 16th Women's World Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) in the final round. It starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Sethuraman S P dominates 1st Diamond City Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025

14/09/2025 -

Top seed GM Sethuraman S P scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 each in to win both 1st Diamond City Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest on both occasion. IM Neelash Saha and IM Aronyak Ghosh scored 8/9 each in both Rapid and Blitz events. Neelash claimed second in Rapid and third in Blitz, while Aronyak secured third in Rapid and second in Blitz. All three of them remained undefeated. The total prize fund was ₹700000, ₹500000 in Rapid and ₹200000 in Blitz. The top three prizes in Rapid were ₹100000, ₹60000 and ₹40000 along with a trophy each. For Blitz they were, ₹50000, ₹30000 and ₹15000 with a trophy each. This is Sethuraman's first and second rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Rushi Shah / Shatranj Sangh, Surat

New: Master the Modern Defence (1...g6) - A Dynamic and Unbalanced Weapon for Black by Daniel Fernandez

14/09/2025 -

The Modern Defence (1…g6) offers Black a dynamic and strategically rich alternative to mainstream openings, avoiding early theory battles while targeting White’s centre with long-term pressure. Grandmaster Daniel Fernandez guides you through its complex ideas and practical applications, ideal for players seeking unbalanced positions and full-point ambitions. Master the subtleties of 1…g6 and energize your repertoire with this bold and flexible weapon. Apart from downloading files and installing on your computer, you can also stream videos and study from ChessBase books on any device - computer, smartphone, tablets etc. Photo: ChessBase

Grand Swiss 2025 R9: Firouzja, Keymer and Giri join Bluebaum in the lead

14/09/2025 -

GM Nihal Sarin started well against GM Alireza Firouzja (FRA) in Round 9 of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. However, he was unable to maintain the intensity of his attack and eventually succumbed. GM Vincent Keymer (GER) and GM Anish Giri (NED) scored victories over GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) and GM Jorden van Foreest (NED). GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER) drew against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). Thus, Firouzja, Keymer and Giri joined Bluebaum in the lead 6.5/9. GM Arjun Erigaisi won against GM Samuel Sevian (USA) to move to 6/9, same as Nihal. They are at a half point behind the leaders' pack. In the Women's event, GM R Vaishali drew with IM Yuxin Song (CHN). Vaishali is also trailing the sole leader, GM Kateryna Lagno by a half point at 6.5/9. Kateryna escaped disaster against GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ). Round 10 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

The HelpChess Fundraiser during FIDE Grand Swiss 2025

13/09/2025 -

HelpChess is the charitable foundation of ChessBase India that stands firmly behind Indian chess players who need financial support. Over the past six years, the foundation has helped talents with training, laptops, and opportunities that have pushed many players towards IM and GM titles. In 2024-25, we raised Rs. 1.6 crore to help players move forward in their chess journey. Now, with the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 underway, we are once again raising funds to support more promising talents. In this article, you will find a list of all contributors and their donations since the start of the event.

Arvind Iyer wins All India Chess Masters Rating Open 2025 Season 2

13/09/2025 -

Arvind Iyer and Darsh Shetty scored 7/8 each at All India Chess Masters Rating Open 2025 Season 2. Arvind won the tournament on tie-breaks and remained undefeated. Darsh secured second place. IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni, Rushikesh Kabnurakar and Rajveer Pinkesh Nahar scored 6.5/9 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place respectively. Arvind defeated the eventual runner-up, Darsh in the sixth round and drew against the second runner-up, Vikramaditya in the final round. The total prize fund was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹40000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each. The six-day eight-round Swiss League Rating Open tournament was organized by and at Mumbai  Chess Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra from 16th to 21st August 2025. This was Arvind's sixth overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Khameshwanan G / Mumbai Chess Center

Grand Swiss 2025 R8: Nihal and Bluebaum remain coleaders

13/09/2025 -

GM Nihal Sarin played a 21-move draw against GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER) in Round 8 of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. Both remain coleaders at 6/8 each. GM R Praggnanandhaa, GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Pranav Venkatesh drew against GM Richard Rapport (HUN), GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM) and GM Ian Nepomniachtchi respectively. All six of them moved to 5/8 each. The defending champion, GM Vidit Gujrathi suffered a loss against GM Vincent Keymer (GER) after the former went wrong in a complex and equal pawn endgame. In a rare World Champion vs Women's World Cup winner clash, GM D Gukesh ended his losing streak by playing a 103-move draw against GM Divya Deshmukh. Round 9 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

What it really takes to chase a chess dream: A chess parent's perspective

13/09/2025 -

We see the players, their wins, their losses, their rise and struggles. But often, we miss the parents who adjust their lives, make sacrifices, yet cheer the loudest. For many families, nurturing a chess dream isn’t just about funding tournaments or buying books; it's much more than that. Parents reshape their daily routines, make tough choices, only to build a world where the child’s passion can grow. This article brings you that journey through the eyes of a chess parent. It's written by Swapan Karmakar, a chess enthusiast from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who has seen this journey closely. Read on to know what it takes for families to back a child's dream. Photo: Swapan Karmakar

Devesh Anand Naik clinches Goa State Senior Rating Open 2025

12/09/2025 -

Devesh Anand Naik (Ponda) scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win Goa State Senior Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Rishikesh Parab (Mormugao) scored sole 7.5/9 to finish second. Reuben Colaco (Salcete) and Chaitanya Sushant Patil (Mormugao) scored 7/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Devesh drew against both eventual runners-up, Rishikesh and Reuben in eighth and ninth round respectively. The top three prizes were ₹10000, ₹7000 and ₹5000 along with a trophy each. The five-day nine-round Swiss League Rating Open tournament was organized by Bardez Taluka Chess Association at DMC's PVSSM Kushe Higher Secondary. School and Institute of Vocational Studies in Assagao, Goa from 13th to 17th August 2025. This was Devesh's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

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