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How 9-year-old Sarbartho Mani became Team Freedom's youngest star

26/06/2025 -

What's it like to play on the same team as your childhood hero? Sarbartho Mani lived every Indian chess fan's dream when he joined Team Freedom alongside Viswanathan Anand at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2025. Sarbartho opened up about his experience of being part of a star-studded team, how did he prepare with team captain Emil Sutovsky. Emil also shared why he chose the young talent for his team and what made Sarbartho stand out. And when it comes to Sarbartho's journey, who better to speak than his parents, who have been by his side all the time. Read the article to know more. Photo: John Brezina

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

Pranav K P dominates 3rd Check N Mate Rapid Rating Open 2025

26/06/2025 -

15-year-old FM Pranav K P scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 3rd Check N Mate Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. Half a dozen players - Dr. IM Anwesh Upadhyaya, Siddhanth Poonja, Sham R, IM Ravi Teja S, Chairth Bhat and Ankit Gajwa scored 8/9 each. They secured second to seventh place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹30000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. The two-day nine round Rapid Rating tournament was organized by Check N Mate at Vishwa Vidyapeeth School in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 31st May and 1st June 2025. This is Pranav's fourth overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Check N Mate

7-year-old Shivay Singh wins Royal Jaipur Under-1800 Rating Tournament 2025

26/06/2025 -

7-year-old Shivay Singh and Sudip Patil scored 7/8 each at Royal Jaipur Under-1800 Rating Tournament 2025. The little kid from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh won the tournament due to better tie-break score. Sudip secured second place. Five players scored 7.5/9 each. Among them, 11-year-old Kavyansh Jain was placed third. Both Shivay and Kavyansh remained undefeated. The total prize fund was ₹1150000. The top three prizes were ₹100000, ₹75000 and ₹50000 along with a trophy each. The three-day nine round Under-1800 Rating tournament was organized by Royal Chess Club and Services at Hotel Amar Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan from 30th May to 1st June 2025. This is Pushkar's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Neelesh Kumawat

2nd UzChess Cup R7: Abdusattorov bounces back, Arjun and Sindarov in the fray

25/06/2025 -

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) bounced back with an emphatic victory over Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) in Round 7 of 2nd UzChess Cup Masters 2025. Abdusattorov got a better position out of the opening and he managed to convert it without any difficulty. Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) scored the only other victory of the round when Aravindh Chithambaram traded queens at an inopportune moment. Arjun Erigaisi drew with Richard Rapport. Both Sindarov and Arjun are trailing the sole leader Abdusattorov by a half point at 4.5/7 each. R Praggnanandhaa ended his tough losing streak by sharing the point with Ian Nepomniachtchi. The penultimate Round 8 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Checkmate Chess Academy invites you to 1st Checkmate Rating Open 2025 offering prize fund worth ₹1100000

25/06/2025 -

Checkmate Chess Academy invites all chess players around the world in the inaugural edition of Checkmate Rating Open 2025. It is scheduled to take place from 9th to 13th July 2025. The tournament offers the highest ever total prize fund for a non-GM Classical Rating Open tournament in West Bengal. The total prize fund is ₹1100000. The top three prizes are ₹100000, ₹70000 and ₹50000 along with a trophy and medal each. So far 136 players including two IMs have registered. Entry is FREE for GMs, IMs, WGMs, WIMs. Last date of registration is 5th July. So hurry up and register now if you have not yet as only a limited number of entries will be accepted. Photos: Tournament circular

Sohum Lohia's journey to becoming an International Master through his mother's eyes

25/06/2025 -

Sohum Lohia, a 15-year-old prodigy from England, recently became an International Master. He achieved his final IM norm as well as the Bronze medal at the Southend Easter Chess Festival. Usually, when a player earns a title, we speak to the player. But this time, we are doing something different. This article is about everything that goes on behind the scenes. It's Sohum’s story told by his mother, Aarti Lohia. She is the person who has been there through every high and every low in Sohum’s journey. Read the article to know their story. Photo: Linda Brownlee

Ahaz E U clear first at 34th CUSAT Rating Open 2025

25/06/2025 -

The reigning Kerala State Under-17 champion, 14-year-old Ahaz E U scored an unbeaten 7.5/8 to win 34th CUSAT Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Six players - Safal Fazil, Padmaesh M K, Abdallah M Nisthar, Karan J P, Sreehari S Mecheril and Pranav Chandra Mohan scored 7/8 each. They were placed second to seventh according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹350000. The top three prizes were ₹30000, ₹25000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each. The four-day eight round Rating tournament was organized by Department of Physical Education CUSAT at CUSAT Campus in Cochin, Kerala from 24th to 27th May 2025. This is Ahaz's seventh overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Dr. Ajith Mohan K R / CUSAT Chess Club Cochin

Yogit S wins Warrior Chess Academy Rating Open 2025

25/06/2025 -

Yogit S and Surendran N scored 8/9 each at Warrior Chess Academy Rating Open 2025. Yogit won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Surendran was placed second. Seven players scored 7.5/9 each. Out of them, Vijay Shreeram P was adjudged third. The total prize fund was ₹400001. The top three prizes were ₹40001, ₹30000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each. The five-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by Warrior Chess Academy and Capa Chess Academy at LBEAAR Matric Higher Secondary School in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 27th to 31st May 2025. This is Yogit's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: P Anand Babu / Warrior Chess Academy

2nd UzChess Cup R6: Battle of the Nodirbeks last over six hours where Yakubboev prevails, Arjun joins the lead

24/06/2025 -

The sixth round of 2nd UzChess Cup Masters 2025 had everything one can ask for in a super tournament. Richard Rapport (HUN) won an exciting game against R Praggnanandhaa where 'The Artist' showed his signature style. On the other hand, the battle of the Nodirbeks was an absolute thriller. Abdusattorov was on the back foot for the better part of the game. In the endgame, it seemed like the former World Rapid champion might squeeze out a draw. However, in the final moments, he made a huge blunder which cost him the game against the defending champion, Yakubboev. Arjun Erigaisi drew with Javokhir Sindarov (UZB). Currently, Arjun, Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) and Abdusattorov are in a three-way lead 4/6. Round 7 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Sattwik Swain and Girisha Prasanna Pai are 38th National Under-9 Open and Girls 2025 Champions

24/06/2025 -

World Cadet 2024 Under-8 Open Silver medalist, Sattwik Swain (ODI) scored an unbeaten 10/11 to win 38th National Under-9 Open 2025. Sattwik finished a half point ahead of the rest. Aadwik Abhinav Krishna (KAR) scored sole 9.5/11 to secure second place. Six players scored 8.5/11. Out of them, the top seed of the tournament, Divith Reddy Adulla (TEL) finished third. The newly crowned Maharashtra State Under-9 Girls 2025 champion, Girisha Prasanna Pai (MAH) claimed first place in the Girls event scoring an unbeaten 10.5/11. She finished a full point ahead of the field. Nakshatra Gumudavelly (KAR) scored 9.5/11 to secure second place. Narayani Umesh Marathe (MAH) and Sai Anshitha Puvvala (TEL) scored 8.5/11 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively. The total prize fund combining Open and Girls section was ₹500000. The top three prizes in both Open and Girls sections were ₹50000, ₹36000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each respectively. Photos: Tushar Damor

Pushkar Dere perfect at 1st Imperial Chess World Rapid Rating Open 2025

24/06/2025 -

Pushkar Dere scored won 1st Imperial Chess World Rapid Rating Open 2025 with a perfect score 9/9. He finished a full point ahead of others. FM Anirudhha Potawad and FM Vedant Nagarkatte scored 8/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹10000 and ₹8000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating tournament was organized by Imperial Chess World at Aarna Swarna Banquet Hall in Vasai, Maharashtra on 1st June 2025. This is Pushkar's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Imperial Chess World

Florian Grezels convincingly clinches 9th Lémovices Open 2025, Himal Gusain second

24/06/2025 -

FM Florian Grezels (FRA) scored an unbeaten 6.5/7 to win 9th Lémovices Open 2025 A. Three players - IM Himal Gusain, Erwan Lever (FRA) and Hugo Bocquenet-Drouode (FRA) scored a perfect 5.5/7 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was more than €3400. The top three prizes in Open A were €500, €400 and €300 each. The four-day seven round rating tournament was organized by LEC Echiquier Limousin at Jean Cocteau Cultural Centre Rue de la Beausserie in Limoges, France from 29th May to 1st June 2025. Photo: LECEL

2nd UzChess Cup R5: Abdusattorov regains sole lead, Parham and Arjun in pursuit

23/06/2025 -

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) defeated Aravindh Chithambaram to regain sole lead 4/5 at 2nd UzChess Cup Masters. Aravindh sacrificed a center pawn early in the game, for which he never got enough compensation. Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) outplayed R Praggnanandhaa for the better part of the game. However, in the endgame, Parham faltered and allowed his opponent to escape with a draw. It was not easy to find in low time, he missed it and Parham won the game. Arjun Erigaisi persevered his advantage against Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). Eventually, his opponent made a mistake and Arjun broke through. Both Parham and Arjun are trailing Abdusattorov by a half point at 3.5/5 each. Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) scored the only other win of the round against Richard Rapport (HUN). Ian Nepomniachtchi was disappointed to share the point again, this time it was against Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB). Round 6 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Aurionpro Mumbai International Chess 2025 Round 8: Neelotpal, Lalit and Mamikon lead GM Open, Aansh and Madhesh leading Juniors

23/06/2025 -

We are headed into a highly exciting finish going into the final round of the Aurionpro Mumbai International GM and Junior Chess Tournament 2025. In the GM Open, there are 3 players co-leading with 7/8 points - GM Mamikon Gharibyan, GM Lalit Babu MR, and GM Neelotpal Das! In the Juniors tournament, Aansh Nandan Nerurkar and Madhesh Kumar S are co-leaders with 7/8 points as well. Who do you think will become the Champion of this very strong event? Photos: Himank Ghosh, Vidhi Karelia, Vivek Sohani

Gukesh shares his insights from his Norway Chess 2025 journey

23/06/2025 -

Norway Chess 2025 has been one of the exciting tournaments this year. Whether it's the games or the moment of Magnus Carlsen banging the table after his defeat against the World Champion, the event caught attention for many reasons. After coming back from the tournament, Gukesh had a candid conversation with Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal. He started the tournament with two unexpected losses. Yet, quickly bounced back to give his best! In this interview, Gukesh discussed his games, his fighting spirit, and, of course, the unforgettable viral incident. Check out the article to discover his perspective on these pivotal moments.

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