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Koneru Humpy wins Pune GP, Divya Deshmukh third

24/04/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy defeated IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) in the final round to win FIDE Pune GP. Her rival, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) also won her game against IM Polina Shuvalova. Both Humpy and Jiner scored 7/9 each, Humpy won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Jiner finished second. IM Divya Deshmukh drew with IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) to finish third 5.5/7. Humpy gained 117.5 points to move up to the second spot with 279.17. Jiner is close behind at 235. Humpy will need to hope that Jiner does not surpass her in GP points at the last GP event of the season next month, so that Humpy can qualify to the next Women's Candidates via GP. The total prize fund was €80000. The top three prizes were €18000, €13000 and €10500 along with a trophy and medal each. The next leg is in Grosslobming, Austria from 5th to 16th May 2025. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

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3rd Maharashtra GM R5: Nitish Belurkar conquers Sandipan Chanda, maintains his sole lead

24/04/2025 -

IM Nitish Belurkar defeated GM Sandipan Chanda to maintain his sole lead at the conclusion of Round 5 at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. Compared to his last two wins, it was a contrasting victory for Nitish. IM Ayush Sharma got the better of GM Venkatesh M R. The teenager spotted a nice sequence of moves, eventually had two queens on the board and gave up one to have a safe win. Nine players are currently at 4/5. Among the Women, WGM Mary Ann Gomes and WIM Sarayu Velpula are at 3.5/5 each. They won against FM Raghav V and IM Sambit Panda respectively. Round 6 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Aswath wins big at Grenke Open 2025 with a 2779 performance

23/04/2025 -

IM Aswath S and GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) scored 8/9 each at Grenke Open A 2025. Aswath won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Brandon secured second place.GM Ivan Saric (CRO) and GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP) shared third place scoring 7.5/9 each. Aswath not only remained undefeated but also became the only IM to make a top ten finish. The first prize was €17500 (≈₹1704272.5 according to google), which means he won 17+ lacs. It is even more than tournaments total prize fund. Aswath performed at 2779 to earn his maiden GM-norm. That's not all, he played on the same stage as Magnus Carlsen (NOR), the winner of Grenke Freestyle Open and also won ahead of so many GMs and strong players. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Humpy or Jiner, Who will win Pune GP?

23/04/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy salvaged a draw from a lost position against IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) in Round 8 of FIDE Pune GP 2025. Meanwhile, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) got the better of IM Divya Deshmukh. It means both Humpy and Jiner are now sharing the lead 6/8. If they both end up having the same score after the final round, Humpy will become the champion as her tie-break score is better. However, if they both lose and Divya defeats Alina in the last round then she might claim a podium finish. GM R Vaishali missed a win after an interesting rook sacrifice against IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL). GM Harika Dronavalli had a 116-move prolonged draw against IM Melia Salome (GEO). Round 9 starts today at 2 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

3rd Maharashtra GM R3-4: Nitish Belurkar emerges sole leader

22/04/2025 -

IM Nitish Belurkar won both of his games to emerge sole leader 4/4 at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. FM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi scored a fantastic win over GM Boris Savchenko to cross 2400 in the live ratings and become the latest International Master of India. Aakash later lost to Nitish in Round 4 in a wild game. Nitish and Aakash's coleader - GM Venkatesh M R drew with GM Manuel Petrosyan (ARM) to move to 3.5/4. Six players are trailing Nitish by a half point. They are - GM Sandipan Chanda, GM Tornike Sanikidze (GEO), IM Ayush Sharma, GM Deepan Chakkravarthy, Venkatesh and IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh. Round 5 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Magnus Carlsen dominates Grenke Freestyle Open with a perfect 9/9 and 3153 performance

22/04/2025 -

There is a reason Magnus Carlsen (NOR) is considered G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time). Very few can argue and even dare to refute it as he has repeatedly proved that he is the best irrespective format or even variant. The World no.1 won Grenke Freestyle Open 2025 with a round to spare when he defeated GM Rauf Mamedov (AZE). In the final round, he won against the Germany no.1, GM Vincent Keymer. Although he didn't need but he still went for it shows that despite becoming a five-time World Champion and winning a World Cup too, he still has unquenchable hunger to shatter records. This was the first time he scored 9/9 in a Classical tournament and won it with a performance of 3153. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

ChessBase India and DD-DBCA Bring the Israel Chess Solving Championship to Kolkata

22/04/2025 -

In a groundbreaking first for the city, ChessBase India, in collaboration with the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy (DD-DBCA), is organising the Israel Chess Solving Championship in Kolkata. Set for May 11, the event will be held simultaneously in multiple cities worldwide, with Ra’anana, Israel, serving as the primary centre. The Kolkata leg of the contest provides local enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to pit their skills against international solvers and earn an official solver’s rating. Furthermore, outstanding local participants will receive gift vouchers as a token of appreciation for their efforts. Details regarding the time, venue, format, and other relevant aspects follow in this article.

Pune GP R7: Humpy beats Jiner, emerges sole leader

22/04/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy defeated GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) to become the new sole leader at FIDE Pune GP 2025. Jiner lost her first Classical game to Humpy after she went on a misadventure with her queen. Humpy has moved up to the top with 5.5/7, staying a half point ahead of the rest. IM Divya Deshmukh decimated IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) with a devastating attack on the kingside. She is now at second place 5/7. GM R Vaishali and GM Harika Dronavalli drew their respective games against IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) and IM Polina Shuvalova respectively. Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

3rd Maharashtra GM R2: Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy outplays Stany

21/04/2025 -

GM Marat Dzhumaev (UZB) defeated GM Karen Grigoryan (ARM) to maintain a perfect score at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. Karen could not get out of the gate against Marat. FM Jai Sankar Subramanian missed a great opportunity to win against GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO). FM Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy scored a huge win over GM Stany G A. Ajay launched relentless attack and his opponent did not have a good response to it. WGM Mary Ann Gomes played a solid draw against GM Tornike Sanikidze (GEO). Currently only 13 players are at a perfect 2/2. Tomorrow is the sole double round day of the tournament. Round 3 starts tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Rethinking Failure: It’s Not as Big as You Think

21/04/2025 -

The two-time reigning National Champion, GM Karthik Venkataramn shares a valuable advice. He talks about failure, slump and hard times a player faces. It is incorrect to compare a player with Magnus Carlsen, D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa. He not only posed questions but also answered on what needed to be done. Karthik reminded everyone that one has done countless comebacks to be where they are today. So, watch this article by Karthik now, get yourself inspired. ChessCult was a youtube channel which was launched by Karthik during pandemic. Now it hass been turned into website. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Pune GP R6: Humpy crushes Batkhuyag, stays in the hunt

21/04/2025 -

GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) defeated GM R Vaishali to maintain her sole lead 5/6 at FIDE Pune GP 2025. Vaishali misplaced her knight in a critical position, initiated an incorrect chain exchange which landed her in a lost endgame. IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) got crushed by GM Koneru Humpy. She moved her score to 4.5/6. IM Divya Deshmukh drew with GM Harika Dronavalli to move to 4/6. Humpy and Jiner will face each other today in a crucial encounter. The result is quite possibly going to have an impact towards the outcome of the tournament. Round 7 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

Grenke Freestyle Open R6-7: Carlsen runs through competition

21/04/2025 -

Time and time again, GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) has showed why he is at a different level. After the seventh round of Grenke Freestyle Open, Carlsen is leading with a perfect score 7/7. He defeated GM Awonder Liang (USA) and GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) to maintain a perfect score. The game against the Iranian was a sharp battle which got resolved in time. In the previous round, GM Leon Luke Mendonca suffered his first loss against him. GM Pranesh M defeated GM Grigoriy Oparin (USA) in Round 6. GM Aryan Chopra drew with GM Vincent Keymer (GER) in Round 6. Leon, Pranesh, Aryan and GM Karthikeyan Murali are at 5/7 each. Round 8 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

3rd Maharashtra GM R1: Priyanshu, Samyak, Aanjaneya, Venkata, Priyanka and Ajay beat IMs

20/04/2025 -

GM Manik Mikulas (SVK) played a solid draw against the top seed, GM Abhijeet Gupta in the first round of 3rd Maharashtra GM (>2200) 2025. Vedant Nagarkatte defeated GM Raset Ziatdinov (USA). FM Priyanshu Patil, Samyak Dharewa, Aanjaneya Phatak, CM Venkata Ruthvik Mummana, WGM Priyanka Nutakki and FM Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy got the better of IM Sammed Shete, IM Viani Antonio Dcunha, IM Semetei Tologon Tegin (KGZ), IM Mohsen Elgabry (EGY) and IM Amrou Sobh (EGY) respectively. The total prize fund in Open A is ₹3000000. The top three prizes are ₹450000, ₹350000 and ₹275000 along with a trophy each. Round 2 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

The ever-present fan, Vijay Rajendran announces the 'Porunai Scholarship' worth Rs. 1,50,000

20/04/2025 -

What's it like to live and breathe chess? Think of it from a fan's perspective. For some, it might be meeting their favorite players, and for some, it might be attending elite tournaments. For Vijay Rajendran, it’s both and actually so much more! He is a die-hard chess fan who was seen at many elite tournaments in the recent times. He has gone beyond just being a fan. He has recently announced his first Scholarship, the “Porunai Scholarship” worth Rs. 1,50,000 to support chess players in their journey. This total amount will be divided among three players. Rs. 1 lakh will be donated to Aniket and Sayali, the ones who we discovered at the Mind Champions Challenge recently and the remaining Rs. 50,000 will be donated to R P Kanishri, one of the strong players from Tamil Nadu. Read on to learn more about Vijay’s incredible journey, his contribution to the chess world and the reason behind supporting these chess players. Photos: Vijay Rajendran

GM Shyaam Nikhil gets into wedlock with R Divya

20/04/2025 -

Last year, India got only one Grandmaster in the form of P Shyaam Nikhil. Since then we are still awaiting the 86th Grandmaster of the country. So what has the 85th Grandmaster been upto lately? Professor and a well decorated IA R Anantharam writes about Shyaam's wedding. He married to R Divya. She is not a chess player but she loves chess much. The wedding ceremony was a gala event where Tamil Nadu's star-studded players, trainers, arbiters and various members of the chess universe attended this event to show their support and blessings to the newly married couple. Photos: IA R Anantharam

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