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IMC India donates Rs. 5,00,000 to support Aarit Kapil's journey to the IM title

31/07/2026 -

In recent times, there has been a surge in corporate interest in promoting chess. Many companies now align with our mission to support talented players who are facing financial hurdles on their path to the top. Continuing this welcome trend, IMC India has once again stepped forward, this time donating Rs. 5,00,000 to the HelpChess Foundation. This scholarship amount will be given to 10-year-old Aarit Kapil from New Delhi to support his pursuit of the IM title.

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Aswin P.G. Dominates at 40th RCC Below 1800 Rapid Rating 2026

31/07/2026 -

Aswin P.G. scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win the 40th RCC Rapid Chess Tournament for Below 1800. Aswin scored 8 consecutive victories and drew his final round to win the tournament. Prakyath G and Rithesh K scored 8/9 to secure 2nd and 3rd places according to tiebreak scores. Rao's Chess Corner organised this tournament at Achuthpal Hall in Mangalore from 25th to 26th July 2026. The total prize fund was ₹50,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹17,000, ₹10,000, and ₹5,000 along with trophies. Photos: Rao's Chess Corner

Kevilekho Zumvu Becomes 22nd Nagaland Classical State Champion 2026

30/07/2026 -

Kevilekho Zumvu scored an unbeaten 7/8 points to win the 22nd Nagaland State FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2026. Salhuto Nyekha, Khrielie Sano, and Melesai scored 6.5/8 to finish in 2nd to 4th places according to tiebreak scores. The top 4 players will represent Nagaland in the upcoming National Championship. The tournament was organised from 16th to 18th July 2026 in Kohima, Nagaland. Photos: Mr.Mengise Haikam

Bodhana Sivanandan breaks the record!

29/07/2026 -

An eleven-year-old British chess player has become the youngest girl to defeat a grandmaster rated above 2600, breaking a 38-year-old record previously held by Hungarian all-time great Judit Polgar. Bodhana Sivanandan defeated a French grandmaster rated 2628, and the international news media went wild over this extraordinary feat. Bodhana is a special member of the ChessBase family and will most likely play in the Hamburg Bundesliga team.

Nihal Shetty Wins RCC Khannur Below 1800 Classical Rating 2026

29/07/2026 -

Nihal N Shetty scored an unbeaten 8/9 points to win the RCC Khannur Below 1800 Classical Rating Chess Tournament 2026. Nihal Shetty and Supriyo Das both scored 8/9 points, but a better tiebreak score helped Nihal clinch the title, and Supriyo finished in 2nd place. Rao's Chess Corner organised this tournament at Achuthpal Hall, Mangalore, from 24th to 26th July 2026. The total prize fund was ₹5,00,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹60,000, ₹40,000, and ₹30,000 along with trophies. Photos: Rao's Chess Corner

Team USA Defeats Team Uzbekistan 14-10 to Claim WR Chess Miami Title

29/07/2026 -

The WR Chess Masters in Miami, Florida, concluded with an exciting battle between two major forces in world chess: Team USA and Team Uzbekistan. Organized by WR Chess, the event featured five top Grandmasters from the United States competing against five leading players from Uzbekistan across Rapid and Blitz formats. Playing in a 4-board Scheveningen format across two days (4 rounds of Rapid and 8 rounds of Blitz), every round victory was worth 2 match points, a tie worth 1 point, and a loss 0 points. Photos: Abhyudaya Ram

Maurice Ashley Chess Fellowship Empowers Rising Talent

29/07/2026 -

The Maurice Ashley Chess Fellowship, established by history-making Grandmaster Maurice Ashley in partnership with the U.S. Chess Trust, continues its mission to support young, talented chess players from underrepresented backgrounds and help them pursue professional careers in chess. Seven promising young players will receive a combined $31,000 to support tournament participation, coaching, supplies, and other essential expenses as they continue their development and pursue their goals at the highest levels of competitive chess.

Geneva to Host FIDE World Championship Match 2026: D Gukesh vs. Javokhir Sindarov

28/07/2026 -

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially announced that Geneva, Switzerland, will host the FIDE World Championship Match 2026, scheduled from November 25 to December 15, 2026. World Champion D Gukesh of India will go against Challenger Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan for the biggest title in the game. With both grandmasters turning 20 years old by the start of the event, this match will mark the youngest World Championship contest in chess history. Graphic: FIDE

The rise of Kerala's young chess prodigy Aadik Theophane Lenin

28/07/2026 -

At just 14, Aadik Theophane Lenin is one of India's fastest-rising chess talents. After earning his first International Master norm and gaining an incredible 264 Elo points in just two tournaments, he stands on the threshold of an extraordinary career. But behind every achievement lies years of sacrifice, unwavering family support, and a new challenge: the financial burden of pursuing the Grandmaster dream. This is the inspiring story of a gifted young player, the community rallying behind him, and why timely support could help shape India's next Grandmaster.

Behind the Lens: The Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz

28/07/2026 -

The inaugural Naroditsky Memorial Rapid & Blitz in Charlotte was more than a chess tournament; it was a celebration of GM Daniel Naroditsky's legacy! Through the lens of Charlotte Chess Center photographer Kelly Centrelli, the event comes alive in a collection of memorable images and the stories behind them. Read on to see the tournament through the eyes of the person who captured it all. Photos: Kelly Centrelli.

Apoorv Kamble Dominates at 2nd ChessFusion Rapid Rating 2026

27/07/2026 -

IM Apoorv Kamble scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win All India Fide Rated Rapid 2026 powered by Chessfusion. In the final round, Apoorv defeated the tournament leader, Anuj Shrivatri, to clinch the title. 10 players scored 8/9 points to secure 2nd to 11th positions, respectively, on tiebreak scores; Bhuvan Krishna Prasanth and Anuj Shrivatri secured podium finishes. The tournament was held at Smriti Academy, Bangalore, on 11th July 2026. Photos: Lavanya K/Chessfusion

When Chess Met Robotics: Inside IIT Delhi's RoboGambit

27/07/2026 -

We’re used to seeing AI crush grandmasters in a blink. But what happens when you take that brilliant silicon brain and force it to grapple with the physical world? At IIT Delhi’s RoboGambit, we didn't just see perfect chess engines; we watched them sweat. Or rather, we watched their robotic arms fumble, stutter, and run out of time while trying to move a simple plastic piece. It’s a humble, slightly chaotic reminder that while thinking about chess is easy, actually playing it with grace, speed, and under pressure is a whole different beast.

Government of India & AICF Launch ‘CHESS+’ to Bring Structured Chess Education into Schools

27/07/2026 -

In a major step toward developing a grass-roots chess culture in India, Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary has officially launched CHESS+. The nationwide initiative is designed to introduce a structured chess curriculum into school education, bringing expert coaching, competition, and mentorship directly to classrooms. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the All India Chess Federation and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.

Vignesh N R, A Qil A Lauddin, and Thejkumar Triumph at the 2nd DAV–Go Checkmate International Chess Prix 2026

27/07/2026 -

The 2nd DAV–Go Checkmate International Chess Prix 2026 concluded after six action-packed days of elite competition. Organized by Go Checkmate Pte Ltd from June 22 to 27, 2026, the festival gathered 352 players across various categories, including Grandmasters, International Masters, and ambitious juniors from over 11 countries. Vignesh NR won the Gm/IM Round Robin with 6/9 points. Photos: Vidhyavarshni/ Go Checkmate Pte Ltd

2nd Siliguri FIDE Rated Classical Tournament 2026 to Take Place from 11th to 16th August

27/07/2026 -

The Siliguri Chess Guardian’s Club (SCGC) is set to host the 2nd Siliguri International FIDE Rated Classical Chess Tournament 2026 from 11th August to 16th August 2026 at the air-conditioned Shilpanchal Bhawan, Burdwan Road, Siliguri, West Bengal. Building on the success of its inaugural 2025 edition, SCGC is organizing this year's event on an even grander scale, inviting several Grandmasters and International Masters to compete. Register Fast!!

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News Bites

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For India's 98th GM Aswath, there is no rest!

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India is 1.6 Elo points away from its 99th grandmaster

Daksh Jagesia Scores Maiden IM Norm at Barbera del Valles 2026 Group "A"

Oleg Skvortsov, the man behind Zurich Chess, passes away at 57

Rayaan Mikael Rozario and Pritika Nandi are the 39th U-9 National Champions

12-year-old Charvi scores her maiden WGM norm

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