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The life and journey of Koneru Humpy

09/08/2026 -

Koneru Humpy is one of India’s most accomplished chess players and the country’s first female Grandmaster. She is known for her determination and fighting spirit. She has won the Women’s World Rapid Championship twice, in 2019 and 2024. Humpy is also known for balancing her professional chess career with motherhood and family life. In this interview, she talks about her journey, challenges, motivation, family, and her approach to the game. Photo: Michal Walusza

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Elevating Assam Chess: IM Neeraj Kumar Mishra Leads 7-Day Camp in Moranhat

08/08/2026 -

A transformative long-term project by SBG Chess Academy aims to bring structured, high-level coaching to promising talent across remote regions of India. Chess is reaching every corner of India, and the remote regions of Assam are no exception. In a major boost to grassroots chess development, International Master Neeraj Kumar Mishra, alongside Assistant Coach Santanu Borpatra Gohain, is currently conducting an intensive seven-day training camp at the SBG Chess Academy in Moranhat, Dibrugarh district. Photos: R K Pancham Singh

Come and Battle in the City of Lakes: 9th N L Pandiyar Memorial Lakecity International Open 2026

08/08/2026 -

Chess returns to the picturesque City of Lakes as Buddhibal Seva Sansthan (BSS), operating under its Chess in Lakecity unit, proudly announces the 9th N. L. Pandiyar Memorial Lakecity International FIDE Rating Open Chess Tournament 2026. Continuing its legacy of hosting world-class FIDE-rated events in Udaipur, the tournament brings together players from across India and around the globe.

"This is my best Rapid and Blitz performance ever!" R. Praggnanandhaa

07/08/2026 -

R Praggnanandhaa has won the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026, leading from day one to day five and never letting go. It is, by his own assessment, the strongest Rapid and Blitz showing of his career. In this in-depth interview, he takes us through the ambitious c5 that Levon Aronian played against him, the quiet Qb2 that cost Fabiano Caruana the game, the opening idea he liked so much he made a note to reuse it, the antidote to the French Defence that Jorden Van Foreest had prepared, and the thrilling finale with Javokhir Sindarov. Photo: Lennart Ootes

R. Praggnanandhaa Wins Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026

07/08/2026 -

R Praggnanandhaa played tremendous chess at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz to win the tournament with a round to spare. On the final day, Praggnanandhaa scored 3 wins and won the tournament with a draw against Javokhir Sindarov in the penultimate round. This is Pragg's 1st Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz Title. Pragg drew his final game against Levon Aronian to finish with 23.5/36 points. En route to his victory, Pragg lost only 2 of the 27 games he played, including both Rapid & Blitz. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Anuj Shrivatri Shines at 1st Ekal Shrihari Rapid Rating 2026

07/08/2026 -

Anuj Shrivatri scored an unbeaten 8/9 points to win the 1st Ekal Shrihari Vanvasi Vikas Trust Rapid Rating Chess Tournament 2026. Anuj Shrivatri, Vivaan Vishal Shah, Om Gada, Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh, and Jeet Jain, all five players, scored 8/9 points and secured top 5 spots according to tiebreak scores. The tournament was organised at Maharaja Agrasen Palace, Surat, on 2nd August. The total prize fund was ₹5,00,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹71,000, ₹35,000 and ₹21,000 along with trophies. Photos: Sam

Praggnanandhaa Shines in Blitz, Increases his Lead at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026

06/08/2026 -

After Completion of 9 rounds of Blitz at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026, Praggnanandhaa maintains his lead with 18/27 points. On the 4th day of the tournament, Praggnanandhaa scored 3 wins and drew the remaining 6 games. Javokhir Sindarov is trailing with 16.5/27 points. With just 9 rounds to go on the final day, the championship is wide open, and if Praggnanandhaa can keep the form he is in, he is going to take it home. Photos: Lennart Ootes

How a screen-free activity led 8-year-old Divisha to medals

06/08/2026 -

Divisha Naveen Nayakula's chess story began almost by accident. Her parents just wanted to keep their three-year-old away from screens during the pandemic. Little did they know that one decision would change everything. Five years later, she has earned a FIDE rating of 1658, won medals at the 28th Asian Youth Chess Championship, and even played a simul against former World Champion Ding Liren. Not bad for a girl who is still only eight!

Praggnanandhaa Maintains Lead After Three Days of Saint Louis Rapid; All Eyes Turn to Blitz

05/08/2026 -

R. Praggnanandhaa kept his lead after the completion of 9 Rapid games at Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026. On the 3rd day, Praggnanandhaa drew with Anish Giri, and in the 8th round he defeated Vincent Keymer. The shocking result of the day was Pragg losing the final round against Jorden van Foreest. The result didn't affect the standings as Pragg is leading with 12/18 points while Sindarov is in 2nd place with 11/18. The fast-paced blitz action will start on 5th August. Photos: Crystal Fuller

Gopinath P. Wins 41st RCC Below 1800 Blitz Rating 2026

05/08/2026 -

Gopinath P scored 8/9 points to win the 41st RCC Below 1800 Blitz Rating Chess Tournament. Gopinath P, Anish Naik, and Vrishank Royadu all scored 8/9 points and finished in the top 3 places according to tiebreak scores. Rao's Chess Corner organised this tournament at Achuthpal Hall in Mangalore on 26th July 2026. The total prize fund was ₹25,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹7,500, ₹4,500, and ₹3,000 along with trophies. Photos: Rao's Chess Corner

Praggnanandhaa Hits Career-High Rapid Rating, Enters World Top 10 at Saint Louis Rapid 2026

04/08/2026 -

R. Praggnanandhaa continued his stellar run on Day 2 of the Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid 2026. Praggnanandhaa started the second day with a draw against Javokhir Sindarov in the 4th Round. Previously on the 1st day, he had already defeated Aronian and Caruana in consecutive games. In the 5th round, he scored another victory against Awonder Liang. Pragg ended his day with a marathon 117-move draw against Wesley So. With this amazing performance, Pragg reached his career-high rapid rating of 2714.5. Photos: Lennart Ootes and Austin Fuller

Aylore Hari Suryanarayana Wins RCA below 1800 Classical Rating 2026

03/08/2026 -

Aylore Hari Suryanarayana scored an unbeaten 8/9 points to win the RCA below 1800 Classical Rating Chess Tournament 2026. Aylore Hari, Siddharth Pernati, and Johney Mandal all scored 8/9 points to finish in the top 3 places according to tiebreak scores. The tournament was organised at the Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, from 17th to 19th July 2026 by Rajam Chess Academy. The total prize fund was ₹2,00,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹25,000, ₹15,000 and ₹12,500 along with trophies. Photos: WFM M.R. Sangeetha

2nd MCF GM/IM Invitational 2026: Photo Story from Kuala Lumpur

03/08/2026 -

Last year, the inaugural GM/IM Invitation Chess Event wrote itself into Malaysian chess history. It was at that historic tournament where then-IM Yeoh Li Tian achieved his third and final GM norm, officially becoming Malaysia’s first-ever Grandmaster. Fast forward to 2026, and the search for Malaysia's next Grandmaster and International Master continues! The 2nd GM-IM Invitational Chess Championship 2026 is currently underway from 29th July to 6th August 2026 at the scenic Jeumpa d'Ramo Boutique Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photos: Edwin Lam

Sipke Ernst: The Modern Benko Gambit | A Complete Repertoire for Black

03/08/2026 -

In modern chess, activity has become one of the most prized resources of all. Engines have taught us again and again that active piece play, the initiative, and dynamic pressure can more than compensate for small material or structural concessions. The Benko Gambit fits this philosophy perfectly. By giving up a pawn early, Black immediately gets exactly what the modern player is looking for: open lines, harmonious development, and relentless, long-term pressure on White's queenside. Click Here to Buy!

Pune Chess Hangouts Finds a Saturday Home at The Habitat

03/08/2026 -

Pune’s chess scene just levelled up! Pune Chess Hangouts is launching a brand-new weekly fixture: a dedicated Saturday Chess Club at The Habitat in Mundhwa, running every weekend from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This gives the city its very first consistent Saturday evening hub for chess enthusiasts. Founded in early 2024 by Sanjana Desai and Chaitanya Bidkar, Pune Chess Hangouts started as a modest gathering of a few players. Under Sanjana’s leadership as Founder and Community Head, it has rapidly expanded into one of the city's most vibrant chess hubs, boasting over 1,000 members and a track record of more than 250 weekend meetups across Pune.

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