Dubai Police Global Challenge R2: Iniyan holds Amin to a draw, Aravindh secures second win

06/05/2024 - The second round of the Dubai Police Open witnessed gripping clashes and notable achievements as players from around the world showcased their skills on the chessboard. In a standout performance, 45th seeded Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Pa held Iran's second seed, Amin Tabatabaei, to a draw on the top board. Alongside him, Visakh, N R, Pranesh M, and llamparthi A R also secured their second victories, adding to the thrill of the competition. Moreover, the World Women's Chess Champion, Ju Wenjun, joined the tournament in the second round, commencing her campaign with a resounding victory. Let's delve into the highlights and surprises of this thrilling round. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

New: Leon Luke Mendonca: Rock Solid with the Queenʼs Indian Defence

06/05/2024 -

The Queen's Indian Defense is one of the most solid defenses against 1.d4. From a rock-solid position, the black player can pursue many ideas and plans without having to worry about coming under quick pressure. In this video course, the young Indian Grandmaster Leon Luke Mendonca presents the most solid black responses in various variations. The teenage attests that he has had great results with this opening and continues to use it often. So grab this Fritztrainer, enrich your knowledge and strengthen your opening repertoire. Fritztrainers are now also available in ChessBase Books format. You can use the same code to study it in ChessBase Books format here. So buy now and study whichever way you want. Photo: ChessBase

Dubai Police Masters 2024 R1: Ravi Teja and Aradhya score huge upsets

05/05/2024 -

IM Ravi Teja S scored the biggest upset of the first round at Dubai Police Global Challenge Masters 2024. He defeated the 44th Chess Olympiad Gold medalist when GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) blundered into a checkmate. IM Aradhya Garg scored the other big upset of the day. He showed his endurance a double bishop vs rook endgame against GM Jinshi Bai (CHN). IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman (BAN) held the top seed GM Yangyi Yu (CHN) to a draw. Among Indians, IM Ethan Vaz, IM P Shyam Nikhil, IM Harsh Suresh and WGM Priyanka Nutakki drew against their stronger GM opponents. Round 2 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Developing an opening repertoire with Anish Giri

04/05/2024 -

To play openings like a grandmaster - that's probably what most ambitious amateurs want. The first and not so easy step is to choose openings for your own repertoire. Would you like to do this with a world-class grandmaster? Of course you would! In the new two-part video course "A Supergrandmaster's Guide to Openings with Anish Giri", Anish Giri introduces (almost) all openings in an instructive way, categorises their relevance and tells fascinating stories from the world of elite chess. The Fritztrainer is available now on our shop. Buy now if you haven't yet to strengthen your opening repertoire. Photo: ChessBase

ChessBase India Training Academy invites you to 1st Khelo Chess India Rating Open 2024

04/05/2024 -

ChessBase India Training Academy invites all chess players around the world in the inaugural edition of Khelo Chesss Rating Open 2024. It is scheduled to take place from 4th to 9th June 2024. This tournament has a very low entry fee of ₹600. The idea is to encourage players to take part in a Classical rating tournament and gain an Elo rating. The total prize fund is ₹64000. The first prize is ₹10000 + trophy each. Special ChessBase India prizes will be announced before the start of the tournament. Entry is FREE for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs. Last date of registration is 3rd June 2024. So hurry up and register now. Photos: Tournament circular

Sardinia Festival 2024 R8: Alan Pichot catches up with Yair Parkhov

03/05/2024 -

Sardinia World Chess Festival 2024 is heading for a very close finish. GM Yair Parkhov (ISR) drew against GM Kirill Shevchenko (ROU). It allowed GM Alan Pichot (ESP) to catch up as he defeated GM Vitaly Sivuk (SWE). Both Parkhov and Pichot are now the coleaders 6.5/8. Parkhov for the second consecutive game missed a good chance. They have already faced each other in the sixth round. It ended in a draw. In Group B, WFM Alexandra Botez (CAN) won against Carlo Molinari (ITA) in Open B. She maintains a full point lead going into the final round 7.5/8. In the final round, she will be up against the top seed Dejan Dimitrov (BUL). Round 9 starts tomorrow at 9 a.m. local time, 12:30 p.m. IST. All photos are by Shahid Ahmed unless stated otherwise.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov wins 29th Tepe Sigeman & Co 2024 in Playoffs, Arjun Erigaisi second

03/05/2024 -

Arjun Erigaisi struggled a lot against Nils Grandelius (SWE). Trying to push even though there was no clear way to achieve that positionally, landed him in deep trouble. However, Arjun somehow managed to salvage a half point. Peter Svidler forced perpetual check against Vincent Keymer (GER). Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) seized his opportunity against Marc` Andria Maurizzi's (FRA) blunder. All three ended up with the same score 4.5/7. Both Arjun and Abdusattorov defeated Svidler and drew against each other in the tie-break games. Then the World no.5 and 8 had to play two 3' + 2" Blitz games. The first game was drawn, Arjun lost the second. Thus, Abdusattorov won 29th TePe Sigeman & Co. Tournament 2024. Arjun finished second in terms of tie-breaks. However, prize money is shared between the players with the same points. Photos: Mikael Svensson/tepesigemanchess.com

Chess Titans Carlsen, Nakamura, Anand and Amin set for Epic Showdown in Casablanca, Morocco

03/05/2024 -

This month on 18th and 19th May, we will witness a new chess variant, Casablanca Chess introduced by Casablanca Stock Exchange. So what is different in this variant? The starting positions of each game will be equal positions inspired by historical gems - some renowned and others less so. Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Vishy Anand and Amin Bassem will be the four elites taking part in this event. Check out the press release to know all the details about this event slated to take place in Casablanca, Morocco. Are you excited about this new variant of chess? Who do you think will emerge victorious? Our very own CEO and Cofounder, IM Sagar Shah will be present at the venue to bring you all coverage from there. Photo: Casablanca Chess

29th Tepe Sigeman & Co 2024 is poised for an exciting finish

02/05/2024 -

The battle between the leaders - Arjun Erigaisi and Peter Svidler ended in a draw. Anton Korobov (UKR) bounced back with a win over Nils Grandelius (SWE). There are now three leaders - Arjun, Korobov and Svidler at 4/6 each. 29th TePe Sigeman & Co Tournament 2024 is undoubtedly going to have a close finish. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) defeated Vincent Keymer (GER) to keep his mathematical chances. Arjun vs Grandelius, Svidler vs Keymer and Wenjun vs Korobov are the final round pairings. Will Svidler retain his crown or Arjun win this event in his third attempt? Round 7 starts tomorrow Friday 3rd May at 12 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Mikael Svensson/tepesigemanchess.com

Sardinia Festival 2024 R7: Lorenzo Lodici wins an absolute thriller, Yair misses against Chigaev

02/05/2024 -

The seventh round of Sardinia World Chess Festival 2024 was an action packed one. The sole leader GM Yair Parkhov (ISR) maintained his lead. However, he missed a good opportunity to extend it by a full point against GM Maksim Chigaev (ESP) in the endgame. GM Jorden van Foreest (NED) gave his all to score a double hat-trick. However, GM Alan Pichot (ESP) provided incredible defense and denied his opponent his sixth win in-a-row. GM Lorenzo Lodici (ITA) won an absolute stunner against GM Paul Velten (FRA). WFM Alexandra Botez (CAN) got the better of Hugues Benoit (FRA) to increase her lead by a full point. Round 8 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. All photos are by Shahid Ahmed unless stated otherwise.

Aditya Bagus Arfan and Arif Abdul Hafiz shine at Pertamina Indonesian GM and IM Tournaments 2024

02/05/2024 -

IM Aditya Bagus Arfan (INA) scored an unbeaten 9.5/11 to win Pertamina Indonesian GM Tournament 2024. He finished a full point ahead of the field. Top seed GM Novendra Priasmoro (INA) scored 7.5/11 to finish second. GM Temur Kuybokarov (AUS) finished third scoring 7/11. No tie-breaks were needed for the top six finishers. In the IM tournament, FM Arif Abdul Hafiz (INA) and IM Farid Firman Syah (INA) scored 8/11 each. Arif won the tournament as he defeated Farid in the eighth round. Arif also earned his final IM-norm at this event and became an International Master. FM Khuyagtsogt Itgelt (MGL) and IM Mohamad Ervan (INA) scored 7/11 each. The former secured third place and also earned an IM-norm. Check out first round report written by Kristianus Liem, Tournament Director, translated to English by Peter Long. Photos: FM FT IA Peter Long

Sardinia Festival 2024 R6: Yair Parkhov still in sole lead, 12-year-old Henry Tudor stuns Victor Mikhalevski

01/05/2024 -

GM Yair Parkhov (ISR) drew against GM Alan Pichot (ESP) in the sixth round of Sardinia World Chess Festival 2024. Only two out of the top ten boards ended decisively. That ensured Yair maintaining his sole lead 5.5/6. GM Jorden van Foreest (NED) registered his fifth win in-a-row. He defeated Turkey's youngest GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. Top seed GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) bounced back with a win over IM Eray Kilic (TUR). GM Bharath Subramaniyam H and IM Vantika Agrawal drew against GM Volodar Murzin and GM Francesco Sonis (ITA) respectively. WFM Alexandra Botez (CAN) drew against CM Joel Paul Ganta to maintain her sole lead 5.5/6. Round 7 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. All photos are by Shahid Ahmed unless stated otherwise.

29th Tepe Sigeman & Co 2024 R5: Peter Svidler joins Arjun Erigaisi in the lead

01/05/2024 -

Arjun Erigaisi had another well fought draw in the fifth round of 29th TePe Sigeman & Co Tournament 2024. It was against the Germany no.1 - Vincent Keymer. Peter Svidler defeated Anton Korobov (UKR) to join the lead with Arjun 3.5/5. They both will face each other in the penultimate sixth round. Both Keymer and Korobov are trailing the leaders by a half point at 3/5 each. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) had a tiny window of opportunity to gain the upper hand against the reigning four-time Women's World Champion. However, he missed it and the game ended in a draw. Round 6 starts tomorrow Thursday 2nd May at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: TePe Sigeman/tepesigemanchess.com

D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi become the second Indian duo to make into World Top 10 since November 2016

01/05/2024 -

D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi have created a new record in FIDE Rating list May 2024. They both became the first Indian duo since November 2016, to make it into the World top 10 of a published rating list. D Gukesh's historic triumph at the FIDE Candidates 2024 moved him up from World no.16 to 6. Arjun is now World no.7. Arjun's live ranking is no.5, but the next change will take place in June. Currently, there are four Indians in top 14, five in top 28, six in top 37, eight in top 53 and ten in top 81. D Gukesh is the biggest gainer of this list in the Open at the top. He gained 20.4 Elo rating points and stormed into World top ten at no.6. Among the Women, there are three Indians in top 13, four in top 29, five in top 51 and 11 in top 100. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Sardinia Festival 2024 R4-5: Yair Parkhov emerges sole leader

30/04/2024 -

Yair Parkhov (ISR) got his GM title confirmed today officially. That is not the sole reason for him to rejoice as he won both of his games to emerge sole leader at Sardinia World Chess Festival 2024. In Round 4, Parkhov defeated GM Niclas Huschenbeth (GER) after the latter made a positional mistake in the endgame. In Round 5 also, Parkhov won in a similar way. His opponent, GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) made a positional inaccuracy by capturing a pawn incorrectly. The newly minted GM invaded with his rook and won the game. Parkhov is followed by three players - GM Maksim Chigaev (ESP), GM Alan Pichot (ESP) and GM Luca Moroni Jr. (ITA) at 4.5/5 each. GM Bharath Subramaniyam H is at 4/5. He drew both of his games today. WFM Alexandra Botez (CAN) has gained sole lead 5/5 in Group B. She won both of her games and played for over nine hours in total. Round 6 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. All photos are by Shahid Ahmed unless stated otherwise.