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Magnus Carlsen wins the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025

02/08/2025 -

The World no.1, GM Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) won both sets of the Finals against GM Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons) to win the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025. The finals were a best of three sets, similar to tennis. Carlsen clinched both sets with 3-1 score. He suffered the only loss in the first game of the second set. This win etched his name in history, earned him US$ 250000 and 1000 points for his team. Firouzja got $190000. GM Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons) defeated GM Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports) 3.5-2.5 to finish third. Nakamura got $145000 and Arjun $115000. With a victory at the Esports World Cup, one can only wonder whether Carlsen will return to India later this year and defend his FIDE World Cup crown with an aim to tie Levon Aronian's record of winning the grueling month-long event for the second time. Photo: Esports World Cup 2025

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

Kaustuv Kundu dominates 1st Assam University Rating Open 2025

02/08/2025 -

The top seed of the tournament, IM Kaustuv Kundu scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 1st Assam University Rating Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. Eight players scored 7/9. Out of them, Tanmay Rajbongshi and Snehaal Roy secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. Kaustuv defeated Tanmay in the penultimate round. The total prize fund was ₹600000. The top three prizes were ₹51000, ₹41000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The six-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by Aikagunya Foundation and Cachar District Chess Association at Assam University in Silchar, Assam from 28th June to 3rd July 2025. This is Kaustuv's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Bibendu Das

Divya Deshmukh becomes fourth Indian female to earn the Grandmaster title

01/08/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh became the fourth Indian female to earn the Grandmaster title on Monday 28th July 2025. She also became World's 44th and India's 88th Grandmaster by defeating her compatriot and the reigning World Rapid Women's champion, GM Koneru Humpy. The legend Humpy became India's first female to earn the GM title back in 2002. Nine years later, Harika Dronavalli became the second Indian woman to earn the GM title. Divya also defeated her in the Quarterfinals. The Nagpur girl has an illustrious career so far, the GM title certainly cements her among the world's best. She has won a multitude of National, Asian and World age group titles, among Senior ones she won National and Asian Continental Women, three Gold medals at Olympiad and also World Junior Girls title. She is just 19, qualified to the FIDE Women's Candidates 2026. Women's World title is certainly one of her next goals. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Chesstival and Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Reach Millions Around the World

01/08/2025 -

Las Vegas hosted two exciting events this July: Chesstival and the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam. Chessival brought NBA stars together with elite chess players for matchups, while the Grand Slam featured top grandmasters competing for the title. For the first time, there was a live audience for this event and even some surprise guests joined in! The events reached millions online, with over 6.5 million live views and 1.5 million hours watched across platforms. Check out some of the best moments from the event. Photo: Freestyle Chess

Esports World Cup: Magnus Carlsen will face Alireza Firouzja in the Finals

01/08/2025 -

GM Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports) defeated GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (Aurora Gaming) 2.5-1.5 to advance to the Semifinals of Esports World Cup 2025. Arjun lost the Semifinal match against GM Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons) 1-4 in a six-game match. GM Nihal Sarin (S8UL Esports) got crushed in his own words against GM Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid). Magnus will face Firouzja in the Finals today. Arjun will battle GM Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons) for the third place. Apart from our youtube channel, watch the live stream commentary also on Sony Liv by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and GM Harshit Raja without the seven-minute delay from 6:30 p.m. IST today. Photo: Esports World Cup 2025

Vladimir Hamitevici wins Grand Hotel Kielce Open 2025, Rosh Jain third

01/08/2025 -

GM Vladimir Hamitevici (MDA) scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Grand Hotel Kielce Open 2025 (>2000). GM Eduardas Rozentalis (LTU) and FM Rosh Jain scored 6.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The top three prizes were 5000, 3000 and 2000 PLN along with a trophy each. WCM Swara Lakshmi S Nair scored a WIM-norm. IM Savitha Shri B and GM Sriram Jha scored 6/9 each to be placed seventh and ninth according to tie-breaks. CM Arush Chitre 5.5/7 and CM V S Nandish secured second and third place in the Fischer 960 tournament. Jaidambareesh N R and FM Raghav V scored 7.5/9 each to claim second and third place in Blitz Rating Open. Photo: Grand Hotel Kielce Chess Open

Abhrojyoti Nath amazing at 1st Assam University Blitz Rating Open 2025

31/07/2025 -

15-year-old Abhrojyoti Nath scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 1st Assam University Blitz Rating Open 2025. The teenager finished a half point ahead of the rest. IM Kaustuv Kundu scored sole 8/9 to secure second place. Shankhadeep Maity and FM Kumar Gaurav scored 7.5/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹18000 and ₹14000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Blitz Rating tournament was organized by Aikagunya Foundation and Cachar District Chess Association at Assam University in Silchar, Assam on 3rd July 2025. This is Abhrojyoti's third overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Bibendu Das

Esports World Cup: Nihal Sarin to face Magnus Carlsen in the Quarterfinals

31/07/2025 -

GM Nihal Sarin (S8UL Esports) defeated GM Anish Giri (Team Secret) 2-0 and GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Team Vitality) to advance to the Quarterfinals. Nihal won both matches without conceding a single game. He will face GM Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) in the Quarterfinals. GM Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports) will be up against GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (Aurora Gaming). The remaining two Quarterfinal matches are - GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (NAVI) vs GM Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons) and GM Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons) vs GM Levon Aronian (Team Reject). Apart from our youtube channel, watch the live stream commentary also on Sony Liv by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and GM Harshit Raja without the seven-minute delay from 5 p.m. IST today. Photo: Esports World Cup 2025

Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara prevails at Lince Andújar Chess Open 2025, Harikrishnan third

31/07/2025 -

The top seed of the tournament and Mexico no.1, GM Jose Martinez Eduardo Alcantara scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win Lince Andújar Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the rest. Four players - GM Brandon Jacobson (USA), IM Harikrishnan A Ra, GM Nikita Meshkovs (LAT) and IM Lukasz Licznerski (POL) scored 7/9 each. They secured second to fifth place respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was more than €20000. The top three prizes were €4000 + trophy, €2000 and €1500 each. Harikrishnan scored his second GM-norm at this event. Apart from him, CM Md. Reyan was the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6.5/9 to be placed tenth. Jose also won the Blitz Rating Open scorng an unbeaten 8.5/9. IM Lennis Martinez Ramirez (CUB) secured second place. FM Aditya Varun Gampa finished third with a score of 7/9. Photo: Andújar Exprés

World Schools Team Championship 2025 to be held from 2-7 August in Washington DC

30/07/2025 -

The second edition of the World Schools Team Championship 2025 is set to take place from 2nd to 7th August 2025. 55 schools from 47 countries will participate in this huge event for young talents. Alongside the championship, the Smart Moves Summit will explore how chess can be used as a tool for education, inclusivity, and personal development. These events aim to showcase chess as more than just a game. Read the full article to know more. Photo: Official poster

Esports World Cup: Aronian, Arjun, Firouzja and Carlsen advance to the Quarterfinals

30/07/2025 -

GM Levon Aronian (Team Reject), GM Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports), GM Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons) and GM Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) have advanced to the Quarterfinals from Group A, B, C and D respectively. Arjun defeated GM Nihal Sarin (S8UL) 2-0 and then won against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Team Vitality) 2-1 via Armageddon to secure his place in the Knockout stage. Nihal will now have to go through GM Anish Giri (Team Secret) and MVL in the Losers Brackets to earn his place in the Quarterfinals. Apart from our youtube channel, watch the live stream commentary also on Sony Liv by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and GM Harshit Raja without the seven-minute delay. Photo: Esports World Cup 2025

Laxman R R wins 1st Assam University Rapid Rating Open 2025

30/07/2025 -

GM Laxman R R and Rupam Mukherjee scored 8/9 each at 1st Assam University Rapid Rating Open 2025. Laxman won the tournament due to better tie-break score. He defeated the eventual runner-up, Rupam in Round 6 and also remained undefeated. Four players - Kishan Kumar, Iftikar Alom Mazumdar, Shankhadeep Maity and IM Kaustuv Kundu scored 7.5/9 each. They secured third to sixth place respectively. The top three prizes were ₹25500, ₹20500 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating tournament was organized by Aikagunya Foundation and Cachar District Chess Association at Assam University in Silchar, Assam on 1st July 2025. This is Laxman's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Anupam Bhattacharjee

19-year-old Divya Deshmukh becomes FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Champion and India's 88th Grandmaster

29/07/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh defeated GM Koneru Humpy 1.5-2.5 to win FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. The 19-year-old from Nagpur, Maharashtra became India's 88th Grandmaster for winning this event, making her the fourth Indian female to achieve this and 44th of the world. She has also become the youngest female ever to win this event. GM Alexandra Kosteniuk won the inaugural edition in 2021 at the age of 37 years and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina won it when she was 24. Divya is also the first non-GM player to have won this event. The top three prizes were US$ 50000, $35000 and $25000. The teenager has now won National Women, Tata Steel India Rapid Women, Asian Continental Women, double Gold at the 45th Olympiad Women among her major accolades. As she said, there is a lot more to achieve and she is hoping that this is just a start. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Ameya Audi dominates České Budějovice IM Round-Robin 2025, Apoorv Kamble third

28/07/2025 -

IM Ameya Audi scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win České Budějovice Chess Festival IM Round-Robin 2025. He finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the field. FM Nico Marakovits (AUT) secured second place scoring sole 6/9. FM Apoorv Kamble was placed third scoring 5.5/9. The top three prizes were CZK 4000, 3000 and 2000 along with a cup each. This is the second time since 2023, Ameya won an event at the festival. Last time, he won the Open event back in 2023. IM Anuj Shrivatri scored 6/9 to finish third in GM B Round-Robin. IM Stepan Hrbek (CZE) won that event scoring 7/9. FM Robert Ernst (AUT) was second 6.5/9. The top three prizes were CZK 5000, 4000 and 3000 along with a cup each. Photos: Queen Chess Club

Tie-breaks will decide the winner of FIDE Women's World Cup 2025

28/07/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy and IM Divya Deshmukh had a tepid draw in the second game of FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Finals. Neither player had any chances and draw became the obvious result. Thus, tie-breaks will determine the winner. Humpy is the reigning World Rapid Women's champion, something she has won it twice. So Divya will have to be careful in the faster time controls. GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) defeated GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) to finish third. Thus, Humpy, Divya and Zhongyi have secured their spot in the FIDE Women's Candidates 2026. Round 7/Final Tie-break games start tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

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