chessbase india logo

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

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

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.

Sharan Rao clinches Panevezys Blitz Rating Open 2025

17/09/2025 -

IM Sharan Rao scored 8/9 to win Panevezys Blitz Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. IM Vladyslav Larkin (UKR) scored 7.5/9 to secure second place. Reinis Paikens (LAT) and GM Daniel Fridman (GER) scored 7/9 each. They were placed third and fourth respectively. WIM Isha Sharma scored 6.5/9 to finish fifth. The total prize fund was €500 each in both Rapid and Blitz events. The top three prizes were €150 + trophy, €120 and €80 each. Sharan secured second place in the Rapid Rating Open scoring 7/8. Zanas Nainys (LTU) won that event 7.5/8. IM Gediminas Sarakauskas (LTU) was third 6/8. Sharan's better half, WIM Isha Sharma finished fourth in Rapid 6/8 and fifth in Blitz 6.5/9. This is Sharan's third tournament triumph of the year. With this victory, Sharan has won a rating tournament each in all three formats of the sport. Photo: Arvydas Baltrunas

Enju Sakai wins Naniwa Open 2025

17/09/2025 -

Mayur Gondhalekar and his good friend, Sheldon Donaldson regularly keeps us updated about the Japan chess scene. Sheldon writes a blog about his experience of playing at Naniwa Open 2025. The Canadian origin, currently residing in Japan, Sheldon's article is full of high quality photos and some interesting moments from his games. He loves playing, having fun, analyzing and making us enjoy various moments from his games. Check out his account of the tournament, which took place in Osaka, Japan. Enju Sakai won the overall tournament. Sheldon finished second in the B-Class category. Photos: Sheldon Donaldson

Anish Giri and R Vaishali are FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 Open and Women Champions

16/09/2025 -

GM Anish Giri (NED) defeated GM Hans Niemann (USA) to become a clear champion of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 Open. Giri scored an unbeaten 8/11, performed at 2838 and finished a half point ahead of the rest. This triumph earned himself a coveted spot in the FIDE Candidates 2026. GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER) drew against GM Alireza Firouzja (FRA) to secure second place. He also qualified to the next Candidates. Firouzja finished third and missed out his place in the Candidates. In the Women's event, GM R Vaishali created history by winning it for the second consecutive edition. She drew her final round game against the 16th Women's World Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) to successfully defend her title and win the event again. Thus, she earned herself a spot in the FIDE Women's Candidates 2026. GM Kateryna Lagno drew against IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (AZE) to also qualify to the Candidates. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

All-in-Chess: The Art and Amusement of Shared Control!

16/09/2025 -

What chessplayer hasn’t, when staring down disaster, dreamed of moving not their own pieces but the adversary’s, swapping defeat for a sudden, delicious triumph? Ever generous with impossible wishes, fairy composers have conjured just that: All-in-Chess! Here, either side may move either colour, within a few carefully chosen limits, of course. While it’s possible to play entire games this way, problemists summon AIC to craft zany puzzles that twist expectations and delight the imagination. If you’ve got a taste for the bizarre, the brain-twisting, and the exquisitely tricky, pull up a chair — you’ve arrived at just the right place. We’ve lined up six problems in this article, complete with detailed solutions, to guide you gently into the world of this fairy type. Plus, you get two bonus unsolved exercises to try on your own. Keep reading!

Eastern Railway convincingly clinches 37th All India Railway Team Championship 2025

16/09/2025 -

Eastern Railway scored an unbeaten 10/12 to win 37th All India Inter Railway Team Chess Championship 2025. ER defeated South Eastern Railway convincingly 3.5-0.5 in the final round to become a clear champion. The defending champion scored sole 9/12 to secure second place. They also remained undefeated. Southern Railway, South Central Railway and South Eastern Railway scored 8/12 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place according to tie-breaks. IM Sidhant Mohapatra was the top scorer for his team ER. He scored an unbeaten 4.5/6. The highest rated player of the field - GM Diptayan Ghosh and one of the top rated IMs of the country, Aronyak Ghosh scored 4/6 each. IM Arghyadip Das drew all of his games to contribute a valuable 3/6. This is ER's first triumph of this event in 17 years. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Srijit Paul dominates 5th Tarabai Shinde Rapid Rating Open 2025

16/09/2025 -

IM Srijit Paul scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 5th Tarabai Shinde Rapid Rating Open 2025. Srijit finished a half point ahead of the rest. Six players - CM Arush Chitre, FM Kush Bhagat, FM Kaivalya Sandip Nagare, Paras Dilip Bhoir, Aditya Bartakke and Kandpal Rudra scored 8/9 each. They were placed second to seventh according to tie-breaks The total prize fund was ₹300000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine-round Swiss league Rapid Rating tournament was organized by Nandakumar T Vijayamma at Agri Koli Sanskriti Bhavan in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra on 24th August 2025. This is Srijit's fifth overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Ravindra Potawad

Nubairshah wins Silver Jubilee Queenstar Rating Open 2025, Indrajeet second and P Karthikeyan third

15/09/2025 -

IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh and Indrajeet Mahindrakar scored 9/10 each at Silver Jubilee Queenstar Rating Open 2025. Nubairshah won the tournament on tie-breaks, Indrajeet was placed second. Four players scored 8.5/10 each. Out of them, GM P Karthikeyan was placed third. Nubairshah drew with the eventual second runner-up, Karthikeyan in the penultimate round. Both of them remained undefeated. The five-day ten round Swiss League Rating Open Tournament was organized by Queenstart International Chess Coaching Academy at Wet Water Resort in Gampaha, Sri Lanka from 13th to 17th August 2025. This is Nubairshah's third tournament triumph of the year. Nubairshah finished second in the Blitz Rating Open scoring 8.5/9. FM Pesandu Rashmitha Liyanage (SRI) won that event scoring a perfect 9/9.

Dhanush Ragav N S is the outright winner of 1st Akshaya Institutions Rating Open 2025

15/09/2025 -

Dhanush Ragav N S scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 1st Akshaya Institutions Rating Open 2025. Five players - Sanjay S Pillai, Haridev S, Christy George, Ahaz E U and Jayanth Venkatesh scored 7.5/9. They secured second to sixth place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400001. The top three prizes were ₹50001 + trophy, ₹35000 and ₹25000 each respectively. The five-day nine round Swiss League  Rating Open Tournament was organized by Miracle School of Chess, Coimbatore at Akshaya College of Engineering and Technology in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from 20th to 24th August 2025. This is Dhanush's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA R Anantharam

Grand Swiss 2025: Can Vaishali and Arjun Erigaisi qualify to the Candidates?

15/09/2025 -

GM Hans Niemann (USA) defeated GM R Praggnanandhaa to insert himself in the leaders' group at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. Hans joined the leaders, GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER), GM Alireza Firouzja (FRA), GM Anish Giri (NED) and GM Vincent Keymer (GER). Praggnanandhaa's tough form continues as his second loss of the event, ending his Candidates chances from this event. GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Nihal Sarin drew their respective games against GM Yangyi Yu (CHN) and GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). Arjun has to defeat Keymer in the final round and hope everything else goes his way to finish in top two. GM R Vaishali got the better of 15th Women's World Champion, GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) to get back in the lead for the second time. She will face the 16th Women's World Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) in the final round. It starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Sethuraman S P dominates 1st Diamond City Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025

14/09/2025 -

Top seed GM Sethuraman S P scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 each in to win both 1st Diamond City Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest on both occasion. IM Neelash Saha and IM Aronyak Ghosh scored 8/9 each in both Rapid and Blitz events. Neelash claimed second in Rapid and third in Blitz, while Aronyak secured third in Rapid and second in Blitz. All three of them remained undefeated. The total prize fund was ₹700000, ₹500000 in Rapid and ₹200000 in Blitz. The top three prizes in Rapid were ₹100000, ₹60000 and ₹40000 along with a trophy each. For Blitz they were, ₹50000, ₹30000 and ₹15000 with a trophy each. This is Sethuraman's first and second rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Rushi Shah / Shatranj Sangh, Surat

New: Master the Modern Defence (1...g6) - A Dynamic and Unbalanced Weapon for Black by Daniel Fernandez

14/09/2025 -

The Modern Defence (1…g6) offers Black a dynamic and strategically rich alternative to mainstream openings, avoiding early theory battles while targeting White’s centre with long-term pressure. Grandmaster Daniel Fernandez guides you through its complex ideas and practical applications, ideal for players seeking unbalanced positions and full-point ambitions. Master the subtleties of 1…g6 and energize your repertoire with this bold and flexible weapon. Apart from downloading files and installing on your computer, you can also stream videos and study from ChessBase books on any device - computer, smartphone, tablets etc. Photo: ChessBase

Contact Us