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Vaibhav Suri leads Letsup MCA GP, Blitz 4 on 24th June

18/06/2020 -

LetsUp presents MCA Grand Prix Blitz 4 will take place on Wednesday 24th June 2020. The third event was once again won by World no.1 in Under-16 and newly crowned Asian Junior Open Online Champion GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. GM Vaibhav Suri currently leads the GP Standings with 26.0/30 followed by Abdusattorov at 21.0/30 and Rasulov at 18.0/30. The entire event will have a total prize fund of ₹155000. Each event in the GP will have a total prize fund of ₹25000 and additional top five finishers of the GP will receive a total of ₹30000. The tournament is Open to everyone all across the world. Entry is FREE for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs. For others, entry fee for each tournament is ₹250. Registration for Blitz 4 is now Open. So far 31 GMs, 34 IMs and 10 WIMs have confirmed their participation for the fourth event. Photo: Niki Riga

The most important chess softwares

Get yourself the most important chess softwares that every chess professional uses. Right from Magnus Carlsen, Vishy Anand, and every strong chess player - ChessBase 15 + Mega Database 2020 is a must. Get your product from the ChessBase India Online shop.

Get ChessBase 15 + Mega Database 2020

The ultimate ChessBase and Mega Database guide

18/06/2020 -

International Master Sagar Shah decided to make a huge tutorial about our flagships - the ChessBase 15 software and the Mega Database. Both software applications are full of content. Once you know what they are capable of, you can't get enough of them and if you use them thoroughly, your chess skills will improve without a doubt. There are a lot of features which one may not know or don't utilize them to its maximum potential, to make sure that you put the correct amount of effort to get the best results, this almost three-long tutorial has been created keeping in mind that you utilize it to your benefit. Find out all ChessBase 15 and Mega Database features in this article

Happy birthday Tigran Petrosian

17/06/2020 -

On the 91st birth anniversary of the first World Chess Champion from Armenia, a retired Sports Editor in one of the leading Bangla newspaper of India, Aajkaal, Mr. Nirmal Kumar Saha decided to pen his memoir of Tigran V Petrosian on his blog. We are all aware of the 'Iron Tigran' and his staunch defense, but what about Petrosian the man himself? How did he start his career, why did he get such a moniker, what are the hardships he had to overcome in his life, a lot of these are lesser known facts among the general populace. In this article we take a quick glance at Petrosian's life as well as his first Candidates, World Championship and few games which showed early signs of things to come. Photo: Dutch National Archives

72-hour Chess Marathon COVID-19 Fund Raiser event by GM P Iniyan raises Rs.121,199

17/06/2020 -

In a previous article, it was covered on how India's 61st GM from Erode, P Iniyan, held a fundraiser event where he would play against everyone who donated a minimum of Rs.150. The 17-year-old played out a 72-hour-marathon online chess against 271 opponents from 10 different countries, donating Rs.121,199 to the COVID 19 cause towards Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's and PM CARES fund. The fundraiser, in view of various time zones across the globe, began at 2.30pm IST on Friday 15th May, 2020 and concluded by 18th May afternoon. This event not only gave an opportunity for chess enthusiasts to play against a Grandmaster by just staying at their home, but also helped them to contribute to a cause!

Being a Chess Parent - Part I

16/06/2020 -

We regularly come across many articles, books, annotations on ChessBase India directed to improve the game of chess players, however there is one more factor of vital importance in the life of every chess aspirant that crucially determines how far they will go in the world of chess: the role of their parents. If you are a chess player, thank you very much for your time and interest in this article, you can skip and go back to your chess practice. If you are not a chess player and a nonprofessional like me whose child happens to show interest in chess, and if you are wondering whether you are guiding the child in the right direction, then this article might answer some of your queries. 

Samay Raina and ChessBase India Foundation raise Rs.3,70,131 for the blind youngsters of India!

16/06/2020 -

On 24th of May 2020 a very interesting stream was held on YouTube. It was hosted by the well-known stand up comedian of India and chess lover Samay Raina. India no.1 and 2 of blind chess Darpan Inani and Kishan Gangolli were pitted against Samay Raina, Biswa Kalyan Rath and Vaibhav Sethia. Not only did Darpan and Kishan win the game, they also managed to win the hearts of the viewers. Over 600 people contributed to raise Rs.3,70,131 (US $4860). All of this money has been donated towards the ChessBase India Foundation and will be used for the betterment of young blind chess players. 

Remembering Maxim Sorokin

16/06/2020 -

Endgame is one of the most important stages of the game. Theoretical knowledge is needed to play any kind of endgame accurate and precisely. While Rook and Pawn endings are the highly occuring endgames in practical endgames, one cannot overlook the fact that Opposite Colored Bishop endgames also occur in a practical game. Most of us just simply think Opposite Colored Bishop endgame means it will mostly end up in a draw. While it's partially true but you have to know a lot of theory and nuances to make sure a draw game is drawn. Kidambi discusses his minute learning from the Late Russian GM Maxim Sorokin and explains them in great detail in his blog. Photo: Pascal Villalba

Nodirbek Abdusattorov triumphs in Letsup presents MCA GP Blitz 2

15/06/2020 -

The newly crowned Asian Junior Online Open champion, Uzbekistan no.2 GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov won Letsup presents MCA GP Blitz 2 on 10th June with an unbeaten score of 9.0/10. The tournament was the second of five events in the Grand Prix. Abdusattorov won ₹6500 cash prize for his efforts. The remaining podium finishers are GM Raunak Sadhwani and GM Vaibhav Suri. They finished at 8.5/10 each and they were placed second and third respectively. Vaibhav currently leads the GP standings with two consecutive podium finishes at 17/20 points, followed by Abdusattorov and GM Arjun Erigaisi at shared second position with 11/20 points each respectively. In case you missed you the first two events, do not worry, you can still play the remaining three. Registration is on for Blitz 3 on 17th June.

Vishy Anand back home...finally!

15/06/2020 -

"This was a reminder to appreciate what we have, when we have it! Vishy Anand has seen many tough situations in his life, but the period between Mid February to first week of June, was perhaps the most testing of them all. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic Vishy was trapped in Germany for three months. Staying at his own place in Bad Soden Anand had to do the grocery shopping, cook food for himself and also find ways to keep himself in shape mentally and physically. He managed to do that and finally on 31st of May 2020 arrived back in India. Like a true champion, Anand took this event in his life as one of learning and shares his experience with us.

Mamedyarov wins World Stars Sharjah Online, Harikrishna finishes second

14/06/2020 -

Former World Rapid champion Shakhriyar Mamedyarov won World Stars Sharjah Online International 2020 with an unbeaten 7.5/10. He finished a full point ahead of the runner-up Pentala Harikrishna who scored 6.5/10. In the final round, UAE no.1 Salem Saleh was the only person who got closest to beating Mamedyarov but unfortunately he missed the opportunity after playing a spectacular and arguably the best game of the tournament. Polish GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek secured the third position with 6.0/10. Mamedyarov won US$ 3000 while Harikrishna and Wojtaszek walked away with US$ 2250 and 1750 respectively. Find out all the games and interesting moments from Day 2 here. Photo: Anastasia Karlovich

New: How to slay the Sicilian Vol. 1-3 + Tactic Toolbox by Pruijssers and Zwirs

13/06/2020 -

Do you struggle against the Sicilian? And would you like to play the Open Sicilian but shy away from it because you fear the many lines you might have to learn? Then this video is a must for you! Dutch Grandmaster Roeland Pruijssers and International Master Nico Zwirs created a complete repertoire against the Sicilian that is based on the Open Sicilian and that is easy to learn. They recommend the Maroczy set-up (e4-c4), the English Attack (Be3, f3 and Qd2) and setups with Be3/Qf3. Fighting the Sicilian with one of these three setups makes the Open Sicilian much more easy to play. Learn more about how to handle Sicilian in this three volume DVDs and a tactics toolbox DVD. Photo: ChessBase

The Mega Mid-Year ChessBase India sale on the 12th and 13th of June 2020

13/06/2020 -

The Mega Mid-Year Sale is here! You can now buy your favourite ChessBase products for a heavy discounted price. The sale begins on 12th of June 2020 at 8 a.m. and lasts for 48 hours. Because of the Covid-19 situation, we have not kept the books and accessories on sale. However, just the software section in our shop contains close to 280 products. What's more, we have introduced a new feature where no matter what you order from the shop, your serial key and setup files will be delivered to you within minutes! Hurry up and grab your favourite ChessBase products. 

Harikrishna makes a strong start at World Stars Sharjah Online International

13/06/2020 -

Harikrishna made a strong start at World Stars Sharjah Online International Championship 2020. He scored 3.0/5 on day 1 and currently he is at shared second position with former World Champion and Caruana's second Rustam Kasimdzhanov. Currently former World Rapid champion Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is leading the tournament with 4.0/5. He remained unbeaten in the tournament so far. Africa and Egypt no.1 Bassem Amin had a tough day as he missed a few wins. The double round robin tournament will continue today with the last five games deciding who will walk away with US$ 3000 out of the total prize fund US$ 10000. Photo: Niklesh Jain

Magnus Carlsen launches the Chessable Masters

12/06/2020 -

Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour continues with the third stage of the event taking place from 20th June to 5th July in Chessable Masters by chess24. The tournament will witness the debut of the no.1 Indian Chessable author Pentala Harikrishna in the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour. The tournament will also witness the winner of Lindores Abbey Rapid Challenge, former World Rapid Champion and one of Carlsen's seconds Daniil Dubov. Vachier-Lagrave, Grischuk, Caruana, Radjabov, Giri, Nakamura, Ding, Nepomniachtchi, Artemiev and of course Carlsen will be seen in action to fight for a total of $150k prize fund and a spot in the tour final. Photo: Press release

A unique online exhibition event successfully conducted by IOC and ChessBase India

12/06/2020 -

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is one company whose support for Indian chess has been unparalleled over the years. From sponsoring top Grandmasters of the country like Surya Shekhar Ganguly and Adhiban Baskaran to hunting down young talents and aiding them, their impact on the sport has been significant. Well, they are also taking excellent initiative during these lockdown times to ensure that public interest in the game doesn't wane. Recently on 24th of May they conducted a unique online exhibition event through ChessBase India featuring two of the most highly regarded figures of Indian chess - GM Abhijit Kunte and IM D V Prasad. We bring you the details in this brief report.