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From Fallout to World Championship: Inside the Landmark Partnership Between FIDE and Freestyle Chess

10/01/2026 -

Jan-Henric Buettner details the historic reconciliation between FIDE and Freestyle Chess, launching the FIDE 2026 Freestyle World Championship. The interview explores the qualification of the top six 2025 tour players, Hans Niemann’s wildcard selection, and the reasoning behind Hikaru Nakamura’s decision to decline his invitation. Buettner also highlights Magnus Carlsen’s influence on the new 25-minute match format, the potential for a future championship in India, and his own plans to transition leadership to a new structure.

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Nihal Sarin clinches Tata Steel Rapid 2026 with a 2839 performance, Anand second and Arjun Erigaisi third

09/01/2026 -

Nihal Sarin scored 6.5/9 to clinch Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2026 with a 2839 and finished a half point ahead of the competition. The 21-year-old from Kerala started the day with a well-contested draw against R Praggnanandhaa. Then, he crushed Wesley So (USA). He finished the event with a draw against Vishy Anand who was the only player who could surpass him in the final round. The maestro started the day with a draw against Vidit Gujrathi, then he drew with Praggnanandhaa. Arjun Erigaisi scored 5/9 to finish third on tie-breaks. He edged past So and Hans Niemann (USA). GM Divya Deshmukh scored 2.5/3 on the final day to finish third scoring 50%, 4.5/9. Nine rounds of Blitz games will be played tomorrow. Blitz Round 1 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

Christmas week puzzles solutions 3

09/01/2026 -

In the final sections of our Christmas Puzzle Week we brought you a variety of famous and less well-known puzzles. Among them a mate problem that solves itself – literally. And one that looks deceptively simple, but requires a very subtle strategy to find the win. In no less than 46 moves! Can computers solve it? Photo: ChessBase

Dhruva Thota becomes the latest International Master from Hyderabad

09/01/2026 -

16-year-old Dhruva Thota is the latest International Master from Hyderabad. His first IM norm came at the Six Days Chess Tournament in Budapest in November 2023, followed soon after by his second at the Chessable Sunway Sitges International Festival in Spain. Two years later, he added his third norm at the Annemasse Chess Tournament in France in October 2025 and sealed the title at the RUDAR XLIII IM Round Robin in Serbia in November 2025. He also finished first in the tournament with a score of 7.5/9. His journey now moves toward the Grandmaster title. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

Srihari L R and Rohith Krishna share the lead with Aleksandrov and Duc Hoa at 16th Chennai GM

09/01/2026 -

The 16th Chennai Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2026 has reached its final day. Round 9, which concluded on January 8, 2026, has brought the battle for the Sakthi Group Dr. N. Mahalingam Trophy to a photo finish. With four players tied at 7.5 points, the math is simple: a win almost guarantees a share of the first-place, while a draw will leave the title to the tie-breaks. On board 1 in 9th round GM Rohith Krishna S and GM Aleksandrov Aleksej played a draw and both of them are on 7.5/9 now while on board 2 GM Srihari LR won against Dhananjay S to catch the leaders and he is co leading with 7.5/9 points and on board 3 we saw GM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam winning against Vandan Alankar Sawai to reach 7.5/9 points. In the last round, Rohith Krishna S will be playing against Nguyen Duc Hoa, while Srihari LR will be taking on IM Mayank Chakraborty, and Aleksandrov Aleksej will play against Indian GM Deepan Chakkravarthy. The final round, Round 10, takes place today, January 9. Photo Credit: IA S. Paul Arokia Raj

Tata Steel Rapid 2026 R4-6: Nihal Sarin is the new coleader of Vishy Anand

08/01/2026 -

Nihal Sarin joined Vishy Anand in the lead at the conclusion of the sixth round of Tata Steel India Rapid 2026. The maestro, Anand, started the day with a loss against Arjun Erigaisi. Then he won the next two games against Hans Niemann (USA) and Volodar Murzin. Nihal on the other hand scored a hat-trick to move to the top of the standings with 4.5/6. He won against Niemann, Murzin and Vidit Gujrathi. Wesley So (USA) is trailing them by a half point at 4/6 each. Niemann, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun are at 3.5/6 each. Anand or Nihal, who will win the event? Only three rounds are remaining. Round 7 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

The first official FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship to be hosted in Weissenhaus

08/01/2026 -

FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026 has been announced to take place in Weissenhaus, Germany from 13th to 15th February. Six players - Magnus Carlsen (NOR), Levon Aronian (USA), Fabiano Caruana (USA), Vincent Keymer (GER), Arjun Erigaisi and Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) have qualified based on their Freestyle Grand Slam Tour 2025 results. Two additional participants will be selected separately, one by FIDE and one by Freestyle Chess. Freestyle Chess has already nominated Hans Niemann, due to his outstanding performance in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas. FIDE will hold an Online Qualification Tournament on Chess.com as early as January 14 and 15 to determine the eighth player. Check the press release to know more details. Photos: FIDE

10 things that made Global Chess League 2025 special

08/01/2026 -

Some events stay with you even if you were not physically there. The Global Chess League 2025 was one such experience. Through conversations, stories, photos, and videos, the league felt alive, energetic, and unforgettable. It showed how chess can bring together world-class competition, passionate fans, and a sense of community. There were iconic matchups, interesting games, moments that made people smile, in short, this edition had it all. At the Global Chess League, chess is presented in a way that feels modern, inclusive and full of emotion. In this article, we cover ten things that made this edition of the Global Chess League special. Photo: Global Chess League

Tata Steel Rapid 2026 R1-3: Vishy Anand and Hans Niemann make a great start

08/01/2026 -

Vishy Anand and Hans Niemann (USA) have emerged early coleaders at Tata Steel India Rapid 2026. Both of them scored 2.5/3 on the first day. Anand defeated Wesley So (USA) and Aravindh Chithambaram, drew against Wei Yi (CHN). Hans on the other hand, won against former World Rapid champion, Volodar Murzin and R Praggnanandhaa, drew against Vidit Gujrathi. Arjun Erigaisi started the event with two losses. Vidit Gujrathi scored an unbeaten 2/3. Nihal Sarin and Praggnanandhaa scored 1.5/3 each. In the Women's event, IM Vantika Agrawal scored 2/3 including wins over GM R Vaishali and GM Harika Dronavalli. WGM Rakshitta Ravi drew all three of her games, although she was winning against the new World Rapid Women's 2025 champion, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina. Round 4 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: IA NI Vivek Sohani

Rohith and Aleksandrov In Joint Lead, Dhananjay Catching Up at 16th Chennai GM

07/01/2026 -

8 rounds are completed at The 16th Chennai Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2026, and we have two players, GM Rohith Krishna S with GM Aleksandrov Aleksej on 7/8 points, both players are still unbeaten in the event, and they will be playing against each other in the penultimate round, which will be played tomorrow. For the second place its a tie between 6 players who are playing on 6.5/8. Dhananjay S From chattisgarh utilised the advantage after Hoang Thi Bao Tram made a blunder in an equal position and won the game in style. On the Top board, Rohith played a Draw against Srihari LR, and on board 2, Aleksandrov Aleksej won against Mayank Chakraborty with the white pieces. Srihari LR, Alexei Fedorov, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Vandan Alankar Sawai, and Palencia Morales are on 6.5/8 points alongside Dhananjay S. Round 9 will start at 10 am on 8th January. Photo Credit: IA S. Paul Arokia Raj

Late R. B. Sapre Memorial 2025 starts in 9 days

07/01/2026 -

Ratnagiri will host a major amateur chess event from 16th to 18th January 2026. Players from across Maharashtra will compete in a highly competitive FIDE-rated field. The tournament also serves as an important selection event for the National Amateur Championship. The winner will take home a top prize of Rs. 14,000 along with a trophy. The event will be played over three days with eight rounds of intense competition. With great inspiration, vent will be played over three days with eight rounds of intense competition. Read the article to get full schedule and registration information. Photo: Tournament brochure

Vishy Anand returns to action in Kolkata after six years at Tata Steel India Rapid and Blitz 2026

07/01/2026 -

Tata Steel Chess India is the strongest and biggest Rapid and Blitz tournament to take place in India. For the second time, Men's and Women's events will take place simultaneously at the same time. Just like the last three editions, both men and women's events will have equal prize fund of US$ 41500. The five-day Rapid and Blitz tournament will feature 20 of the world's top including Vishy Anand who is returning to Kolkata as a player after over six years. World no.5 Arjun Erigaisi, FIDE World Cup 2025 runner-up Wei Yi (CHN), Wesley So (USA), World no.8 - R Praggnanandhaa, winner of Tata Steel India 2022 Rapid - Nihal Sarin, Hans Niemann (USA), Vidit Gujrathi, Aravindh Chithambaram and former World Rapid champion - Volodar Murzin. Among the Women, the new World Rapid Women 2025 champion - GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 winner - GM Divya Deshmukh, the defending Blitz Women champion - GM Kateryna Lagno, GM Harika Dronavalli, GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), GM R Vaishali, IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), IM Carissa Yip (USA), IM Vantika Agrawal and WGM Rakshitta Ravi will be seen in action. Round 1 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

Top Seeded Rohith Krishna S is leading at 16th Chennai GM After 7 Rounds

06/01/2026 -

After completion of 7 rounds at The 16th Chennai Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2026, Rohith Krishna S is leading the event with 6.5/7 Points going into the eighth round. In round 7, Rohith won a beautiful game against Belarusian GM Alexei Fedorov with the white pieces, destroying Fedorov's Benko Defence. Rohith is still unbeaten in the event, and he just had one draw against FM Jinam Jomon in round 5. For the second place right now its a 4-way tie between GM Srihari LR, who is unbeaten with 2 draws, GM Aleksandrov Aleksej, who is also unbeaten with 2 draws, IM Mayank Chakraborty, who suffered a loss in round 4, and CM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma, who also played 2 draws and increased his rating by 24 Points. Games of Round 8 will start at 10 am on 7th January. Photo Credit: Sivakasi Chess Club/S. Paul Arokia Raj

Aarush Bhat awesome at 29th RCC Rapid Rating Cup 2025 with a perfect score

06/01/2026 -

13-year-old Aarush Bhat scored a perfect 9/9 to win 29th RCC Rapid Rating Chess Cup Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. Govind Prabhu and Aneesh S C scored 8/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹15000, ₹10000 and ₹7000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Rao's Chess Corner at Canara High School, Urwa in Mangaluru, Karnataka on 14th December 2025. This is Aarush's third overall, second rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Take back and replay the same move!

06/01/2026 -

Did you solve the famous retractor by T.R. Dawson? You had to retract White's last move and then deliver a mate in two. And the solution? Take back the move h2-h4 and then play exactly the same move: 1.h2-h4! g4×h3 e.p. 2.B×g6#. Outrageous! Today we bring you a second instalment of solutions from our Christmas Puzzle Week. With retractors, reflectors, missing pieces and more. Hoping you like such out-of-the-box puzzles. Photo: ChessBase

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