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Pranav Venkatesh on the verge of winning Fujairah Global Superstars

01/09/2025 -

GM Pranav Venkatesh heads into the final round of Fujairah Global 2025 Superstars with a half point lead. He drew his penultimate round game against GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA). Pranav has been dominant throughout the event. His final round opponent will be GM Alan Pichot (ESP). The top seed of the event, GM Nihal Sarin ended GM Jiner Zhu's (CHN) unbeaten run with a fantastic display of positional chess. GM S L Narayanan won a 114-move long grueling marathon ending with a bishop and knight checkmate against the UAE no.1, GM Salem Saleh. In the Masters, IM Jubin Jimmy lost an equal rook and knight endgame against GM Brewington Hardaway (USA) who regained his sole lead 7/8. Round 9 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 11:30 a.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

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New: Svitlana Demchenko: Silence the Sicilian - Win with the Alapin Variation (2.c3)

31/08/2025 -

This practical course offers a clean and effective response to the Sicilian Defense. By playing 2.c3, you sidestep heavy theory and gain early central control, logical development, and aggressive yet manageable positions. The course includes structured explanations, model games, and interactive training tools to help you confidently master the Alapin and outplay your opponents. Apart from downloading files and installing on your computer, you can now stream videos and study from ChessBase books on any device - computer, smartphone, tablets etc. The app runs on both Windows and Mac OSX. For Windows device, Windows 10 or higher is required. Get this FritzTrainer and enrich your knowledge in the Alapin by WIM Svitlana Demchenko. Photo: ChessBase

Yeoh Li Tian wins 1st Chess Hub - MCF GM IM Invitational 2025, creates history, Harshavardhan G B second

31/08/2025 -

IM Yeoh Li Tian (MAS) scored 7/9 to win 1st Chess Hub - MCF GM IM Invitational 2025. He not only won the tournament but also became the first Grandmaster of Malaysia by earning his final GM-norm. Former Asian Junior champion, IM Harshavardhan G B scored 6.5/9 to secure second place. His sole loss was against the eventual champion and GM Yeoh in the fifth round. GM Duc Hoa Nguyen (VIE) scored 6/9 to be placed third. The top three prizes were RM 10000 + trophy, 5000 and 3000 each.The seven-day nine round Rating Invitational tournament  was organized by Malaysian Chess Federation and Chess Hub Sdn. Bhd.  at Corus Hotel (KLCC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 28th July to 3rd August 2025. The tournament will forever be etched in the memory of Yeoh and all Malaysians as it witnessed history. Photo: Malaysian Chess Federation

Fujairah Global R7: Pranav Venkatesh outwits Tabatabaei, emerges sole leader

31/08/2025 -

GM Pranav Venkatesh defeated his coleader GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI) to emerge sole leader at Fujairah Global 2025 Superstars. Pranav played fantastic chess as he punished his opponent's positional mistakes. Pranav moved to 5.5/7, a full point ahead of the rest. Eight players including GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) are at 4.5/7 each. GM Pranesh M, GM Nihal Sarin and GM Aditya Mittal are at 4/7 each. Pranesh played ambitiously against GM Nikolas Thedorou (GRE). The Greece no.1 thwarted Pranesh's all attempts and the game ended in a draw. Aditya had a well contested draw against GM Sam Shankland (USA). In the Masters section, GM Karthik Venkataraman shared the point with GM Brewington Hardaway (USA). IM Jubin Jimmy played a beautiful game to beat GM Vahap Sanal (TUR) and join the lead with Brewington. Round 8 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

FIDE Trainers Seminar - Madurai 2025

30/08/2025 -

Chess is indubitably the number one sport in India. World Champion, both Olympiad Gold medalists, Women's World Cup winners are currently from India. Players from all over the country are winning accolades at various events from junior to senior events. To ensure the momentum and the legacy continues for a really long time, there needs to be an infusion of quality chess trainers. More chess coaches who are properly trained can help learn budding talents to become strong, work efficiently and effectively. Last month, All India Chess Federation announced ten FIDE Trainers' Seminar. The second one took place in Madurai, Tamil Nadu from 22nd to 24th August. GM FST Srinath Narayanan and GM FT Akash Ganesan were the trainers at that event. Check out Akash's account of the seminar. Photo: Guhan Matriculation Higher Secondary School

Ilia Martinovici wins 2nd Trinakria Festival Open 2025, Bala Chandra Prasad second

30/08/2025 -

IM Ilia Martinovici (MDA) scored 7.5/9 to win 2nd Trinakria Chess Festival Open A (≥1900) 2025. IM Bala Chandra Prasad Dhulipalla and GM Alessio Valsecchi (ITA) scored 7/9 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the festival was €10000. The top three prizes were €2200 + trophy, €1500 + trophy and €1000 each. The eight-day nine round Rating Open A (≥1900) tournament was organized by ASD Matti per gli Scacchi  at Circolo degli Ufficiali dell'Esercito - Piazza Sant'Oliva Palermo in Palermo, Italy from 27th July to 3rd August 2025. FM R Ashwath scored 5/9 to be placed fifth. IM Bhakti Kulkarni was the top female finisher scoring 5/9. Photo: Matti per gli scacchi

Fujairah Global R6: Tabatabaei becomes the new coleader of Pranav Venkatesh

30/08/2025 -

GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI) outplayed GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) in the sixth round of Fujairah Global 2025 Superstars. GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) drew against GM Pranav Venkatesh. Thus, Tabatabaei became the new coleader of Pranav. Both are at 4.5/6 each. They will inevitably clash against each other in Round 7. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) continues her impressive run as she had a well contested draw against GM Andrew Hong (USA). World's youngest GM Abhimanyu Mishra played fantastic chess to beat the strong tactician, GM Raunak Sadhwani. GM Aditya Mittal drew against GM Ivan Cheparinov (BUL) to move to 3.5/6. The top seed, GM Nihal Sarin scored a welcome victory after three draws, against GM Alexander Motylev (ROU). Round 7 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Karthik Venkataraman convincingly clinches Brasov GP 2025 with a 2753 performance, Pranesh M second

29/08/2025 -

GM Karthik Venkataraman scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win Brașov Grand Prix A (>2000) 2025. Karthik performed at 2753, finished a half point ahead of the rest. GM Pranesh M scored sole 7.5/9 to secure second place. The top seed of the tournament, GM Pouya Idani (IRI) and GM Titas Stremavicius (LTU) scored 7/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Karthik defeated the top seed and eventual second runner-up, Pouya in Round 4 and drew against the runner-up, Pranesh in Round 5. The total prize fund was €36000. The top three prizes were €5000, €3000 and €2000 along with a trophy each. This was Karthik's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Federatia Romana de Sah

Namig Guliyev wins 18th Plancoët Open 2025, Sanket Chakravarty second

29/08/2025 -

GM Namig Guliyev (AZE), IM Sanket Chakravarty and GM Jean-Marc Degraeve (FRA) scored 7/9 each at 18th Plancoët Open A (>1800) 2025. Namig won the tournament on tie-breaks, Sanket and Jean-Marc were placed second and third respectively. The top three remained undefeated. Sanket drew with both eventual champion, Namig and the second runner-up, Jean-Marc. The total prize fund of Open A was €7000. The first prize was €1500 + trophy. The seven-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Emeraude Echecs at Salle Omnisport Joseph Samson de Plancoët in Plancoët, France from 27th July to 2nd August 2025. Photo: Émeraude Échecs - Club d'Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

Fujairah Global R5: Pranav Venkatesh too sharp for Jose Eduardo Martinez

29/08/2025 -

GM Pranav Venkatesh defeated GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara (MEX) in the fifth round of Fujairah Global 2025 Superstars. Pranav played a sharp game against the Mexico no.1 to maintain his lead. GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) defeated GM Gleb Dudin (HUN) to also remain at the top with Pranav at 4/5 each. GM Raunak Sadhwani and GM Aditya Mittal got great winning chances against GM Andrew Hong (USA) and GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) respectively. GM Pranesh M held GM Nihal Sarin to a draw where the top seed managed to avert a disaster. Round 6 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

How the Northeast's rising star Arshiya Das is making her remarkable chess climb

28/08/2025 -

One name that is shining brightly from Northeast India is Arshiya Das. This 14-year old girl has crossed the 2100 mark, secured her first WIM norm and is aiming to become the first Woman International Master from the entire region. Arshiya’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. In this article, we explore the milestones, challenges, and support that have shaped her into one of India’s most promising young talents. Read on to see what keeps young talents like her moving forward against all odds. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Fujairah Global R3-4: Pranav Venkatesh and Jiner Zhu in the leaders' pack

28/08/2025 -

GM Pranav Venkatesh drew both of his games in Round 3 and 4 to stay at the top in Fujairah Global 2025 Superstars. Pranav first drew against GM Aydin Suleymanli (AZE) in 16 moves. Then he had a well contested draw against GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) where the majority of the endgame featured all four bishops. The sole female participant in the Superstars, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) is also at an unbeaten 3/4. GM Raunak Sadhwani and GM Aditya Mittal are at 2.5/4 each. Raunak drew against GM Ivan Zemlyanskii and then defeated, GM Leon Luke Mendonca. Aditya on the other hand first defeated the two-time Asian Junior champion, GM Aleksey Grebnev and then split the point with GM Abhimanyu Mishra. Round 5 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

Wesley So wins Sinquefield Cup 2025 via Playoffs, Praggnanandhaa second

28/08/2025 -

Wesley So (USA) won Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2025 after nine years by winning the Playoffs. R Praggnanandhaa drew his ninth round game against Levon Aronian (USA). Fabiano Caruana (USA) also shared the point versus the reigning World Champion, D Gukesh. Wesley So (USA) defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) to finish with the same score as Praggnanandhaa and Caruana 5.5/9 each. They had to battle each other in 5'+2" Playoffs. Praggnanandhaa won the first game against Caruana. So defeated Praggnanandhaa in the second game. He drew the third game of the Playoffs against Caruana, thus he became champion scoring 1.5/2 in the Blitz tie-break games. Praggnanandhaa finished second as he scored 1/2, Caruana third as he only managed to score 0.5/2. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA), Caruana, Aronian and Praggnanandhaa will battle in Sao Paolo, Brazil at the GCT Finals from 27th September to 3rd October 2025. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Dinmukhammed Makhanbetali wins 49th Sitges Open B 2025, Marium Fatima second and Parth Moghe third

27/08/2025 -

Dinmukhammed Makhanbetali (KAZ) and Marium Fatima scored 7.5/9 each at 49th Vila de Sitges Open Group B (1650-1950) 2025. The 11-year-old Dinmukhammed won the tournament and Marium was placed second according to tie-breaks. Parth Moghe edged past four more players on tie-breaks to secure third place. The total prize fund of the tournament was €8000. The top three prizes in Group B were €450 + trophy, €300 and €200 each. Karthik Kumbhar and Advaith Asokumar scored 6.5/9 each to claim fifth and sixth place respectively. Vijay Chauhan scored 6/9 to be placed tenth. In Group A, IM Subhayan Kundu scored 7/9 to finish fourth. WIM Angela Franco Valencia (COL) was the top female finisher. She scored 6/9 to finish tenth overall, win Best Female prize and also secure her maiden WGM-norm. Photos: FI Niklesh Jain

Praggnanandhaa or Caruana - Who will win Sinquefield Cup?

27/08/2025 -

R Praggnanandhaa drew against Wesley So (USA) to maintain his lead, heading into the last round of Grand Chess Tour Sinquefield Cup 2025. Fabiano Caruana (USA) also shared the point with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA). Thus, both Caruana and Praggnanandhaa are at 5/8 each. The World Champion, D Gukesh played a hard-fought draw against the two-time FIDE World Cup winner, Levon Aronian (USA). Aronian and So are at 4.5/8 each. The top four finishers of the GCT standings will have to the Finals of the season slated to take place in Brazil later this year. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) scored his first of the event against Alireza Firouzja (FRA). Round 9 starts today at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

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