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GM Shyam Sundar's mission to make chess training affordable

13/03/2025 -

When you enter a beautiful garden, you admire the lush greenery, but do you think about the gardener who nurtured it? The same goes for chess champions. Behind every great player is a coach who quietly shapes their journey. This article tells the story of GM Shyam Sundar, who has been coaching students for the past 12 years. He believes that coaching should not be a privilege, which is why he offers training at affordable rates. His academy, Chess Thulir, is home to many aspiring players, some of whom are now on the verge of achieving their titles. Read the article to know how Shyam is shaping our future champions!  

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

Nodirbek Yakubboev wins Prague Challengers 2025 on tie-breaks

13/03/2025 -

GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) drew with IM Vaclav Finek (CZE) in the final round of Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Challengers. It allowed GM Jonas Buhl Bjerre (DEN) to catch up as he defeated FM Jachym Nemec (CZE). Both Yakubboev and Jonas ended up scoring 7/9 each. In this festival, both Masters and Challengers first place is resolved via tie-breaks. After a 150-move long battle, the first 5'+3" tie-break ended in a draw. It could have gone either player's way. However, Yakubboev won the second tie-break game convincingly to become the champion. Thus, earning himself a place in the Masters next year. IM Divya Deshmukh finished the tournament on a winning note. She defeated GM Stamatis Kourkoulos-Arditis (GRE) in the last round. Photo: Petr Vrabec/Prague International Chess Festival

3rd Maharashtra Chess Festival 2025: A Grand Celebration of Chess

13/03/2025 -

The 3rd Maharashtra Chess Festival 2025 promises to be a grand spectacle in the Indian chess calendar, bringing together players of all skill levels to compete in an electrifying atmosphere.The 3rd Edition being Organized by Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA) under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), this prestigious event will take place at Amanora Mall, Pune—a venue well-equipped to host an event of this magnitude. The last edition featured Epic Matches between GM Peter Svidler- GM Vidit Gujrathi and GM Nigel Short - GM Raunak Sadhwani whole this year the festival has reached new heights with the inclusion of FIDE WGP 2025: Leg 5 featuring world's finest 10 Women players. 

Bangalore Open 2025: A Battle for Chess Glory

12/03/2025 -

Chess enthusiasts and professionals alike are gearing up for one of the most exciting chess tournaments of the year, the Bangalore Open 2025. Officially known as the Namma Bengaluru International Grandmasters Open, this prestigious event is set to take place from April 10 to April 18 at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium. Bangalore, often referred to as India's Silicon Valley, has long been a hub for intellectual pursuits, making it an ideal setting for a high-stakes chess tournament. This year’s edition is expected to draw top players from around the globe, offering them a chance to compete in one of India’s one of the richest and most competitive open tournaments. Whether you are a seasoned grandmaster or an aspiring chess prodigy, this event presents an unparalleled opportunity to test your skills, earn valuable rating points, and vie for a share of the massive prize pool.

Discover the Magic of Chess Solving With GM Kacper Piorun’s Lichess Study!

12/03/2025 -

The internet has revolutionised the way we learn, offering a vast array of resources at our fingertips. However, with so many options available, it is now all the more essential to be discerning about where we invest our time. The online chess community is awash with courses promising rapid improvement, but frankly, few live up to the hype. Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to a rare exception: a free, high-quality resource that is truly worth its weight in gold. We are talking about a Lichess study created by Polish Grandmaster Kacper Piorun. Meticulously crafted, it is titled My World of Solving Magic. For those unfamiliar, Kacper is not just any Grandmaster—he is the reigning and multiple-time world champion in chess solving. And in this Lichess study, he delivers exactly what you would expect and more: a glimpse into his approach to solving.

Aakash Dalvi amazing at G H Raisoni Memorial Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Rapid Rating Open 2025

12/03/2025 -

FM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win G H Raisoni Memorial Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. IM Kushagra Mohan and FM Gaurang Bagwe sored 8/10 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹200000 + trophy, 50000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 each respectively. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by G H Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation at Himalaya Public School in Arjun Nagar, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra on 2nd March 2025. This is Aakash's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Bhushan Shriwas

New: Tim Wall: Countering the Ruy Lopez with the fighting Modern Steinitz

11/03/2025 -

The Modern Steinitz (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6!?) is an uncompromising counterattacking weapon that lets Black put White under pressure from the very start. With this course, you’ll master two sharp and dynamic approaches: the swashbuckling Siesta Variation (5.c3 f5!) and the fiery Fishing Pole Attack (5.0-0 Bg4 6 h3 h5!). Grab this Fritztrainer and increase your arsenal in Ruy Lopez/Spanish Opening. 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

Kushagra Mohan conquers Chronicles of Checkmate Rating Open 2025, Subhayan Kundu second

11/03/2025 -

IM Kushagra Mohan scored an unbeaten 9/10 to win Chronicles of Checkmate International Rating Festival 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. IM Subhayan Kundu, CM A A C B Amarasinghe (SRI) and A P Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena (SRI) scored 8.5/10 each. They secured second to fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the festival was LKR 1409500. The top three prizes were LKR 200000, 125000 and 75000 along with a trophy and medal each respectively. The five-day ten round Rating Open tournament was organized by Mayor Chess Club in collaboration with Chess Federation of Sri Lanka at Hummingbird by Susiri Reception Hall, Piliyandala in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 12th to 16th February 2025. This is Kushagra's second rating tournament triumph of the year.

Your chance to join Olympiad Gold Medalist coach Srinath Narayanan’s exclusive Masterclass

10/03/2025 -

We are organizing an exclusive offline Masterclass with GM FST Srinath Narayanan from 19th March to 22nd March 2025 in Hyderabad. This is specially designed for young, talented players who are stuck in their chess journey. It offers a rare chance to learn from one of India’s top coaches. Srinath has mentored India’s finest chess talents and led them to numerous victories. But this Masterclass is more than just winning games. It focuses on the holistic development of chess players. We also have two guest speakers to guide in your journey. There are only 15 seats available, so don’t miss out! Check out the article for more details. Photo: Anmol Bhargav.

D Gukesh at India Today Conclave 2025

10/03/2025 -

On Saturday 8th March 2025, D Gukesh attended India Today Sports Conclave 2025 at Taj Palace in New Delhi. The 18th World Champion talked about his success, stability, his parents huge role in his success, how he gets recognized more these days, how Covid-19 fuelled India's chess revolution, how it unfolded, Vishy Anand and his WestBridge Anand Chess Academy. Check out the 17-minute-long conversation in video form here. You can also read it in text form shared by Arushi Ranjan. Photo: India Today

Adamas and University of Calcutta are East Zone Inter University Women and Men 2024-25 Champions

09/03/2025 -

Adamas University won East Zone Inter University Women Championship 2024-25. The team won the tournament with a round to spare. They scored 100% 12/12 to finish first, three match points ahead of the runner-up. Hemchand Yadav Vishwavidyaya Durg and University of Calcutta scored 9/12 each. They were placed second and third respectively. In the Men's event, University of Calcutta and Jadavpur University scored 13/14 each. CU became champion on tie-breaks, JU finished second. Patna University scored sole 10/14 to be placed third. The National University championships will take place later this month.

Iniyan clinches 38th Cannes FIJ Open 2025, Aradhya Garg second

09/03/2025 -

GM Iniyan Pa scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 38th Festival International des Jeux de Cannes - Open A (>2100) 2025.  Iniyan finished a half point ahead of the competition. IM Aradhya Garg and GM Kagybek Nogerbek (KAZ) scored 7/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund in Open A €6000. The top three prizes were €1800, €1200 and €700. The seven-day nine round Rating Open A (>2100) tournament was organized by Romuald De Labaca  at Palais des Festivals et des Congres de Cannes - Salon des Ambassadeurs in Cannes, France from 24th February to 2nd March 2025. This was Iniyan's third tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Cannes Echecs

Pranav Venkatesh Golden at World Junior 2025

08/03/2025 -

GM Pranav Venkatesh drew with FM Matic Lavrencic (SLO) to clinch the Gold at World Junior Open 2025. He scored an unbeaten 9/11 with a performance of 2721, gaining 13.3 Elo rating points in the process. His final round opponent, Matic secured Silver scoring 8.5/11. GM Elham Amar (NOR) got Bronze scoring 8.5/11. WIM Anna Shukhman won Gold in the Girls event. She scored 9/11. WIM Ayan Allahverdiyeva (AZE) and IM Miaoyi Lu (CHN) scored 8/11 each to secure Silver and Bronze respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was €10000. The top three prizes in Open were €3000, €2000 and €1000 along with a medal and trophy each. For Girls, they were, €2000, €1250 and €750 with a medal a trophy each. Photo: Mitar Djukanovic

Aravindh Chithambaram dominates Prague Masters 2025 with a 2829 performance

08/03/2025 -

Aravindh Chithambaram drew Ediz Gurel (TUR) to become the champion of 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Masters. Anish Giri's (NED) victory over R Praggnanandhaa ensured Aravindh's clear first place finish with a 6/9 score. Anish finished second 5/9. Wei Yi (CHN) drew with Liem Quang Le (VIE) to finish third with the same score 5/9. Aravindh's performance rating at this event was 2829. He gained a valuable 12 Elo rating points, taking him to World no.14 in the live ratings. Those who have followed Aravindh's career always knew and believed him to have the potential to reach here and beyond. Him winning two Classical super tournaments in-a-row with the exact same rating performance is also quite unique. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Moments that made the Mind Champions Challenge 2025 unforgettable

08/03/2025 -

They can't see the pieces, but they feel the game. They came to play chess but left with so much more. On 23rd February 2025, 35 visually impaired players participated in the Mind Champions Challenge at the Phoenix Matketcity Mall, Kurla. The day witnessed as many exciting matches as beautiful stories. The event was sponsored by the Lions Club of Bombay Uptown with the help of ChessBase India, the All India Chess Federation for the Blind, and Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla. Read the article to relive the unforgettable moments and stories that made this event truly special! Photo: Abhyudaya Ram 

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