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The Mental Game: Why Chess Players Need Sport Psychology

23/09/2025 -

How often do chess players train their minds the way they train openings? Every chess player has faced moments of doubt, nerves, or overthinking that cost them crucial games. This is where psychology enters the picture. In this article, Saloni Sapale, a WIM and sports psychology consultant, shares her journey from being a competitive player to working with athletes on the mental side of performance. If you have ever wondered why your preparation doesn’t always translate into results, or how to play with clarity under pressure, this piece will resonate deeply. Know how training your mind can transform the way you play! Photos: Saloni Sapale

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

62nd National Championship R2: J Ramakrishna stuns Bala Chandra Prasad

23/09/2025 -

The second round of 62nd National Chess Championship 2025 did not have any major upset. The top seeds scored a relatively smooth victory. Only Hrishikesh Kumar Banik (WB) provided a stiff resistance against GM Sasikiran Krishnan (PSPB). He needed to find computer-like precision to save the exchange down endgame. FM J Ramakrishna (TEL) defeated IM Bala Chandra Prasad Dhulipalla (AP) after the latter could not follow through correctly after sacrificing an exchange. Former National Sub-Junior and Junior Girls champion, Mrittika Mallick (WB) defended a difficult knight endgame correctly to draw against IM C R G Krishna (RSPB). Shivamshka G (TEL) won a wild game against IM Utsab Chatterjee (RSPB). Round 3 starts today at 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Sneha Waykar and Teammates face Visa delays just a day before the World Chessboxing Championship

22/09/2025 -

Twelve Indian athletes, including Chessboxing Champion Sneha Waykar, were selected to represent India at the World Chessboxing Championship in Serbia, which starts tomorrow. But they are facing a major hurdle just a day before the tournament. Their visa applications are still “under process.” They have received no response from the authorities. After training for months to compete at such a major event, they are unsure if they will get the chance to represent India. See what the exact issue is. 

Marium Fatima becomes the first Woman FIDE Master of Bihar

22/09/2025 -

Eight Indian chess players took part in strong open tournaments in Spain this June as part of the Catalan Circuit Tour conducted by My Chess Trip. Among them was Marium Fatima, selected through the HelpChess Foundation, who went on to win the Barbera del Valles 2025 Group B tournament. She gained 152 Elo points, reached a rating of 2083, and became the first Woman FIDE Master from Bihar. Apart from that, Kaivalya Nagare earned an IM norm during the tour. All the players returned home with strong performances and valuable rating gains. With this, a new tour has been announced, the Spain-Sweden Chess Tour, starting from 27th November. Check out the article for more details. Photo: Niklesh Jain

Laxman R R and Mitrabha Guha are cochampions at an Exhibition Blitz Knockout Tournament

22/09/2025 -

We have already published both team and individual event reports of 37th All India Railway Championship 2025. But that was not the only secret event you will get to know about. There was an eight player Exhibition Blitz Knockout tournament took place after the conclusion of the individual event. There was no prize, rating or glory. It was solely done as the intention was to increase awareness among the local school children. Who knows, some of them might get inspired and become a champion one day themselves. Check out the report and replay the games yourselves, either in a video form or on our replayer board. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

62nd National Championship R1: Tijil Singh fights valiantly for nearly 5.5 hours against Surya Ganguly

22/09/2025 -

The 62nd National Chess Championship 2025 witnessed a lot of exciting and interesting games in the very first round. There was no major upset. However, Tijil Singh (TEL) had a great opportunity to draw against the six-time consecutive National champion, GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly (TEL). However, he blundered a queen exchange which cost him the game. The Indian legend, GM Sasikiran Krishnan (PSPB) is playing his first National in nearly 12 years. The last one he played was the 51st edition in 2013 which he won. The total prize fund of the tournament is same as last year ₹3000000. The top three prizes also remain unchanged ₹600000, ₹500000 and ₹400000 each. Round 2 starts today at 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Aakash G wins Sivakasi Chess Club Rapid Rating Open 2025

21/09/2025 -

Five players - FM Aakash G, FM Prasannaa S, GM P Shyaam Nikhil, Balkishan A and IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam scored 8/9 each at Sivakasi Chess Club Rapid Rating Open 2025. Aakash won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining four were placed second to fifth according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹26000 + trophy, ₹22000 + trophy and ₹17000 each respectively. The one-day nine round Swiss League Rapid  Rating Open Tournament was organized by Sivakasi Chess Club at Sri Kaliswari College in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu on 31st August 2025. This is Aakash's fifth overall, third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA R Anantharam

Suryansh Verma clinches 4th HP State Senior Rating 2025

21/09/2025 -

Suryansh Verma scored an unbeaten 7.5/8 to win 4th HP State Senior Rating 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Pankaj Verma scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. He also remained undefeated. Dev Krishan, Vipan Kumar and Dushyant Singh scored 6.5/8 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹70000. The top three prizes were ₹7100, ₹6100 and ₹5100 along with a trophy each. The three-day eight round Rating tournament was organized by District Shimla Chess Association at Hotel Shimla Hills International in Theog, Himachal Pradesh from 28th to 30th August 2025. This is Suryansh's first State Senior title of his career. Photo: Rajesh Verma

Ajay Parvathareddy becomes the fifth International Master from Uttar Pradesh

20/09/2025 -

Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy from Uttar Pradesh has completed his final IM norm at the Rudar XXII Round Robin in Serbia. His first IM norm came at the Slovakia Open Piestany 2024, followed by the second at the Trophee Dole Pasino Grand Aix 2025, and now the third. The 15-year-old is now 2482 rated as per the September FIDE Rating list, his career best so far. He is the fifth International Master from Uttar Pradesh after Dinesh Kumar Sharma, Wazir Ahmed Khan, Vantika Agrawal and Adarsh Tripathi. His focus will be on achieving the Grandmaster title now. Check out the article to see how Ajay has climbed the ranks in recent years. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Kaustuv Kundu dominates Shri Dhanpat Rai Sachdeva Memorial Rating Open 2025

19/09/2025 -

IM Kaustuv Kundu scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Shri Dhanpat Rai Sachdeva Memorial Rating Open 2025. Kaustuv finished a half point ahead of the competition. Ashirwad Swain scored sole 8/9 to secure second place. Ramanuj Mishra, CM Vyom Malhotra and Rohith Yadav B R scored 7.5/9. They secured third, fourth and fifth place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹1300000. The top three prizes were ₹100000, ₹70000 and ₹40000 along with a trophy each. The five-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Rai Sahab Council for Sports and Education at Hotel Opulent by Udman in New Delhi from 24th to 31st August 2025. This is Kaustuv's sixth overall rating tournament triumph of the year, third in the month of August. Photos: Rai Sahab Council for Sports and Education

Shaunak Badole and Deekshitha Modipalli are 38th National Under-13 Open and Girls 2025 Champions

19/09/2025 -

Shaunak Badole (MAH) scored an unbeaten 10/11 to win 38th National Under-13 Open Championship 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. Siddhanth Poonja (KAR) scored 9/11 to secure second place. Eight players scored 8.5/11 each. Out of them, CM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma (MP) secured third place according to tie-breaks. WCM Deekshitha Modipalli (TEL) scored 9.5/11 to win the Girls event. Mysha Perwez (MAH) scored sole 9/11 to finish second. Maitreyi Mondal (WB) edged past three more players on tie-breaks to finish third 8.5/11. The total prize fund combining Open and Girls section was ₹800000. The top three prizes in both Open and Girls sections were ₹80000, ₹60000 and ₹48000 along with a trophy each respectively. Photos: Tushar Damor

Himal Gusain prevails at 37th All India Railway Individual Chess Championship 2025

18/09/2025 -

IM Himal Gusain (Western Railway) scored an unbeaten 6/7 to win 37th All India Inter Railway Individual Chess Championship 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. GM P Shyaam Nikhil (Integral Coach Factory), GM Mitrabha Guha (Metro Railway) and IM Aronyak Ghosh (Eastern Railway) scored 5.5/7 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Himal defeated the eventual runner-up Shyaam in the penultimate sixth round and drew against the second runner-up, Mitrabha in the final round to become a clear champion. This is Himal's sixth tournament triumph of the year and the only non-rated victory among them. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Bhakti Kulkarni clear first at Olomouc Summer Rating Open 2025

18/09/2025 -

IM Bhakti Kulkarni scored 7/9 to win Olomouc Summer Rating C Open 2025 part of 26th International Chess Festival in memory of Jaroslav Fuksik. The Arjuna Awardee finished a half point ahead of the rest. Seven players scored 6.5/9 each. Out of them, CM Daniel Ser (LTU) and Erwan Lever (FRA) were placed second and third respectively. The top three prizes were CZK 7000 + trophy, 5000 and 3000. Bhakti has won quite a few open tournaments before. They are - Brno Open IM Round Robin 2024, Pilsen Open B 2023 and now this. All three of her open tournaments triumphs occurred in different parts of the Czech Republic. Photo: Official site

Hatsun Chess Academy is looking for a Full-time International Master Coach

17/09/2025 -

Hatsun Chess Academy is one of the fastest-growing chess academies in India. It's supported by Hatsun Agro Products Ltd. and envisioned by GM Vishnu Prasanna, the former coach of World Champion D Gukesh. It's known for its holistic approach that combines chess, fitness, and mental conditioning. The academy has already become home to many rising talents. With its rapid growth, Hatsun Chess Academy is now looking to expand its coaching team. If you are an International Master with a passion for coaching, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Read on to know how to apply.

Aadik Theophane Lenin wins a double at SRR Classical and Blitz Rating Open 2025

17/09/2025 -

Aadik Theophane Lenin scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win SRR Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Five players - Hari Ganesh T, Ajjesh J R, Nigash G, Sivan S Roshan and IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed second to sixth according to tie-breaks The total prize fund in the Classical event was ₹800000. The top three prizes were ₹80000, ₹60000 and ₹40000 along with a trophy each. In Blitz, Aadik, Balkishan A, Gyana Sai Santhosh M and Vignesh B scored 8/9 each. Aadik became champion. The remaining three were adjudged second to fourth respectively. The total prize fund in Blitz was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 with a trophy each. This is Aadik's ninth and tenth overall tournament triumph of the year. It is also his first and second individual rating tournament victory of his career.

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