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SuperUnited Rapid 2025: Gukesh silences Carlsen, wins five in-a-row to emerge sole leader

04/07/2025 -

Magnus Carlsen had choice words for D Gukesh before the start of Grand Chess Tour SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz 2025. However, the World Champion made the World no.1 eat them in the sixth round as he chained his fifth consecutive win at this event. For the second month in-a-row, Gukesh defeated Carlsen from a losing position. Since last year, the Norwegian has been vocal about the Rapid being the proper format of chess instead of Classical. The 18th World Champion defeated the World no.1 in his preferred format. Is he still the 'presumably weaker' opponent in this event after emerging sole leader 10/12 or will Carlsen start taking him seriously in the Blitz event? We will have to wait and watch. Round 7 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

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

HelpChess Foundation raises Rs. 1.6 crore to support talented Indian chess players in 2024-25

04/07/2025 -

HelpChess Foundation started with only one mission - to support talented Indian chess players who need that extra push. Over the last seven years, the Foundation has grown steadily, both in raising funds and making a meaningful impact on players’ lives. HelpChess is a 12A-registered Charitable Trust with a CSR number that provides benefits to its contributors. Between April 2024 and March 2025, HelpChess Foundation raised Rs. 1,63,48,955. This is the highest amount in any year so far! All of this money goes towards empowering deserving chess players. This year, total 32 players have received support through this initiative. This article will talk about those players and the kind souls who made it all possible.

The 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival starts on 15th August 2025

04/07/2025 -

One of the world’s most prestigious chess festivals is back with its 31st edition! The crown jewel of the festival, Abu Dhabi Masters, is all set to take place from 15th to 24th August 2025 in Abu Dhabi. With a total prize fund of USD 55,500, the event promises to be a great thrill for players as well as fans. The festival will feature 17 different exciting tournaments to offer an opportunity for players of all levels. Like every year, the stakes are high, with USD 15,000 reserved for the winner of the Masters event! Scroll down to explore what’s in store at this chess festival! Photo: Abu Dhabi Chess Festival

Sarbartho Mani, Divi Bijesh and Pratitee Bordoloi clinch Gold at FIDE World Cup Cadets 2025

03/07/2025 -

Sarbartho Mani, WCM Divi Bijesh and WCM Pratitee Bordoloi have clinched Gold in Under-10 Open, Under-10 Girls and Under-12 Girls events at FIDE World Cup Cadet 2025. Sarbartho drew both of his Classical games against compatriot Oishik Mondal. Then he won both Rapid tie-break games to win the Gold. Oishik secured Silver medal. CM Aarit Kapil won both of his games against Iman Nabiyev (KAZ) to win Bronze. In Under-10 Girls, Divi scored full points against WCM Zhihan Chen (CHN) to earn Gold. WCM Sharvaanica A S defeated Nadezhda Vlad Volkova twice to claim Bronze. WCM Pratitee Bordoloi won both of her Classical games against compatriot Aadya Gowda to win Gold. Aadya had to settle for Silver medal. Indian kids were guaranteed five medals in Stage 2 and they were eligible for eight. They won seven out of them, which is outstanding. Photo: Georgia Chess Federation

SuperUnited Rapid 2025: Gukesh beats Praggnanandha, gets in a four-way lead with Carlsen, So and Duda

03/07/2025 -

The first three rounds of Grand Chess Tour SuperUnited Rapid 2025 was as exciting as expected and more. The field includes seven out of the World Top 10. The World Champion, D Gukesh defeated R Praggnanandhaaa to join the lead with Magnus Carlsen (NOR), Wesley So (USA) and Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL). Vintage Carlsen grinded an equal endgame against So. In the following round, he was on the verge of a loss in the final moments of a queen endgame against Duda. After starting with a loss, Gukesh won the next two games including a win over Alireza Firouzja (FRA) and the former's compatriot. Gukesh will face Carlsen in the sixth round today. Round 4 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Importance Of Visualization Training for Chess Players

03/07/2025 -

If you are struggling with calculations in chess, you are not alone. It's one of the most common challenges players face. Yet, it is one of the most critical areas of chess improvement. This article will cover the root of most calculation issues: weak visualization. In this, you will find the effective techniques to strengthen both calculation and visualization. If you are a beginner trying to calculate a few moves or an advanced player trying for precision, this article will guide you to train smarter and think deeper on the board. Photo: Envato

AICF launches quarterly stipend scheme to support young chess players

03/07/2025 -

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has launched the Top National Players Stipend Scheme (TNPSS), an initiative to provide financial support to India's young chess talents. Under this scheme, the players will receive a quarterly stipend of Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 (depending on the age group). The aim is to ease the financial burden on families and help young players focus fully on their game. The first set of beneficiaries has already received their stipends. Check out the article to know who these players are and what they had to say about this scheme.

1st Andaman International Open FIDE-Rated Chess Tournament to be held from 23rd to 28th August

03/07/2025 -

The 1st Andaman International Open FIDE-Rated Chess Tournament will be held in Port Blair from 23rd to 28th August 2025. It will be a 9-round classical tournament with the time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from the first move. Out of the total prize fund of Rs. 7,00,000, the winner will take home Rs. 1,00,000. Titled players and players rated above 2000 will receive free entry for this event. The last date of registration for this tournament is 10th July. Check out the article to know more. Photo: Andaman Nicobar Chess Association

Dinesh Kumar H triumphs at 21st Delhi GM Category C Below 1700 Rating 2025

02/07/2025 -

Dinesh Kumar H and 12-year-old Naitik Sethi scored 9/10 each at 21st Delhi GM Category C Below 1700 Rating Tournament 2025. Dinesh won the tournament on tie-breaks, Naitik secured second place. Sibi M edged past seven more players to claim third place scoring 8.5/10. The total prize fund was ₹12100000, ₹3500000 in Category C. The top three prizes were ₹400000, ₹300000 and ₹200000 along with a trophy each. The four-day ten round Below 1700 Rating tournament was organized by Delhi Chess Association at Tivoli Gardens in New Delhi from 11th to 14th June 2025. This is Dinesh's first rating tournament triumph of his career. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

Aditya Vikram Paul wins 2nd SXCCAA Rapid Rating Open 2025

02/07/2025 -

FM Aditya Vikram Paul and GM Mitrabha Guha scored 9.5/11 each at 2nd SXCCAA Rapid Rating Open 2025. Aditya won the tournament due to better tie-break score, Mitrabha secured second place. Four players - Soham Bhattacharyya, IM Souhardo Basak, FM Ankit Ray and Ritabrata Chakraborty scored 9/11 each. They were placed third to sixth each respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹16000 and ₹12000 along with a trophy each respectively. The three-day eleven round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by St. Xavier's College Calcutta Alumni Association in association with Department of Sports St. Xavier's College Autonomous, Kolkata at St. Xavier's College Autonomous in Kolkata, West Bengal from 9th to 11th June 2025. This is Aditya's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh set to face Carlsen and co. at SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz 2025

02/07/2025 -

The third event of the Grand Chess Tour 2025 season is SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz. The defending champion, Fabiano Caruana (USA) will be joined by Magnus Carlsen (NOR), R Praggnanandhaa, World Champion - D Gukesh, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), Alireza Firouzja (FRA), Anish Giri (NED), Wesley So (USA), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) and Ivan Saric (CRO).The total prize fund is $175000. The top three prizes are $40000, $30000 and $25000. Who do you think will win this tournament? The tournament takes place at The Westin Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia. In the first round, it will be Duda vs Gukesh and Firouzja vs Praggnanandhaa. Round 1 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Catch all the action on our youtube channel with live commentary by Amruta Mokal and IM Sagar Shah. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Praggnanandhaa is World no.4 and India no.1 in July 2025 FIDE Rating List

01/07/2025 -

It is official that R Praggnanandhaa is World no.4 and India no.1 in FIDE Rating List July 2025. He gained a total of 11.7 Elo rating points combining 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial and 2nd UzChess Cup Masters 2025. Arjun Erigaisi became World Rapid Team 2025 Champion. However, in Classical he dropped few points to move to World no.5. World Champion, D Gukesh maintained his rating by adding 0.4 Elo points at 13th Norway Chess. He is at World no.6. GM Pentala Harikrishna, GM Raunak Sadhwani and GM Abhimanyu Puranik added 1.7, 8.8 and 12.6 Elo rating points due to mostly from French Top 16. Despite losing rating points, GM Koneru Humpy moved up to World no.5 among Women, due other players' movements in the ranking. GM Harika Dronavalli gained 4.9 Elo points at 5th Cairns Cup. She is at World no.12. Four Indian Women are still among the Top 20. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

How did an IIT-IIM student Atharvaa Tayade become a secret weapon for Team MGD1?

01/07/2025 -

A player who left competitive chess for academics, but kept playing online 'just for fun'. Years later, he returns and destroys the World Rapid Team Championships 2025 with an insane 11/12 score! He is Atharvaa Tayade, an IIM student who helped Team MGD1 become World Rapid Champions. Think about this: An IITian, an MBA student who turned out to be an unexpected chess hero! His story will make you, or honestly, all of us, rethink what's possible. Check out the article to learn how this "recreational" player outsmarted the professional players. Photo: FIDE/Rafal Oleksiewicz

An invitation to Grandmasters for the GM Zia Memorial 2025

01/07/2025 -

Ziaur Rahman was the heart of Bangladeshi Chess. He became the country's second Grandmaster in 2002 and has inspired others, not only in Bangladesh but across the globe, with his journey. He passed away on 5th July 2024, but he left behind a legacy that still lives on in the memories he created and the games he played. To carry that legacy forward, the GM Zia Memorial 2025 will be held from 4th to 12th July in Dhaka. It will be a 9-round classical tournament. The organizers are specifically inviting Grandmasters to join this tribute with special conditions. Read the article to know more. Photo: Bangladesh Chess Federation

Nine Indians will feature at FIDE Women's World Cup 2025

01/07/2025 -

Nine Indian women will be seen in action at FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 starting on 6th July in Batumi, Georgia. The top four Indians - GM Koneru Humpy, GM Harika Dronavalli, GM R Vaishali and IM Divya Deshmukh will play from Round 2 as they are the seeded players. The remaining five will have to play the first round. The pairings for them are - IM Yuxin Song (CHN) vs WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty, WGM Zsoka Gaal (HUN) vs WIM Priyanka K, WFM Lala Shohradova (TKM) vs IM Vantika Agrawal, IM Padmini Rout vs Lanlin Zhang (CHN) and WIM Anahi Ortiz Verdezoto (ECU) vs WGM Nandhidhaa P V. Opening Ceremony and Draw of Colors is on 5th July. Round 1 Game 1 starts on Saturday 6th July. Photo: FIDE

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