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Saptorshi Gupta wins Auckland Waitangi Weekender 2025

17/02/2025 -

Saptorshi Gupta and Ilias Angelo Baker (NZL) scored an unbeaten 5/6 each at Auckland Waitangi Weekender 2025. Saptorshi shared first place with Ilias as ties were not broken in this event. Four players - FM Alphaeus Wei Arn Ang (NZL), FM Leonard J McLaren (NZL), David Junyang Zhu (NZL) and WFM Nadia Braganza (NZL) scored 4.5/6 each. They shared third place. Saptorshi defeated the eventual second runner-up, Alphaeus in the last round to become the champion. The top three prizes were NZ$700, $300 and $200 each. The prizes were shared between the players of same point group. The three-day six-round tournament was organized by IA Keong Ang (NZL) at Auckland Chess Centre in Auckland, New Zealand on 6th, 8th and 9th February 2025. This was Saptorshi's fourth tournament he played and second triumph in New Zealand. Photo: New Zealand Chess News

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

GM Iniyan on ChessBase 18 - 1

17/02/2025 -

Are there any advantages of moving to the latest ChessBase 18? Are strong chess players doing it, and finding the software useful in their every-day tournament activity? A decided 'Yes!' is given by Indian grandmaster Pa. Iniyan, who sent us an in-depth three-part review. You would do well to read about his experience carefully, and learn how you too can dramatically improve your level of chess study and preparation. Check out the tutorial and grab ChessBase 18 if you haven't yet. Photo: ChessBase

B Vignesh triumphs at 1st Star Chess Foundation Rating Open 2025

17/02/2025 -

B Vignesh and M Mridav scored an unbeaten 7.5/8 each at 1st Star Chess Foundation Rating Open 2025. Top seed of the tournament, Vignesh became champion due to better tie-break score, Mridav had to be content with second place. Four players - IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam, B Selvamurugan, Saisarvesh Ar and FM Ayushh Ravikumar scored 7/8 each. They were placed third to sixth respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400000, having 100 cash and 105 cups. The top three prizes were ₹40000, ₹30000 and ₹19000 along with a trophy each. The tournament was organized by Star Chess Foundation at JJ College of Engineering and Technology in Trichy, Tamil Nadu from 8th to 11th February 2025. This was Vignesh's first tournament triumph of the year. Photos: IA R Anantharam

Vidit Gujrathi wins 34th PSPB Inter Unit Rapid Individual 2025

16/02/2025 -

GM Vidit Gujrathi (ONGC) scored 7/9 to win 34th PSPB Inter Unit Rapid Individual Chess Tournament 2025. GM Pranav Venkatesh (IOC-A) also scored the same 7/9. However, Vidit won the tournament on tie-breaks. Both Vidit and Pranav suffered a loss each. Vidit lost against the legend, GM Sasikiran Krishnan (ONGC) in Round 7. Pranav lost against the eventual champion, Vidit in the fifth round. Four players - GM Raunak Sadhwani (IOC-A), GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly (IOC-A), GM G N Gopal (BPCL) and GM Sethuraman S P (ONGC) scored 6.5/9 each. They were placed third to sixth respectively according to tie-breaks. This is the second consecutive edition Vidit as he won the 33rd edition in 2023.

Arjun Erigaisi signs with Gen.G Esports, Carlsen and Caruana join Team Liquid

16/02/2025 -

Over 4.5 years ago, we reported Hikaru Nakamura signing with TSM. After the announcement of the inclusion of chess in the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025, World no.4 Arjun Erigaisi became the first top player to be signed by Gen.G Esports organization. The new World Rapid champion - Volodar Murzin joined the AG Global team. Then it was announced by Team Vitality that World Blitz 2021 champion, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) is their latest signee. Team Liquid selected both World no.1 and 2 - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Fabiano Caruana (USA) to their team. NAVI esports club signed World no.6 and World Rapid 2021 champion - Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), first Official World Fischer Random champion - Wesley So (USA) and Oleksandr Bortnyk (UKR). Photo: Shahid Ahmed, logo: Gen.G Esports

Gaurang Bagwe clinches 12th CircleChess Rapid Rating Open 2025

16/02/2025 -

FM Gaurang Bagwe scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 12th CircleChess Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Arnav Mahesh Koli and GM Laxman R R scored 8/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400000 + 130 trophies. The top three prizes were ₹30000, ₹25000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each respectively. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by CircleChess at Mahalaxmi Temple Bhavan in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra on 9th February 2025. This is Gaurang's second overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Ravindra Potawad

ONGC dominates 34th PSPB Inter Unit Rapid Team 2025

15/02/2025 -

ONGC defeated BPCL 2.5-1.5 to win 34th PSPB Inter Unit Rapid Team Chess Tournament 2025. They won all seven of their matches, five in Pool and two in Duel. BPCL is the only team to score 1.5 points to a losing effort against the eventual winners on both occasion at different stages. All other teams got whitewashed by ONGC. The team comprised - GM Koneru Humpy, GM Sethuraman S P, GM Vidit Gujrathi, GM Sasikiran Krishnan and GM Deep Sengupta. BPCL had GM Vaibhav Suri, GM Abhijeet Gupta, GM G N Gopal and GM Venkatesh M R. IOC-A finished third. Their team consisted - GM Raunak Sadhwani, GM Karthikeyan Murali, GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, GM Pranav V and GM Adhiban B.

New: 1.Nf3: A Reti-Grandmaster course for strategic understanding and flexibility Vol.2 - Classical Systems

15/02/2025 -

Looking for a versatile and strategic opening repertoire that doesn’t rely on memorising endless variations? In this course, Grandmaster Felix Blohberger delivers a complete opening repertoire for White, centred around the flexible move 1.Nf3. Whether you’re a club player or a seasoned competitor, this course offers a solid yet dynamic approach that adapts to various playing styles and opponents. Felix was the second for Pentala Harikrishna at the recently concluded 87th Tata Steel Masters 2025. Grab this new Fritztrainer if you have not yet. Now you can study chess on any device, either via streaming or on ChessBase Book. Photo: ChessBase

Vincent Keymer conquers Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1

15/02/2025 -

Vincent Keymer (GER) drew with Fabiano Caruana (USA) to become the champion of Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1 Finals. The Germany no.1 truly played like a champion throughout the event. He started the tournament with four losses in the first eight games, finishing the Rapid Round-Robin stage with only 4/9 at sixth place. In the Knockout stage, he eliminated Alireza Firouzja, Magnus Carlsen and won the Finals against Caruana. He did not need a single tie-break game, winning all his KO matches with 1.5-0.5 score. This triumph earned him his highest prize in his career so far which is US$ 200000. The second leg of the tour will take place from 8th to 15th April in Paris, France. Photo: Lennart Ootes

Cooperation between Grenke Open 2025 and Freestyle Chess

14/02/2025 -

Grenke Chess Open and Freestyle Chess have agreed to cooperate. Apart from the usual Grenke Open, there will be a simultaneous Freestyle Open instead of Grenke Chess Classic. It will take place from The conventional Grenke Open 2025 will have a total prize fund €70000, combining three groups. The Freestyle Open will have more than three times the total prize fund of the Classical event worth €225000. Open A (>1950) prize funds in Classical and Freestyle are €60250 and €215250 each respectively, Freestyle having 3.57 times more prize fund in Open A. Players can switch from Classical to Freestyle event from second to fifth round without losing their score. Magnus Carlsen and Vincent Keymer will play in the Freestyle Open. Photo: ChessBase

Selvamurugan B victorious at 4th SSS Rating Open 2025

14/02/2025 -

Selvamurugan B scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 4th SSS Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. Five players - J K Raju, Ram Alagappan S, Kishore V, Yashwant B and Saravanan scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second to sixth position respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹401000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹15000 and ₹12500 along with a trophy each respectively. The five-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Sri Sai Saravanaa Academy at Chendhuran College of Engineering and Technology in Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu from 1st to 5th February 2025. This is the first tournament Selvamurugan played this year and he won it convincingly. Photo: IA Angappan A / Sri Sai Saravanaa Academy

Vincent Keymer on the verge of winning Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1

14/02/2025 -

Vincent Keymer (GER) defeated Fabiano Caruana (USA) convincingly in the first game of Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1 Finals. The Germany no.1 needs a draw in the second game to become the champion. Caruana went wrong early, his kingside rook and bishop did not participate for the rest of the game. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) got the better of Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) who made an incorrect break in the center. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). The latter went wrong in a rook and double bishop vs rook and double knight endgame. D Gukesh salvaged a draw from a losing endgame against Alireza Firouzja (FRA). Finals Game 2 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

Chess becomes a highlight at Chembur Children’s Home Annual Sports Event

13/02/2025 -

On the 16th of January, a chess tournament was held at the Chembur Children’s Home as a part of their annual sports event. Though it was a competition, it felt more like a celebration. Some played their first-ever tournament while some learned to balance multiple sports. But the best part about this event was to see the excitement among children! This event was organized under Teach Chess India Mission to give children a chance to experience a professional chess tournament. Read the article to know more.

Delhi GM Open is back after two years with an enormous ₹1.21 Crore prize fund

13/02/2025 -

Delhi International GM Tournament is back after two years. The total prize fund combining three categories is ₹12100000, ₹5100000 for Category A and ₹3500000 for Category B (Below 1900) and Category C (Below 1700). The top three prizes in A are ₹700000, ₹600000 and ₹500000 each. That's not all. The top ten prizes in Category A are ₹100000 or more. Best Female and Best Foreign Player first prize is ₹100000 each. Entry is free for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs. They will be offered free accommodation on twin sharing basis. The winner of the last two editions are - Aravindh Chithambaram and Arjun Erigaisi. They are now World no. 21 and 4. The next one can be you. The tournament is part of FIDE Circuit. So valuable FIDE Circuit points will also be up for grabs. Check out the article to find out all details about the tournament. Photo: Tournament circular

Kashish Manoj Jain clinches PR 1st Late SSK Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2025

13/02/2025 -

FM Kashish Manoj Jain and IM Sammed Jaykumar Shete scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 each at PR 1st Late Shikshanmaharshi Shivajirao Konde Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2025. Kashish won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Sammed was placed second. Four players - CM Prathamesh Sherla, Shriraj Bhosale, Avirat Chauhan and FM Aniruddha Deshpande scored 8/9 each. They secured third to sixth position respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200001. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each respectively. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by PR Chess World and Shivbhumi Shikshan Trust at Shivray Mangal Karyalay in Pune, Maharashtra on 2nd February 2025. This is Kashish's second tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Pavan Rathi

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