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Nicosia GP Round 4: Harika crushes Badelka, Anna Muzychuk joins Jiner Zhu in the lead

19/03/2025 -

GM Harika Dronavalli crushed IM Olga Badelka (AUT) in the fourth round of FIDE Nicosia GP. Harika scored her first win of the event as she surprised her opponent with 2.a3 in the English Opening. She lost an exchange early in the game and could not recover. GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) won her second consecutive game. This time, it was against IM Divya Deshmukh who made a tactical error in the endgame. Anna joined GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) in the lead 3/4. Harika is trailing the leaders by a half point with GM Aleksandra Goryachkina at 2.5/4 each. Round 5 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

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

Masterclass with GM FST Srinath Narayanan starts tomorrow in Hyderabad

18/03/2025 -

The Masterclass with GM FST Srinath Narayanan starts tomorrow in Hyderabad. After receiving around 30 applications, we have handpicked 13 rising stars to embark on this transformative chess journey. There will be one-on-one feedback with GM Srinath, sessions on problem-solving, media training, off-the-board learning activities, and many more. Players from five different states will be participating in this masterclass. This event is made possible because of the support of Amitpal Singh and Maestro Chess Academy. Check out the article to meet the talented players.

Thomas Beerdsen wins Karel Janeček Open at Prague International Chess Festival 2025

18/03/2025 -

GM Thomas Beerdsen (NED) and GM Karen Grigoryan (ARM) scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 each at Karel Janeček Rating Open part of Prague International Chess Festival 2025. Thomas won the tournament due to better tie-breaks scores, Karen had to settle for second place. Eight players scored 7/9 each. Out of them, GM Evgenios Ioannidis (GRE) was placed third. The top three prizes were CZK 30000 + trophy, 20000 and 15000 each. GM Raja Rithvik R is the sole Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 7/9 to be placed seventh. 45th Olympiad double Gold medalist, IM Vantika Agrawal is the top female finisher. She scored 6.5/9 to finish 18th overall and receive the Best Woman prize. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Nicosia GP Round 3: Divya plays a solid draw against Goryachkina, Anna Muzychuk scores her first win

18/03/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh played a solid draw against the FIDE Women's World Cup 2023 champion, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina. The third round of FIDE Nicosia GP witnessed the solitary win by GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) against GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO). Anna could have finished things slightly earlier if she had traded queens at the opportune moment. It would have resulted in a winning pawn endgame for her. Nevertheless, she eventually checkmated her opponent's king in the queen endgame. Anna is now at 2/3 along with IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), a half point behind the sole leader, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) 2.5/3. Round 4 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Petroleum Sports Promotion Board perfect at 22nd National Team Women 2025

17/03/2025 -

Petroleum Sports Promotion Board scored a perfect 14/14 to win 22nd National Team Chess Championship 2025 Women. PSPB actually won the tournament with a round to spare when Telangana A lost to them 0-4 in the penultimate round. The defending champions won the tournament for the second consecutive year with a 100% score. After skipping the previous edition, Airports Authority of India scored sole 11/14 to secure second place. Andhra Pradesh A scored 10/14 to finish third. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹500000. Top three prizes were ₹125000, ₹100000 and ₹75000 each. Photo: All India Chess Federation

Laxman R R wins 4th ICC Rapid Rating Open 2025

17/03/2025 -

Seven players - GM Laxman R R, IM Ratnakaran K, Arpith S Bijoy, FM Aakash G, IM Hari Madhavan N B, IM Nitin S and Mani Bharathy scored 8/9 each at 4th ICC Rapid Rating Open 2025. Laxman won the tournament according to tie-breaks. The remaining six were placed second to seventh respectively. Apart from Aakash, the remaining seven were undefeated. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹300000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each respectively. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Indian Chess Consortium at Sri Venkatalakshmi Kalyana Mandapam in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on 23rd February 2025. This is Laxman's first tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Dr. Sathiesh G G

Nicosia GP Round 2: Divya Deshmukh shares the point with Mariya Muzychuk

17/03/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh drew with the 15th Women's World Champion, GM Mariya Muzychuk in Round 2 at FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) sacrificed her queen for GM Harika Dronavalli's rook and knight. However, it was virtually impossible for Harika to break through her opponent's fortress or make progress. Thus, the game ended in a draw. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) scored the sole win of the round against GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER). The four pawns against bishop and two pawns seemed to be heading towards a draw until the Germany no.1 made a blunder which was one of the few ways she could lose and she did. Divya will battle against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina and Harika will be up against Jiner in the third round. Round 3 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

New: Christian Bauer: The Art of Initiative - The Key to Opening Success

16/03/2025 -

The Key to Opening Success: Unlock your chess potential with this dynamic course focused on mastering the initiative. Whether you're looking to gain an advantage or counter an early attack, this video course will give you the tools to navigate the critical early stages of the game with confidence and precision. From bold opening pushes like g2-g4, to strategic pawn sacrifices, you‘ll explore how to dictate the pace of play while balancing aggression with solid fundamentals. Learn when to disrupt your opponent‘s plans, control the centre, and manage the delicate balance between gaining space and creating weaknesses. Now you can stream on any device and also study it in the ChessBase Book format with videos along with your usual option of download and install. Photo: ChessBase

Oliver Stork perfect at Prague International Chess Festival 2025 G1 Rapid Rating Open

16/03/2025 -

FM Oliver Stork (GER) scored a perfect 7/7 to win Prague International Chess Festival 2025 G1 Rapid Rating Open. He finished a staggering 1.5 points ahead of the rest. Isaac Spence (USA), Mark Ouaki (BEL) and CM Nazar Sokhor (UKR) scored 5.5/7 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The top three prizes in G1 Rapid were CZK 3000, 2000 and 1500 each. Markus Schirmbeck (GER) won the G2 Rapid Rating (<2000) scoring an unbeaten 6.5/7. Sivanesan Subramanian (MAS) secured second place 6/7. Five players score 5/7 each. Out of them, Bohumil Pechoc (CZE) claimed third place due to better tie-break scores. The top three prizes in G2 Rapid were CZK 1000, 700 and 500 each. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Nicosia GP Round 1: Divya Deshmukh draws with Harika Dronavalli

16/03/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh drew her first round game against GM Harika Dronavalli at FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. Harika opted for the Berlin Defence in the Ruy Lopez. The nature of this opening is drawish. Pieces got exchanged at regular intervals and the game was drawn after 50 moves. IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) capitalized on her opportunity when her opponent, GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) missed a tactical idea in the back rank. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) outplayed IM Olga Badelka (AUT). Stavroula and Jiner are the only two victors of the round. Harika will face Stavroula in Round 2 and Divya will be up against GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR). Round 2 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Vidit Gujrathi qualifies to the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour 2025 Paris

15/03/2025 -

Vidit Gujrathi defeated Richard Rapport in the Finals of Freestyle Grand Slam Tour 2025 Play-in to qualify to the Paris leg. He defeated the 17th world champion Ding Liren (CHN) by 1.5-0.5 in Round of 16. Then he won against compatriot Pranesh M by same score in the Quarterfinals. In the Semifinals, Vidit crushed M Amin Tabatabaei by winning it 2-0. In the Finals, Vidit won the match 1.5-0.5 to secure his place in the Paris leg which will take place from 7th to 14th April next month. The total prize fund for the play-in was US$ 50000. The top three prizes were US$ 10000, 9000 and 8000 each. Vidit joins Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, D Gukesh, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Alireza Firouzja, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hans Niemann, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Vincent Keymer. There will be four Indians for the upcoming Paris leg. Photo: Anmol Bhargav

Railways Sports Promotion Board wins 44th National Team Open 2025

15/03/2025 -

Railways Sports Promotion Board B and Airports Authority of India scored an unbeaten 16/18 each at 44th National Team Chess Championship 2025 Open. The unit RSPB B won the tournament due to better tie-break scores. AAI had to settle for the second place. The fifth round battle between them ended in a draw. Railways Sports Promotion Board A scored sole 15/18 to finish third. All battles between the top three teams ended in draws. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹500000. Top three prizes were ₹125000, ₹100000 and ₹75000 each. RSPB became champion at National Team for the second consecutive year, though it was the 'A' team last year and this time it was team 'B'. Photo: All India Chess Federation

Harika and Divya set to battle World's top women at FIDE Nicosia GP

15/03/2025 -

The fourth leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2024-25 will start today in Nicosia, Cyprus. Both GM Harika Dronavalli and IM Divya Deshmukh will play their second GP event of the season. They will clash with each other in the very first round. The ten-player round-robin tournament will also feature GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR), GM Jiner Zhu (CHN), GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR), IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), IM Olga Badelka (AUT) and GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER). The reigning FIDE Women's World Cup winner, Goryachkina is the highest rated player of the event. Round 1 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Mitrabha Guha wins Morde Foundation Rapid Rating Open 2025

14/03/2025 -

GM Mitrabha Guha, GM Abhimanyu Puranik and IM Kaustuv Kundu scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at Morde Foundation Rapid Rating Open 2025. Mitrabha won the tournament according to tie-breaks. Abhimanyu and Kaustuv were placed second and third respectively. Mitrabha drew with both runners-up. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹350000. The top three prizes were ₹50001, ₹30001 and ₹20001 along with a trophy each respectively. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Morde Foundation at Jeevan Mangal Karyalaya in Pune, Maharashtra on 26th February 2025. This is Mitrabha's fourth overall, third rating tournament triumph of the year.

Sara Maria Sunea clinches Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Futures

14/03/2025 -

Sara Maria Sunea (ROU) scored 7/9 to win Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Futures. Despite starting the tournament with a loss, she finished a full point ahead. After scoring only 3/5 in the first five rounds, Sara won four games consecutively to become the champion. Winning this tournament earned her an opportunity to play the Karel Janeček Open next year. Zuzana Stara (CZE) and Greta Viti (ITA) scored 6/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. Sara defeated both Zuzana and Greta in Round 4 and 6 respectively. Zuzana also won Best Pair award as she had the best score with her Masters' pair - GM Wei Yi (CHN). Their combined score was 11/18. Photo: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival

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