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Vishy Anand returns to action in Kolkata after six years at Tata Steel India Rapid and Blitz 2026

07/01/2026 -

Tata Steel Chess India is the strongest and biggest Rapid and Blitz tournament to take place in India. For the second time, Men's and Women's events will take place simultaneously at the same time. Just like the last three editions, both men and women's events will have equal prize fund of US$ 41500. The five-day Rapid and Blitz tournament will feature 20 of the world's top including Vishy Anand who is returning to Kolkata as a player after over six years. World no.5 Arjun Erigaisi, FIDE World Cup 2025 runner-up Wei Yi (CHN), Wesley So (USA), World no.8 - R Praggnanandhaa, winner of Tata Steel India 2022 Rapid - Nihal Sarin, Hans Niemann (USA), Vidit Gujrathi, Aravindh Chithambaram and former World Rapid champion - Volodar Murzin. Among the Women, the new World Rapid Women 2025 champion - GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 winner - GM Divya Deshmukh, the defending Blitz Women champion - GM Kateryna Lagno, GM Harika Dronavalli, GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), GM R Vaishali, IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), IM Carissa Yip (USA), IM Vantika Agrawal and WGM Rakshitta Ravi will be seen in action. Round 1 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

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Top Seeded Rohith Krishna S is leading at 16th Chennai GM After 7 Rounds

06/01/2026 -

After completion of 7 rounds at The 16th Chennai Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2026, Rohith Krishna S is leading the event with 6.5/7 Points going into the eighth round. In round 7, Rohith won a beautiful game against Belarusian GM Alexei Fedorov with the white pieces, destroying Fedorov's Benko Defence. Rohith is still unbeaten in the event, and he just had one draw against FM Jinam Jomon in round 5. For the second place right now its a 4-way tie between GM Srihari LR, who is unbeaten with 2 draws, GM Aleksandrov Aleksej, who is also unbeaten with 2 draws, IM Mayank Chakraborty, who suffered a loss in round 4, and CM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma, who also played 2 draws and increased his rating by 24 Points. Games of Round 8 will start at 10 am on 7th January. Photo Credit: Sivakasi Chess Club/S. Paul Arokia Raj

Aarush Bhat awesome at 29th RCC Rapid Rating Cup 2025 with a perfect score

06/01/2026 -

13-year-old Aarush Bhat scored a perfect 9/9 to win 29th RCC Rapid Rating Chess Cup Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. Govind Prabhu and Aneesh S C scored 8/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹15000, ₹10000 and ₹7000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Rao's Chess Corner at Canara High School, Urwa in Mangaluru, Karnataka on 14th December 2025. This is Aarush's third overall, second rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Take back and replay the same move!

06/01/2026 -

Did you solve the famous retractor by T.R. Dawson? You had to retract White's last move and then deliver a mate in two. And the solution? Take back the move h2-h4 and then play exactly the same move: 1.h2-h4! g4×h3 e.p. 2.B×g6#. Outrageous! Today we bring you a second instalment of solutions from our Christmas Puzzle Week. With retractors, reflectors, missing pieces and more. Hoping you like such out-of-the-box puzzles. Photo: ChessBase

Kazakhstan Chess Federation announces Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) Project 2026

06/01/2026 -

Kazakhstan Chess Federation is pleased to announce the opening of the application process for participation in the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) Project 2026. Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) is an international chess project of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. It is supported by Freedom Holding Corp. and implemented together with FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation. The Project supports the development of chess in Asia by working with national chess federations, improving chess education, supporting tournaments and encouraging international cooperation. FACI helps selected federations through training camps, educational activities, expert support and joint chess initiatives. Graphic: Kazakhstan Chess Federation

16th Chennai GM Open : Aleksandrov and Fedorov Leading With Full Score After 5 Rounds

05/01/2026 -

The 16th Chennai Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2026, held for the Sakthi Group Dr. N. Mahalingam Trophy, is currently underway in Chennai. As of January 5, 2026, the tournament has completed its first 5 rounds, and the 6th round will be played in the evening of 5th January as it's a double round day. From the 7th round on, 1 game will be played daily. After completion of 5 rounds, Belarusian Grandmasters Aleksandrov Aleksej and Fedorov Alexei are leading the event with a full score of 5/5. A total of 7 players are just a half point behind the leaders with 4.5/5 points. The event is taking place at the Hotel Ramada Egmore from January 2 to January 9, 2026. It features a 10-round Swiss format with a total prize fund of ₹20,00,000. Photo Credit: Sivakasi Chess Club

Shaon Chowdhury triumphs at 2nd AGCA Rating Open 2025

05/01/2026 -

Shaon Chowdhury, Garvit Jain, CM Vinod Kumar Sharma, Harish Sharma and Divit Gangwal scored 7/8 each at 2nd AGCA Rating Open 2025. Shaon won the tournament on tie-breaks. The rest were placed second placed second to fifth according to tie-breaks. Shaon, Garvit, Vinod and Divit remained undefeated. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹164000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each respectively. The four-day eight round Rating Open tournament was organized by All Gwalior Chess Association at Hotel Shubh Mangal Grand in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh from 7th to 10th December 2025. This was Shaon's third rating tournament triumph in 2025.

New: ChessBase Magazine 228

05/01/2026 -

FIDE Grand Swiss 2025: analyses by Giri, Bluebaum, Vaishali, Abdusattorov, Mishra, Vidit and many more – "The double blockade": Mihail Marin highlights scenarios in which it is advantageous to block passed pawns with a knight and bishop – Action in the Nimzo-Indian: Balázs Csonka examines 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.e5!? – "The key defender": In his ‘Practical Tips for Tournament Players’, Jan Markos shows how to identify and eliminate your opponent's most important piece – All in One: Romain Edouard himself was amazed at how well 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 e5!? works, and much more. Photo: ChessBase

Prathamesh Sherla & Shlok Sharnarthi are the winners of 1st Pune Speed Festival Rapid & Blitz Rating Open 2025

05/01/2026 -

CM Prathamesh Sherla, IM Akshay Borganokar, IM Srijit Paul and Manas Gaikwad scored 8/9 each at 1st Pune Speed Chess Festival Rapid Rating Open 2025. Prathamesh won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively. Only Prathamesh and Srijit remained undefeated among them. Shlok Sharnarthi, IM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi and IM Nikhil Dixit scored 9.5/11 each. Shlok became champion on tie-breaks. Aakash and Nikhil secured second and third place respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400000, ₹250000 for Rapid and ₹150000 for Blitz. The top three prizes in Rapid were ₹31000, ₹25000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. For Blitz they were, ₹15000, ₹10000 and ₹8000 with a trophy each. This is Prathamesh's third overall, first rating tournament triumph of 2025. For Shlok, it was his fourth overall, sole rating tournament victory in the same year. Photo: FI Shashikant Maktedar / 8x8 Chess Academy

A recap of Indian chess in 2025

03/01/2026 -

When we look back at Indian chess in 2025, what stands out is how consistent the progress felt. The signs were already there in 2024, but this year, the results kept coming consistently. Indian players made their mark in the world’s biggest tournaments. It was impressive to see great and consistent results month after month. There was always something to talk about! It was a year that felt alive, steady, and exciting for Indian chess. In this article, we revisit some of the most memorable wins and moments that made 2025 such a remarkable year for Indian chess.

Ethan Vaz and Shubhi Gupta are National Junior Open and Girls 2025 Champions

03/01/2026 -

IM Ethan Vaz (Goa) and WFM Shubhi Gupta (UP) are 54th National Junior Open and 41st National Junior Girls 2025 champions. Ethan scored an unbeaten 10.5/11 and finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the competition. IM Mayank Chakraborty (ASM) scored 9/11 to secure second place. IM Vignesh Advaith Vemula (TEL) and IM Akshay Borgaonkar (MAH) scored 8.5/11 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Shubhi scored an unbeaten 9.5/11 and finished ahead of the rest. WFM Nivedita V C (TN) scored sole 9/11 to finish second. WCM Pratitee Bordoloi (KAR) claimed third place scoring 8.5/11. The total prize fund combining Open and Girls section was ₹1000000. The top three prizes in both Open and Girls sections were ₹100000, ₹72000 and ₹60000 along with a trophy each respectively. This was Ethan's first and Shubhi's second National Junior tournament triumph. Photo: IA Jayant Kumar Bhuyan

Vitaliy Bernadskiy dominates 3rd Vega de San Mateo Open 2025, Vignesh N R second

03/01/2026 -

GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy (UKR) scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 3rd Vega de San Mateo Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. GM Vignesh N R scored sole 8/9 to secure second place. He also remained undefeated and finished 1.5 points ahead of the rest. The fifth round battle between Bernadskiy and Vignesh ended in a draw. GM Aleksa Stirkovic (SRB), IM Lennis Martinez Ramirez (CUB) and IM Roberto Carlos Gomes Ledo (CUB) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place respectively. The top three prizes were €2000, €1500 and €1000 along with a trophy each. The seven-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Club de Ajedrez San Mateo at Vega de San Mateo Sociocultural Center in San Mateo, Spain from 6th to 12th  December 2025. Photo: Federación Canaria de Ajedrez

Prraneeth Vuppala convincingly clinches 6th Roma Citta Aperta Master 2025

03/01/2026 -

GM Prraneeth Vuppala scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 6th Roma Citta Aperta Master (1800-2100) 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the rest. IM Ilia Martinovici (MDA) and IM Daniel Kopylov (GER) scored 7/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively. Shourya Bagdia scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win the Open B (1600-1800). He also finished a half point ahead of the competition. Eman P D scored 8/9 to secure second place. The total prize fund of the festival was €16430. The top three prizes in Master were €1200, €900 and €700 each, Open B - €500, €400 and €300. For Rapid and Blitz - €300 each was the first prize. Photos: Official site

FIDE Rating list January 2026: Arjun Erigaisi in World Top 10 in all three formats

02/01/2026 -

Arjun Erigaisi had a fantastic performance at FIDE World Rapid and Blitz 2025. His double Bronze at the most exciting event of the year made him World no.3 in Rapid and World no.7 in Blitz format. Currently, he is the sole Indian to be in World Top 10 in all three formats. R Praggnanandhaa dropped to World no.8 and the World Champion climbed up to World no.9. Nihal Sarin's President Cup triumph in Tashkent, Uzbekistan moved him up to World no.25. There are now six Indians in Top 30. Among the Women, four are still in Top 20. IM Vantika Agrawal and IM Savitha Shri B are the only two women among top ten Indians to have gained Elo rating points. There are still seven Indians among Top 100 Women. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Carlsen bests Abdusattorov in the Finals to clinch World Blitz 2025, Bronze for Arjun Erigaisi

02/01/2026 -

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) 2.5-1.5 in the Finals to retain his World Blitz title. This was his ninth FIDE World Blitz crown, making it his overall 20th World title. Arjun Erigaisi topped Stage 1, also known as Swiss-League stage, scoring 15/19 and finishing a full point ahead of the rest. Arjun lost to Abdusattorov in the Semifinals by 0.5-2.5. Fabiano Caruana (USA) suffered 1-3 loss against the eventual champion, Carlsen. Thus, both Arjun and Caruana won a Bronze each. Arjun became only the second Indian after Vishy Anand to win a medal in both World Rapid and Blitz events of the same year. GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) defeated GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) by 2.5-1.5 to clinch Gold in the Women's. Thus, she became FIDE World Blitz Women's champion for the third time. The reigning World Junior Girls Blitz 2025 champion, IM Eline Roebers (NED) lost to Anna in the Semifinals. Eline and GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) won a Bronze medal each. This marked Eline's impressive debut at the event as she was the only IM to win a medal at this year's World Blitz Rapid and Blitz events combining Open and Women. Photo: IA NI Vivek Sohani

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