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57th Biel MTO R5: Leon Luke Mendonca gains sole lead

20/07/2024 -

GM Leon Luke Mendonca defeated GM Ori Kobo (ISR) to emerge sole leader at 57th Biel Chess Festival MTO 2024. He is at 4.5/5. Eight players are trailing him by a half point. GM Aryan Chopra, GM Krishnan Sasikiran and GM Koustav Chatterjee drew their respective games against GM Rinat Jumabayev (KAZ), IM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) and GM Alexander Moiseenko (UKR). GM Harsha Bharathakoti defeated IM Timothe Razafindratsima (FRA) to join the three Indians at 4/5 each. GM R Vaishali drew with GM Marc` Andria Maurizzi (FRA) in GMT Challengers. She is now World no.9 among Women in the live ratings. GMT Round 5 and MTO Round 6 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

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A chess prodigy to watch out for - David Lacan-Rus from France

20/07/2024 -

In the realm of chess, talent often reveals itself early, and for David Lacan-Rus, it was ignited at the tender age of seven. Introduced to the game by his father, Marius Voinéa, David quickly immersed himself in the strategic complexities and competitive allure of chess. With numerous awards already under his belt, including victories against seasoned Grandmasters and prestigious titles like the U-10 World Championship, David's story is one of exceptional promise and relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of chess. Born in 2012, he is just 12 years old and already has an Elo of 2232, FM title and an IM norm! 

What does chess mean to you?

20/07/2024 -

20th of July is celebrated across the world as the international chess day. And this is the 100th chess day and the 100th anniversary of the International Chess Federation - FIDE. On this wonderful day, Sagar Shah shares with us as to what chess means to him. He tells us about how in the journey of 24 years of chess being part of his life, it has meant different things at different junctures. At the end of the article is a google form, where you can submit your story of what chess means to you. The best ones will be published on ChessBase India.

A revolutionary Chess Academy - The Hatsun Chess Academy

19/07/2024 -

70 kilometres away from the Madurai airport is a place named Thiruthangal. It is home to the Hatsun Chess Academy - a one-of-its-kind residential chess academy. Supported by the CSR activities of the Hatsun Agro Products Pvt. Ltd, one of India's biggest dairy related companies, and powered by the vision of GM Vishnu Prasanna and his team, this is sure to create new champions in the country. IM Sagar Shah visited the Hatsun Chess Academy for 2 days and share his insights in this article. 

G Nigash and Keerti Shree Reddy become Tamil Nadu State Junior Open and Girls 2024 Champions

19/07/2024 -

G Nigash scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 52nd Tamil Nadu State Junior Under-19 Open Rating Championship 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. V Tarun and S Rohith scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. WFM Keerti Shree Reddy and Sindhusree K scored 7.5/9 each in 37th Tamil Nadu State Junior Under-19 Girls. Keerti won due to better tie-breaks, Sindhusree secured second place. V C Nivedita finished third scoring 7/9. The total cash prize fund of the tournament was ₹60000. The top three prizes were ₹7000 + trophy, ₹5000 and ₹4000 each. The five-day rating tournament was organized by Krishnagiri District Chess Association at Mathakondapalli Model School in Hosur, Tamil Nadu from 26th to 30th June 2024. This is Nigash and Keerti's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: IA R Anantharam

57th Biel GMT R3: Vaishali scores a hat-trick to emerge sole leader

19/07/2024 -

R Vaishali scored a hat-trick of wins to emerge sole leader at 57th Biel Chess Festival GMT Challengers 2024. Her third round win was a bit bumpy one. Before gaining a decisive advantage, her opponent, Ihor Samunenkov (UKR) had an opportunity to gain winning chances himself. The teenager missed his opportunity and Vaishali soon seized hers. Vaishali is now the sole leader having 17/26. She is now 2.5 points ahead of Salem Saleh (UAE) 15.5/26. R Praggnanandhaa drew with the Armania no.1 - Haik Martirosyan. GM Krishnan Sasikiran and GM Koustav Chatterjee drew their respective games. They are joined by GM Aryan Chopra and GM Leon Luke Mendonca in a nine-way lead 3.5/4 in the MTO. GMT Round 4 and MTO Round 5 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Vaibhav Suri victorious at 2nd RCMIC Rotachess Rapid Rating Open 2024

18/07/2024 -

Four players - GM Vaibhav Suri, GM Pranesh M, IM Ilamparthi A R and FM Ram Aravind L N scored 8/9 each at 2nd RCMIC Rotachess Rapid Rating Open 2024. Vaibhav became champion due to better tie-break score. The remaining three were placed second to fourth according to tie-breaks. Top three remained undefeated. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹600000. The top three prizes were ₹80000, ₹50000 and ₹40000 along with a trophy each. The tournament was organized by YMCA Madras Physical Activities Committee, Rotary Club of Madras Industrial City and T Nagar Chess Academy at YMCA Royapettah in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on 23rd June 2024. Check out a huge report of the tournament with lots of photos, games, videos and few interviews. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Akshay Anand wins Sushma and Dormak Rating Open 2024

18/07/2024 -

Akshay Anand and Dinesh Kumar Jaganathan scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at Sushma and Dormak Rating Open 2024. Akshay won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Dinesh was placed. Five players - Prithvi Sharma, Vedant Garg, Harish Sharma, Uddipan Roy and Pradeep Tiwari scored 7.5/9 each. They secured third to seventh respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹500000. The top three prizes were ₹70000, ₹50000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The tournament was organized by Chandigarh Chess Academy at Dev Samaj College of Education in Chandigarh from 28th June to 2nd July 2024. This was Akshay's first tournament triumph of the year. Photo: SNA Naveen Bansal

57th Biel GMT R2: Vaishali decimates Donchenko

18/07/2024 -

R Vaishali scored a sensational victory over Alexander Donchenko in Round 2 of 57th Biel Chess Festival GMT Challengers 2024. She made a beautiful rook sacrifice on her opponent's kingside. It was quite difficult for the Germany no.5 to find a correct defense. He could not manage to find one and lost the game. Vaishali is at second place 13/22, one point behind the sole leader Salem Saleh (UAE). R Praggnanandhaa drew with two-time Biel GMT winner - Liem Le Quang (VIE). GM Koustav Chatterjee and GM Krishnan Sasikiran won their respective games to maintain their perfect score 3/3 in the MTO. GMT Round 3 and MTO Round 4 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

1st ChessBase India Chess Festival in Hyderabad on International Chess Day - 20th July

17/07/2024 -

This International Chess Day, ChessBase India is organizing a special chess event in Hyderabad! We are organizing a Blitz tournament and a problem solving contest on the day in which FIDE, the apex organization of Chess worldwide, turns 100 years old. With a minimal entry fee of Rs. 300 and Rs. 30,000 worth of prizes, this event is a must-play for all those who are interested in chess and live in Hyderabad or nearby! There's something for everyone - for the people accompanying the players, there is a special tricky trivia contest! Read all about the event in this article. Photo: Tournament regulations

57th Biel GMT R1: Vaishali outplays Jonas

17/07/2024 -

R Vaishali made an impressive start at 57th Biel Chess Festival GMT 2024. She outplayed Jonas Buhl Bjerre (DEN) in the Challengers section. Her well-placed knights caused knightmare for his opponent. An incorrect attack on the knight only helped them improve their position and later win the game. R Praggnanandhaa could not follow through after a thematic knight sacrifice for two pawns on the kingside against Abhimanyu Mishra (USA). Four Indians - GM Koustav Chatterjee, GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, GM Krishnan Sasikiran and GM Harsha Bharathakoti have made a perfect start 2/2 in the MTO. GMT Round 2 and MTO Round 3 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

New: Master Class Vol.17: Boris Spassky

16/07/2024 -

Boris Spassky is considered by many to be the most talented of all world champions. The great chess talent of the nine-year-old Spassky was discovered at the local Pioneer Palace (St. Petersburg) and encouraged by coaches such as Vladimir Zak. In 1953, the World Chess Federation named the 16-year-old an International Master, and in 1955 a Grand Master, after Spassky had achieved 2nd to 6th place in the USSR Championship and won the World Youth Championship U20. The new ChessBase Master Class takes a close look at his legacy. experts including Dorian Rogozenco, Mihail Marin, Karsten Müller and Oliver Reeh, examine the games of Boris Spassky. Let them show you which openings Spassky chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were, or how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame. Finally, you’ll get a glimpse of his tactical abilities in the Tactics section. Photo: ChessBase

Sharan Rao dominates 22nd Sri Narayana Guru Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2024

16/07/2024 -

IM Sharan Rao scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 22nd Sri Narayana Guru Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field. CM Aakash G, Lakshith B Salian and Sa Kannan scored 8/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place according to tie-breaks. Aakash won 23rd SNG Trophy Blitz Open scoring 8.5/9. Nithin Babu scored 8/9 to secure second place. Sharan finished third on tie-breaks scoring 7.5/9. The total prize fund of the Rapid Rating tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. For Blitz the prize fund was ₹40000. The top three prizes were ₹5000, ₹4000 and ₹3000. This was Sharan's fourth tournament triumph of the month and sixth of the year. The tournaments were organized by Sri Narayana Guru School of Chess Udupi and Kapu at Sri Hale Mariyamma Sabha Bhavana Kapu in Udupi, Karnataka on 29th and 30th June 2024.

Ten West Bengal players receive the Surya Ganguly Dabaru Scholarship

16/07/2024 -

Ten players of West Bengal have received the Surya Ganguly Dabaru scholarship. The total scholarship amount was ₹500000 which means each player received ₹50000. Dabaru movie is inspired by the life of GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly. The Grandmaster was hands-on with this project. He meticulously selected the scholarship recipients. The players have secured a podium finish either in district, state or national tournaments. One of the ten recipients, is an 11-year-old hearing impaired (deaf) chess player. The idea behind instituting this scholarship is to make a difference in the life of the chess player from the state which GM Surya belongs - West Bengal. Check out the article to know about the players and what they felt after winning the scholarship. Photo: Various sources

Tong Xiao wins Biel Festival Fischer Random Swiss Rapid 2024, Sasikiran third

15/07/2024 -

Tong Xiao (CHN) scored an unbeaten 6.5/7 to win Biel Chess Festival Swiss Rapid Fischer Random Championship 2024. GM Rinat Jumabayev (KAZ) scored sole 6/7 to finish second. His only loss was against the eventual champion, Tong in the fifth round. Three players - GM Krishnan Sasikiran, IM Gabriel Gaehwiler (SUI) and FM Ritvik Krishnan scored 5.5/7 each. They were placed third to fifth according to tie-breaks. Total prize fund was CHF 500. The top three prizes were CHF 250, 150 and 100 along with a medal each. Gabriel became the Swiss Chess960 Rapid champion. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

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