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How Meghalaya is sowing seeds of a big chess revolution in the state

05/11/2024 -

The Queen's Gambit show on Netflix that came out during the pandemic created quite a huge boom for chess across the world. Something similar is happening in Meghalaya, but not because of a Netflix show, but a chess in schools program which has been named as Queen's Gambit. IM Sagar Shah visited the city of Shillong in Meghalaya and witnessed something quite powerful. In this article he shares his findings, on why Meghalaya will soon witness a massive chess boom.

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

Pravaha Foundation honored the champions of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad

04/11/2024 -

On 29th October 2024, the Pravaha Foundation, in collaboration with Mytrah Energy and MGD1, organized a ceremony to honor the champions of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad including Arjun Erigaisi, Harika Dronavalli, Srinath Narayanan, Pentala Harikrishna, and Vantika Agrawal. The foundation has been supporting chess talents for the past two years with the main focus of supporting women players. Their support includes funding for players' travel and training expenses, ensuring they have access to quality coaching and opportunities to compete effectively. During the ceremony, they also felicitated young chess players Savithi Varshini and Sarayu Velpula to inspire them to continue pursuing their passion for the game. Read the article to see the pictures and know what the players had to say. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

Dreamhack Rapid and Blitz 2024 offers ₹500000 worth of prizes

04/11/2024 -

Dreamhack Rapid and Blitz 2024 will take place from 15th to 17th November in Hyderabad, Telangana. Total ₹500000 prize fund is up for grabs, ₹300000 for Rapid and ₹200000 for Blitz. Entry is FREE for GM, IM, WGM and WIM. For everyone else, entry fee is ₹1299 for both events. This tournament is unlike any other as it takes place inside a gaming convention, which means loud music and noise will be there throughout the day. So if you haven't registered yet, do it right away. Whoever can block out the noise, focus on their game, will win big and become the champion. Photo: Tournament Circular

Shubham Kumar clinches Chess for Everyone Rating Open 2024 in Jharkhand

04/11/2024 -

Shubham Kumar scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win Chess for Everyone Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Adhiraj Mitra and CM Anurag Jaiswal scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. Shubham defeated Adhiraj in Round 6. Anurag also remained undefeated. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹75000 + trophies. The top three prizes were ₹15000 + trophy, ₹10000 and ₹7000 each. The five-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by West Singhbhum District Chess Association at St. Xavier's Welfare Center in Chaibasa, Jharkhand from 16th to 20th October 2024. This is Shubham's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Basant Khandelwal/West Singhbhum District Chess Association

Shymkent GP R5: Divya scores her first win

04/11/2024 -

The fifth round had four decisive games which is the highest so far at FIDE Shymkent GP. GM Aleksandra Goryachkina has emerged sole leade 4/5. She defeated GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) comfortably. IM Divya Deshmukh scored her first win of the event, against IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL). Divya capitalized on her opponent's tactical mistake. GM Koneru Humpy suffered her first loss. She made a positional mistake by breaking the position open at inopportune time against IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ). IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) won the only other game of the round against GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER). Today is the sole rest day of the event. Round 6 starts tomorrow Tuesday 5th November at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Leon wins Polish Ekstraliga 2024 for Gwiazda Bydgoszcz, Harikrishna second for Polonia Wroclaw

03/11/2024 -

GM Leon Luke Mendonca won Polish Team Championships - Ekstraliga 2024 for Gwiazda Bydgoszcz Sports Club. Both Gwiazda Bydgoszcz Sports Club and VOTUM SA Polonia Wrocław scored 14/18 each. The former became the champion as Bydgoszcz won the penultimate round battle 3.5-2.5 against Polonia Wroclaw. IM Oliwia Kiolbasa won the crucial decider against WGM Jolanta Zawadzka in that match. Leon scored 5/9 for his team on the top board. His teammates were GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek, GM Pawel Teclaf, GM Grzegorz Nasuta, GM Valery Kazakouski and Oliwia. Leon was the sole Indian in his team. GM Pentala Harikrishna scored an unbeaten 5/7 for Polonia Wroclaw. Photo: Wojciech Zawadzki

New: Àlvar Alonso Rosell: How to play the Caro-Kann Defence Vol. 1 + 2

03/11/2024 -

Unlock the secrets of one of chess's most resilient openings with GM Àlvar Alonso Rosell's video courses about the Caro-Kann Defence. Explore cutting-edge theory, practical insights, and strategies used by top grandmasters today. Whether you're mastering core principles or discovering new lines, these courses will give you the tools to outsmart your opponents and succeed in high-level play. Now you can read it on ChessBase Books, stream it on any device including desktop, laptop, phone and tablet. So grab this Fritztrainer, enrich your knowledge, strengthen yourself and be aware of the secrets of Caro-Kann Defence. Photo: ChessBase

Shymkent GP R4: Humpy wins two in-a-row, joins the three-way lead

03/11/2024 -

GM Koneru Humpy scored a victory in her second consecutive round at FIDE Shymkent GP. She is now in a three-way lead with GM Aleksandra Goryachkina and GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) 3/4 each. IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) exchanged her rook for Humpy's two minor pieces at the right time. However, she had difficulty stopping the India no.1's connected passed pawns on the queenside with her rook and double bishop against two rooks. IM Divya Deshmukh held the former Women's World Champion, Zhongyi to a solid draw. She is now at 1.5/4. IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) bounced back strong with a win over GM Kateryna Lagno. Divya will face Batkhuyag and Humpy will battle against IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) in Round 5. It starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Chennai Grand Masters Spectator Tickets are live now!

02/11/2024 -

The Chennai Grand Masters will be held from 5th November to 11th November 2024 at Anna Centenary Library, Chennai. This prestigious tournament features two sections—Masters and Challengers and promises intense competition with world-class players. Fans have a chance to witness this exciting event live, with tickets available for purchase on BookMyShow. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the thrill of elite chess and cheer for your favorites in person!  

Sethuraman superb at Weissenhaus Young Masters 2024 with a 2698 performance

02/11/2024 -

GM Sethuraman S P scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Weissenhaus Young Masters 2024. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) scored sole 6/9 to finish second. He made all attempts to win against Sethuraman in the final round. However, a draw was the maximum result he could attain. IM Marius Deuer (GER) and Leonardo Costa (GER) scored 5/9 each. They were placed third and fourth according to tie-breaks. The five-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by Weissenhaus Holding Verwaltungs GmbH at Wangels - Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort in Wangels, Germany from 14th to 18th October 2024. This is Sethuarman's second tournament triumph of the year after winning Gold at Commonwealth in the previous month. Photo: IA Sandra Schmidt

Shreyash Shuvam Patnaik clear first at 18th KT Global School Rating Open 2024

02/11/2024 -

Shreyash Shuvam Patnaik scored 8/9, remained undefeated to win 18th KT Global School Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. Three players - Rabindra Kumar Ojha, Harshit Ranjan Sahu and Tanmay Talin Behera scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed second to fourth respectively according to tie-breaks. Shreyash drew with both podium finishers. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹150000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. The five-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by IIG Sports Academy at KT Global School in Khordha, Odisha from 13th to 17th October 2024. This is the first tournament triumph Shreyash played in 2024 and he won it convincingly. Photo: IIG Sports Academy

Shymkent GP R3: Humpy beats Batkhuyag

02/11/2024 -

GM Koneru Humpy won her first game at FIDE Shymkent GP against IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL). The Mongolia no.1 woman misplaced her queen. Things spiraled out of her control after that. IM Divya Deshmukh did not capture the d5-pawn at the right time, probably fearing 27...Ne4. Instead, she played 27.f3 which just created weakness on the kingside and things spiraled out of control. The current Women's World Championship Challenger, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) defeated GM Kateryna Lagno with a beautiful knight sacrifice, followed by a rook sac to win her second game here and gain sole lead 2.5/3. Humpy will battle against IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) and Divya will face Zhongyi in Round 4. It starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

Anish Sarkar becomes the youngest rated player at the age of 3 years 8 months 19 days

01/11/2024 -

A common question which everyone has in their mind - what is the right age to start chess? Many will say 4 or 4.5 years. What if we tell you that this boy was able to do smothered mate or set up a puzzle on his own from memory and deliver checkmate before he turned 3 years and 4 months? Sounds unbelievable right. Well, thankfully we have proof. He made his tournament debut before he turned 3.5-years-old. Nearly three months later, he played his first rapid rating tournament. He was also fortunate to get an opportunity to play against India no.1 and World no.4 - GM Arjun Erigaisi in a Simul. He defeated two rated players a week later and confirmed his rating in another week. On 1st November 2024, his Elo rating became official and got his name in the record books. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Five Indians in World Top 18

01/11/2024 -

Arjun Erigaisi crossed 2800 in the live ratings at 39th European Chess Club Cup 2024. However, his November FIDE Rating list published rating is 2799. He is now World no.4 as Fabiano Caruana's fantastic performance at US Championship moved him back to World no.2. Vidit Gujrathi's consistent performance at WR Chess Masters Cup and triumph at the European Club Cup for Novy Bor Chess Club, leapfrogged him from World no.22 to 15. Aravindh Chithambaram crossed 2700 once again and he has a career highest rating of 2706, making him World no.29. Currently, there are five Indians in World top 18, six in World top 29. Anish Sarkar became the youngest rated player ever at the age of 3 years 8 months and 19 days. Photo: European Chess Club Cup

Shymkent GP R2: Batkhuyag Munguntuul squashes Elisabeth Paehtz in 17 moves

01/11/2024 -

IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) scored the sole victory in the second round of FIDE Shymkent GP. Her opponent, GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) made a terrible blunder which cost her the game in just 17 moves. This is the Mongolian's third GP event after her previous appearances from 2009-12. IM Divya Deshmukh had another solid draw, this time it was aaginst GM Kateryna Lagno. GM Koneru Humpy had a tiny window of opportunity against GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN). However, she kept things safe and went for a draw. Divya will face Goryachkina and Humpy will play against Munguntuul in Round 3. It starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Konstantin Chalabov

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