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Vaibhav Gautam wins Silver medal in Men's Wheelchair Category at the 24th World IPCA Chess Championship

12/09/2025 -

Vaibhav Gautam is one of the rising chess players in India. He has lived with cerebral palsy since childhood. He cannot walk, he cannot speak, and he has limited control over his body movements. But none of that matters on the chessboard. He is a fearless fighter, which has translated into numerous victories in chess tournaments. In July, he won a silver medal in the Men's Wheelchair Category at the 24th World IPCA Individual Chess Championship 2025. It’s his dedication and fearless spirit that set him apart, as mentioned by his coaches, GM Ankit Rajpara and IM Aradhya Garg. Read the article to know his story, and you will realise, “When the desire is stronger than the obstacle, anything is possible!” Photo: Manoj Gautam

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

Ayush Sharma wins a double at 2nd Maharathi Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025

12/09/2025 -

IM Ayush Sharma, Harish Sharma, CM Aarit Kapil and Arnav Agrawal scored 8/9 each at 2nd Maharathi Rapid Rating Open 2025. Ayush won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively. The total prize fund was ₹800000, ₹600000 in Rapid and ₹200000 in Blitz. The top three prizes were ₹41000, ₹31000 and ₹21000 along with a trophy each. Ayush also won the Blitz Rating Open. He scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 and finished a half point ahead of the rest. Gopal Krishna Maheshwari, Aarit and Arnav scored 8/9 each. They secured second to fourth place according to tie-breaks. This is Ayush's second and third rating tournament triumph of the year. With these victories, Ayush has won a rating tournament each in all three formats in 2025. Photo: Maharathi Chess Academy

Grand Swiss 2025 R7: Nihal Sarin topples Parham Maghsoodloo, emerges coleader with Matthias Bluebaum

12/09/2025 -

GM Nihal Sarin managed to do what others could not so far at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. He defeated the sole leader, GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI). Nihal played beautiful chess to put pressure on the Iran no.1 and calculated some amazing lines to win the game. World no.5, GM Arjun Erigaisi suffered his first loss of the event against GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER). Arjun's tactical error cost him dearly. Both Nihal and Bluebaum have emerged coleaders 5.5/7. They will inevitably clash in the eighth round. The defending champion, GM Vidit Gujrathi outplayed the newly crowned France champion, GM Marc` Andria Maurizzi. The World Champion, GM D Gukesh suffered his third loss in-a-row, this time against GM Ediz Gurel (TUR). World no.4, GM R Praggnanandhaa scored a welcome victory after third round against, GM Maxim Rodshtein (ISR). In the Women's event, GM R Vaishali regained her sole lead by obliterating IM Guo Qi (CHN). Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

S Rohith Krishna becomes the 89th Grandmaster of India

11/09/2025 -

IM S Rohith Krishna became the 89th Indian to achieve the Grandmaster title on Tuesday 12th August 2025 at Almaty Region Open Qonaev Cup Masters. A win against IM Artur Davtyan (ARM) in the final round secured his final GM-norm. Rohith earned his first GM-norm in February this year at Hotel Stockholm North by First hotels GM Round-Robin in Stockholm, Sweden. Nearly four and a half months later, he scored his second GM-norm at 25th Dubai Open in Dubai, UAE. In August 2025, he got a published rating of exact 2500. Rohith earned all three GM-norms within a span of six months and completed the rating requirements too. Check out the journey of the talented 19-year-old from Chennai. Photo: IM Vivek Sohani

Kaustuv Kundu conquers 1st Siliguri SCGC Rating Open 2025

11/09/2025 -

IM Kaustuv Kundu scored an unbeaten 9/10 to win 1st Siliguri SCGC Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Soumick Bandopadhyay scored sole 8.5/10 to secure second place. Four players - Rahul Gurung, Sudhanshu Ranjan, Arpan Das and FM Kumar Gaurav scored 8/10 each. They were placed third to sixth according to tie-breaks. Kaustuv defeated both runners-up, Soumick and Rahul in Round 4 and 5 respectively. The total prize fund was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹70000, ₹50000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The six-day ten round Rating Open tournament was organized by Siliguri Chess Guardian's Club at Silpanchal Bhawan in Siliguri, West Bengal from 12th to 17th August 2025. This is Kaustuv's fifth rating tournament triumph of the year, second in the month of August in a fortnight. Photo: Abhijit Biswas

62nd National Championship 2025 starts in ten days

11/09/2025 -

The six-time consecutive National Senior champion, GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly is the top seed of 62nd National Chess Championship 2025. The former Asian and two-time National Senior champion, GM Sethuraman S P is the second seed. The legend, GM Sasikiran Krishnan is the third seed. The reigning National champion, GM Karthik Venkataraman has decided to skip this event as of now. The total prize fund is ₹3000000. The top three prizes are ₹600000, ₹500000 and ₹400000. Last date to receive entry is 14th September with a late fee ₹250 will be levied. Get an opportunity to play against India's top players in the strongest National Championship of the year. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Mohamed Anees M clear first at 7th SKG International Open 2025

10/09/2025 -

IM Mohamed Anees M scored 7.5/9 to win 7th SKG International Rating Open Group A (≥2000) 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Three players - FM Akaki Qalichava (GEO), GM Yunguo Wan (CHN) and GM Chongsheng Zeng (CHN) scored 7/9 each. They shared second, place respectively. Anees suffered his sole loss against the eventual runner-up, Akaki in the third round and drew against the second runner-up, Yunguo in the seventh round. The total prize fund was €3900, €3000 in Group A. The top three prizes were €1200, €600 and €400 along with a cup each. This is Anees' second rating tournament triumph of the year. Apart from Anees, IM Senthil Maran K is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6/9 to be placed tenth. Photo: Zetta Grapsa

Gone Too Soon: Exploring the Unfinished Chess Legacy of Dr S. Manikumar

10/09/2025 -

In India’s flourishing chess landscape, problemists — those visionary architects and meticulous decoders of artistic chessboard enigmas — remain a rarefied, quietly luminous enclave of creativity. Yet fate, in its merciless arbitrariness, has dealt this already dwindling cohort a blow from which it may never fully recover. Dr Solaiappan Manikumar bridged two worlds that rarely meet: the fragile realm of life he safeguarded as a physician, and the intricate, quixotic universe of chess problems he illuminated as a composer and solver. His untimely passing has left both spheres irrevocably diminished. This article is a humble tribute to Dr Manikumar’s brilliance and an effort to preserve his memory through the creations he left behind. Taken from us at just 45, far too soon, it forms the opening chapter of a legacy left unfinished.

Johnson Zoremthara Chhangte convincingly clinches 45th Robula Chess Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2025

10/09/2025 -

14-year-old Johnson Zoremthara Chhangte scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 45th Robula Chess Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. The top seed of the tournament, Soram Rahul Singh scored 7.5/9 to secure second place. Three players - Benjamin Lalhmingliana, Iftikar Alom Mazumder and Saingura Sailo scored 7/9 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Johnson drew against the eventual runner-up, Soram in the penultimate round and defeated the second runner-up, Benjamin in the fifth round. The total prize fund was ₹106000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. The three-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Mizoram Chess Association from 14th to 16th August 2025 at Ramhlun Indoor Stadium in Aizawl, Mizoram. This is Johnson's first tournament triumph of his nascent career in his seventh tournament overall. Photo: Lalzarzova Khiangte

Grand Swiss 2025 R6: Nihal Sarin squashes Szymon Gumularz in 22 moves

10/09/2025 -

GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) drew against GM Arjun Erigaisi to maintain his sole lead 5/6 at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. GM Nihal Sarin made a short work of GM Szymon Gumularz (POL) in 22 moves. GM Anish Giri (NED) stopped GM Marc` Andria Maurizzi's (FRA) winning streak by launching a devastating attack. The World Champion, GM D Gukesh suffered his second consecutive loss. This time against the Greece no.1, GM Nikolas Theodorou. The reigning World Junior champion, GM Pranav Venkatesh drew against the 44th Olympiad Gold medalist, GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB). The defending champion, GM Vidit Gujrathi ended his draw streak to pick up his second win of the event, against GM Anton Demchenko (SLO). Nihal will face the leader, Parham in Round 7. Today is the sole rest day. Round 7 starts tomorrow Thursday 11th September at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Siddhanth Poonja dominates 21st BRDCA Rapid Rating Open 2025

09/09/2025 -

Siddhanth Poonja scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 21st BRDCA Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Sailesh R, FM Rohit S and IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam scored 8/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Siddhanth defeated the eventual second runner-up, Rohit in the seventh round and drew against the runner-up, Sailesh in the final round. The total prize fund was ₹250000. The top three prizes were ₹30000, ₹25000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by BRDCA at Sri Manjunatha Swamy Kalyanamantapa, Hosakote in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 15th August 2025. This is Siddhanth's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: BRDCA

Paras Dilip Bhoir decimates 1st Runwal Rapid Rating Open 2025

09/09/2025 -

Paras Dilip Bhoir scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 1st Runwal Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Seven players - IM Srijit Paul, GM Laxman R R, IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni, FM Vedant Panesar, Arnav Kherdekar, Pushkar Dere and FM Ritvik Krishnan scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed second to eighth respectively according to tie-breaks. Paras defeated the eventual runner-up, Srijit in the penultimate round. The total prize fund was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹30000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Aryan Institute of Chess Excellence at Runwal Garden in Dombvli, Maharashtra on 15th August 2025. This is Paras' third overall, second rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Ravindra Potawad

Grand Swiss 2025 R5: Arjun Erigaisi outwits Nikita Vitiugov

09/09/2025 -

The fifth round of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 is the most eventful one so far. GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) defeated GM Richard Rapport (HUN) to maintain his sole lead 4.5/5. World no.4, GM R Praggnanandhaa and World Champion, GM D Gukesh suffered losses against Germany no.2, GM Matthias Bluebaum and World's youngest GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) respectively. Praggnanandhaa misplayed in a minor piece endgame for the second consecutive round. Gukesh played uncharacteristic chess, took risk early on, managed to get back in the game, only to simplify at the wrong moment in the endgame. World no.5, GM Arjun Erigaisi scored a fine victory against GM Nikita Vitiugov (ENG). GM Nihal Sarin and World Junior champion, GM Pranav Venkatesh also scored a win each to move to 3.5/5. Round 6 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Prajwal Bhat

Rahul Srivasthav P clear first at 12th Annual Washington International 2025

08/09/2025 -

GM Rahul Srivasthav P scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 12th Annual Washington International 2025 Championship (≥2200 or USCF 2000). He finished a half point ahead of the competition. GM Jianchao Zhou (USA) and GM Andrew Tang (USA) scored 7/9 each. They shared second place. The total prize fund was US$ 43650, $25000 in the Championship section. The top three prizes were $7000, $3500 and $1750 each. The five-day nine round Rating Open Championship (≥2000 or USCF ≥2200) tournament was organized by FA Mike Regan at Rockville Hilton in Rockville, Maryland, USA from 9th to 13th August 2025. This is Rahul's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Apart from Rahul, IM Ilamaparthi A R is the only other Indian to make top ten finish. He is the highest non-GM finisher, shared fourth place scoring 6.5/9 and remained undefeated. Photo: Michael Regan / Maryland Chess Association

Grand Swiss: Divya Deshmukh scores her first win against Africa no.1 - Bassem Amin

08/09/2025 -

GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) drew against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) to maintain his sole lead at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. GM R Praggnanandhaa and GM Vidit Gujrathi missed winning chances in the endgame against GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) and GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (UKR) respectively. The World Champion, GM D Gukesh played a solid draw against GM Arjun Erigaisi. GM Divya Deshmukh scored her first win of the event against the Africa no.1, Dr. GM Bassem Amin (EGY). In the Women's event, IM Dinara Wagner (GER) held GM R Vaishali to a draw. GM Kateryna Lagno defeated IM Yuxin Song (CHN) to join the lead with Vaishali at 3.5/4 each. They will inevitably clash in the fifth round. It starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

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