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From Biscuits to the United Nations: How Vivian Ibrahim Is Changing Lives Through Chess

30/04/2026 -

In the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps of northeastern Nigeria, chess is becoming far more than just a game. Through the efforts of Vivian Ibrahim, children growing up amid uncertainty are finding focus, confidence, and a path back to education. From local camps to the halls of the United Nations, this remarkable journey shines light on the power chess has in reshaping lives.
Photo: Vivian Ibrahim

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Can you solve these positions from the Chola Chess camp?

30/04/2026 -

Chola Chess is building a dedicated space for India's strong chess players to train and improve. It is led by R. B. Ramesh and Aarthie Ramaswamy, and supported by a committed team. With consistent camps and serious training, it has already impacted over 1300 players across the country. In this article, we take a look at some of the positions studied during a Chola Chess camp. Take your time and see if you can solve them.

Abhimanyu Mishra wins 5th Menorca Open 2026, Leon Luke Mendonca finishes second

30/04/2026 -

Abhimanyu Mishra scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win the 5th Menorca Open 2026. Abhimanyu Mishra (USA), Leon Luke Mendonca (IND), Li Di (CHN), and Tomas Sosa (ARG), all 4 players, scored 7.5/9 to secure 1st to 4th positions respectively according to tiebreak scores. The tournament was organised by Chess Menorca at Ciutadella, Menorca, from 7th to 12th April. There was a total of €26,000 in cash prizes, with top 3 prizes of €6000, €4000, and €2500 along with trophies. In addition, there is €10,000 in Chessable chess training and courses. Photos: Saji Mathew and Open Chess Menorca

Aaryan Varshney scores 9/9 to win 7th DD-DBCA Above 1600 Open FIDE Rating 2026

30/04/2026 -

Aaryan Varshney scored a brilliant 9/9 points to win the 7th DD-DBCA Above 1600 Open Fide Rating Chess Tournament-2026. Aaryan remained unbeaten throughout the event and scored a win over runner-up Utsab Chatterjee, too. IM Utsab Chatterjee of RSPB scored 8/9 points to finish 2nd. Despite losing the 1st and 3rd games, local boy Aniket Das won 6 in a row, scoring 7/9 points and securing 3rd place. The tournament was organised by Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy from 20th to 25th March, with a total prize fund of ₹5,00,000, and the top 3 prizes were ₹75,000, ₹60,000, and ₹40,000. Photos: Shahid Ahmed/Checkmate Daily

14-Year-Old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus Becomes Youngest 2700 in Chess History

29/04/2026 -

Turkish phenom Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus has created history!! At the age of 14 years, 10 months, and 13 days, he became the youngest chess player of all time to cross 2700 in live ratings. From 12th to 17th April, Yagiz played a match called the "Clash of Generations" against Former FIDE World Champion Veselin Topalov in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Yagiz scored a 5-1 win over Topalov to increase his rating by 22.4 points and take it to 2709.4. The youngster didn't stop after that and played 2 games for his team, SC Viernheim, in the German Bundesliga, and drew both of the games. After these results, Yagiz will have a published FIDE rating of 2708 on 1st May. The "Clash of Generations" match was organised by The Monegasque Chess Federation, in partnership with the Monte-Carlo Chess Club and with the support of Evren Ucok. Photo: Lennart Ootes

Jake Shanty becomes Kerala's 7th International Master

29/04/2026 -

14-year-old Jake Shanty from Kerala has become the state’s seventh International Master. He achieved all three of his IM norms within just three months. In his early years, he faced health challenges due to respiratory allergies, which limited his ability to travel and play classical events. Despite this, he continued to improve and made a strong comeback on the international stage. Read the full article to know more about his journey.

Can 10-year-old Aarit Kapil become India's youngest International Master?

28/04/2026 -

Ten-year-old Aarit Kapil secured his first International Master norm at the Menorca Open 2026. He scored 5/9 and performed at a rating of 2453. Along the way, he defeated a Grandmaster and an International Master, while also holding another Grandmaster and two International Masters to draws. He made a breakthrough performance against strong opposition in the tournament. Aarit is the same boy who once held Magnus Carlsen to a draw in an online game. The question is: Can Aarit break Pragg's record and become India's youngest International Master? Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Indrajeet Mahindrakar wins Bihar Open Classical FIDE Rating 2026

28/04/2026 -

Indrajeet Mahindrakar scored 8/9 points to clinch the title of Bihar Open Classical FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026. Indrajeet Mahindrakar, GM Petr Kiriakov, and Prithvi Sharma, all three players, scored 8/9 points to secure top-3 positions on tiebreak scores. Indrajeet lost just one game against Petr, while Prithvi and Petr were unbeaten throughout the tournament. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹10,00,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹1,00,000, ₹60,000, and ₹40,000 along with trophies. The tournament was organised by All Bihar Chess Association from 25th to 29th March 2026 at Patliputra Sports Complex Indoor Stadium, Patna, Bihar. Photos: Aman Kumar/ All Bihar Chess Association

Ian Nepomniachtchi will be in action at the Sardinia World Chess Festival 2026

28/04/2026 -

Following a break of almost two months from classical chess, Ian Nepomniachtchi will be seen in action at the Sardinia World Chess Festival 2026. As the Sardinia Tournament is also included in the FIDE Circuit 2026-27, winning here would help the players to climb up in the FIDE Circuit leaderboard. Ian Nepomniachtchi and Parham Maghsoodloo are two 2700+ rated players taking part in this wonderful tournament. The tournament will be hosted at the beautiful ITI Marina Beach Hotel & Resort, located in Orosei, right next to the Sardinian coastline, from 3 May to 10 May 2026. Photo: Michal Walusza

Diving Chess World Championship 2026 to be held on 16–17 May in Poland

27/04/2026 -

What if every chess move had to be made before you ran out of breath? That’s exactly the world of Diving Chess. The game is played in a swimming pool, where players dive underwater to make their moves. It is an interesting format that tests both physical endurance and chess calculation under challenging conditions. This year, the Diving Chess World Championship 2026 will take place on 16–17 May in Poland. Good news for Indians is that GM Harshit Raja will also be taking part in the event. Read the full article to discover more about Diving Chess. Photo: Officials

A New Chapter of Inclusiveness through Ashadeep’s Unique Chess Tournament

27/04/2026 -

A special chess tournament between visually impaired and sighted players was jointly organised by Ashadeep Apang Mahila Bal Vikas Sanstha, the Nagpur Chess Association, and the Freemasons on 28 February 2026 at the auditorium of Vidarbha Samshodhan Mandal. Held for the third consecutive year, the tournament conveyed a unique message of social inclusiveness. In the inaugural session, Dr. Jyoti Shiwalkar, on behalf of Ashadeep, introduced the organisation and stated that the objective behind organising this competition is to enhance confidence and sportsmanship among the visually impaired. Photos: Tejinder Singh Rawal

New: Ivan Sokolov's Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol.14 - Available now!!

27/04/2026 -

The Benoni family of openings has toppled world champions, decided match games under the highest pressure, and rewarded those brave enough to play them with some of the most electrifying chess imaginable. In this Fritztrainer, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov continues his successful series "Understanding Middlegame Structures" - takes you deep inside the complexities of the Colour Reversed Benoni, the Colour-Reversed Benko Gambit, and the Colour-Reversed Blumenfeld Gambit. This course is ideal for advanced chess players who wish to deepen their structural understanding of one of chess's most theoretically rich opening families. Photos: ChessBase

12 Year old Avirat Chauhan wins Children’s Research University Open Rapid Rating 2026

26/04/2026 -

12-year-old Avirat Chauhan of Maharashtra scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win the Children’s Research University presents All India Open FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament 2026. All top 3 finishers, including Avirat Chauhan, Rosh Jain, and Aansh Nandan Nerurkar, scored 8.5/9 points to secure top 3 positions on tie-break scores. The tournament was organised by CR University at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, on 29th March 2026. The total prize fund of this One Day Rapid Rating event was ₹7,00,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹51,000, ₹41,000, and ₹31,000. Photos: IA Prof R. Anantharam

Raahul VS wins 7th Shaastra Rapid Rating 2026

26/04/2026 -

Raahul VS of Tamil Nadu, who recently achieved the GM title by winning the ASEAN Chess Championship, won the 7th Shaastra Rapid Rating Tournament 2026, organized by the Shaastra, a techno entertainment festival of the Indian Institute of Technology Chennai. Seven GMs and eight IMs took part in the star-studded event this year, and grandmasters won the top 3 positions. Raahul was half a point ahead of the others, with eight points. The total prize fund for the tournament was five lakhs rupees. Six players tied for the second to seventh places, and GM Vignesh NR had the best tiebreak score among them. Photos: Prof. Rathinam Anantharam

Vaishali’s emotional return to Chennai after winning Candidates 2026

25/04/2026 -

R. Vaishali won the FIDE Candidates 2026 on 15th April. After the award-winning ceremony on 16th April in Cyprus, the whole of India, and especially Chennai, was waiting for its Champion!! It was the early morning of 19th April when Vaishali landed in Chennai, and for her welcome, there were her fans, friends, family members, teachers, media, and so many people, but the most important one was her father, Mr Rameshbabu, we saw the sacrifices and the strength of mother Nagalakshmi but even if Rameshbabu was not physcially present during the event, he was supporting the kids from heart. A Grand Felicitation Ceremony was held in Chennai on 20th April by the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association in honour of the Women's Candidate Winner, R Vaishali. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy, Tushar Damor/ChessBase India

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