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Aravindh Chithambaram keeps climbing, becomes World no.21

07/02/2025 -

The FIDE Rating list for February 2025 does not reflect a lot of change as Tata Steel Tournament was in progress. So, the list is unable to show the changes for Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali. However, two Indians gained significant places. Aravindh Chithambaram continues his climb to the top. He gained 2.9 Elo rating points to move to 2729 and World no.21. Among the Indian Women, WGM Rakshitta Ravi gained 44.6 Elo rating points to break into World top 100 among Women for the first time with a career high rating 2365. She is now World no.77 among Women. Photo: Anmol Bhargav

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

Gukesh to face Carlsen and co. at Weissenhaus Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1

07/02/2025 -

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1 starts in Hamburg, Germany today. This will be the first time the World no.1 - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) will face D Gukesh after he became the 18th World Champion. The remaining eight players are - Fabiano Caruana (USA), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), Alireza Firouzja (FRA), Levon Aronian (USA), Vincent Keymer (GER), Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) and Javokhir Sindarov (UZB). Sindarov replaced Vishy Anand who withdrew from the tournament. The Uzbek was the runner-up in the online qualifiers behind Fedoseev who won and earned his spot. There will be five rounds of Rapid games played today in the Round-Robin stage and the remaining four will take place tomorrow. Gukesh will face Carlsen in the ninth round. Round 1 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: IM Sagar Shah

"A joyful passion for chess" - An interview with Sagar Shah

06/02/2025 -

Sagar Shah is the Cofounder and CEO of ChessBase India, a trainer, organiser and author. He is a regular guest at top tournaments around the world and has made countless videos filming chess events and interviewing top players and organisers. But during a visit to the ChessBase studio he changed roles and was interviewed. He talked to Johannes Fischer about his enthusiasm for chess, his chess career, his chess wedding and revealed why he is fascinated by mountain climbing. Check out the 77-minute-long interview of the man who is truly indefatigable when it comes to chess. Photo: ChessBase

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

06/02/2025 -

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

‘Morphy Residential Chess Camp’ is offering you a blend of intense training and holistic activities

05/02/2025 -

Chess-Music-Nature. It may sound like a retreat, but it's actually what the Morphy Chess Academy is offering through their training camp. Their 'Morphy Residential Chess Camp' combines intense chess training with holistic activities. Last year, nine players from different cities came together to train under CM Vinod Bhagwat, a renowned chess coach in Nashik. This year, the camp is scheduled from 20th to 30th April. Check out the article for insights into how the last camp was organized and how you can participate in the upcoming one. Photo: Vinod Bhagwat

Sharan Rao triumphs at Big Rook Chinese New Year Open 2025

05/02/2025 -

IM Sharan Rao scored an unbeaten 6/7 to win Big Rook Chinese New Year Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. 13-year-old Rumi Arjuna Malique Cairel Adrin (MAS) scored 5.5/7 to secure second place. Bei Er (CHN) and FM Poompong Wiwatanadate (THA) scored 5/7 each. They were placed third and fourth respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was THB 30000 (≈ ₹77643) + trophies, medals and certificates. The top three prizes were THB 5000 + trophy, 3000 and 2400 each. Louie Salvador (PHI) won the Blitz Rating Open scoring 8/9. FM Jony Habla (PHI) finished second 7.5/9. Sharan secured third place 7/9. The top three prizes in Blitz were THB 1400 + trophy, 1000 and 700 each. This was Sharan's second overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Big Rook Chess Academy, Bangkok

Ambit Chess Club: A new go-to place for chess lovers

05/02/2025 -

Have you ever walked into a place and felt the incredible vibe right away? That’s exactly what happened on January 18th at the Ambit Chess Club. Ambit turned their cafeteria into an amazing chess club and it has already become a favorite spot for chess lovers. The response to the three events held so far has been fantastic. If you want to compete, learn ,or just enjoy the game, this is the perfect place for you! But don’t forget, registration is mandatory! Check out the article to find out how you can sign up.

Sethuraman set to battle at Indonesia GM Round Robin in Bandung this February

05/02/2025 -

Two round-robin GM and IM tournaments are set to start in ten days from 15th February at Indonesian resort city of Bandung. Well accomplished GM Sethuraman S P will be the sole Indian in the strong field. GM Eltaj Safarli (AZE), GM Temur Kuybokarov (AUS), GM Susanto Megaranto (INA), GM Daniel Quizon (PHI), and GM Novendra Priasmoro (INA) will be five more Grandmasters in the event featuring twelve players. The tournaments are annually held by PERCASI to provide title norm opportunities for their players. Check out the preview of the tournaments written by FM FT IA Peter Long, International Media Officer for both GM and IM tournaments. Photo: IA NI Vivek Sohani

Subhayan Kundu clear first at 3rd Lt. Diloo Dhar Memorial Rating Open 2025

04/02/2025 -

IM Subhayan Kundu scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 3rd Lt. Diloo Dhar Memorial Rating Open 2025. IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni and Abhrojyoti Nath scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹750000. The top three prizes were ₹111000, ₹71000 and ₹50000 along with a trophy each respectively. The five-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Siddhanandaji Education Trust at Neer The Banquet in Silchar, Assam from 24th to 28th January 2025. This was Subhayan's first rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: FA Pranab Kumar Nath

UTRGV perfect at Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship 2025, Harshit Raja second in Blitz

04/02/2025 -

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Team A won Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship 2025. The winning team scored a perfect 5.5/6. University of Texas at Dallas Team B secured second place, scoring 5/6. GM Koustav Chatterjee contributed scored 1.5/4. Saint Louis University Team A and Webster University Team A scored 4.5/6 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. GM Harsha Bharathakoti scored an unbeaten 5/6. The top four teams have qualified to the President's Cup. It will take place in April this year. GM Harshit Raja (Mizzou University) scored 5/6 to secure second place in Blitz Open. Photo: University of Texas at Dallas

Mitrabha Guha decimates 1st Jaipur Rapid Rating Open 2025

04/02/2025 -

GM Mitrabha Guha scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 1st Jaipur Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. IM Aaditya Dhingra and IM Aaryan Varshney scored 8/9 each. They were placed second and third respectively according to tie-breaks. Mitrabha's sole draw was against the eventual second runner-up, Aaryan. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹750000. The top three prizes were ₹75000, ₹50000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each respectively. The two-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Waves at Hotel Amar Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25th and 26th January 2025. This is Mitrabha's second overall, first rating tournament triumph in 2025. Photo: FA Jayendra Chaturvedi / Waves

Praggnanandhaa bests Gukesh in thrilling Playoffs to clinch 87th Tata Steel Masters

03/02/2025 -

How would you react after losing the final round and first tie-break games? R Praggnanandhaa needed a draw in the final round to become a clear champion as the World Champion, D Gukesh lost to compatriot and World no.4, Arjun Erigaisi. Praggnanandhaa suffered defeat against Vincent Keymer (GER) and then also went down against Gukesh in the first tie-break game. However, he regrouped himself, won the second tie-break and then the sudden death game. In 2006, Vishy Anand jointly won this event with Veselin Topalov (BUL). His last solo triumph was in 2004, back then it was named Corus tournament instead of Tata Steel. A little over 19 years later, Praggnanandhaa became the second Indian to win the 'Wimbledon of chess' and once again solidified himself as one of the top players of the world. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025

Vedant Panesar victorious at Tata Steel Qualifiers 2025

03/02/2025 -

FM Vedant Panesar scored an unbeaten 6/9 to win Tata Steel Chess Qualifiers 2025. This triumph earned him a place in the Challengers section of 2026 edition. He finished a half point ahead of the field. FM Leandro Slagboom (NED) and FM Tim Grutter (NED) scored 5.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively. The top three prizes were New in Chess book voucher worth €90, €60 and €40 each respectively. More than the prize fund, advancing to the Challengers is a big deal for the champion. This is the first tournament triumph for Vedant in 2025. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025

Nikhil Dixit wins 1st Chessniti Academy and The Playce Rapid Rating Open 2025

03/02/2025 -

FM Nikhil Dixit and FM Ritvik Krishnan scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 each at 1st Chessniti Academy and The Playce Rapid Rating Open 2025. Nikhil won the tournament due to better tie-break scores. Ritvik secured second place. FM Anirudhha Potawad, CM Vedant Pimpalkhare and Nameet Chavan scored 8/9 each. They were placed third, fourth and fifth respectively. The total cash prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹20000 + trophy, ₹10000 and ₹8000 each respectively. The one-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Chessniti Academy and The Playce at Marathon Futurex in Mumbai, Maharashtra on 26th January 2025. This is Nikhil's first tournament triumph in 2025. Photo: Ravindra Potawad

How to find a player behind their online profile with ChessBase 18

02/02/2025 -

ChessBase 18 offers a feature called "Identify Player" that allows you to discover the real-life identity of a strong Grandmaster playing on a chess server. By comparing a player's online games with the Mega Database, you can identify who they are by matching their game patterns and ELO rating. This function can also be used to compare your own games with other players in the same rating range, helping you find your "chess twin." Chief developer Matthias Wuellenweber shows how to find an unknown player from an online chess server with ChessBase 18. Check out the tutorial and grab ChessBase 18 if you haven't yet. Photo: ChessBase

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