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Biel GMT R4: Aravindh Chithambaram maintains his sole lead

19/07/2025 -

GM Aravindh Chithambaram drew both his third and fourth round games against GM Volodar Murzin and GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek (POL) respectvely at 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters 2025. He is now at 15.5/30, 1.5 points ahead of GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO). GM Salem Saleh's win over Fedoseev ensured Aravindh's sole lead. Salem moved to 13/30. GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) stays ahead in the Challengers section with a score 19/30, 3.5 points ahead of GM Aram Hakobyan (ARM). In the Master Tournament (MTO), GM Karthikeyan Murali, GM Pranav Anand and GM Sasikiran Krishnan are in a three-way lead 4.5/5. GMT Round 5 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

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

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas: Levon Aronian vs Hans Niemann in the Finals

19/07/2025 -

Levon Aronian won the World Cup twice for a reason. He defeated Arjun Erigaisi twice in the Semifinals to advance to the Finals of Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas. Hans Niemann (USA) also won his match 1.5-2.5 against Fabiano Caruana (USA) to move to the Finals. Caruana had winning chances in both first 30'+30" and 10'+10" games. In the Finals, it will be Aronian vs Niemann. Arjun will play Lower Bracket Semifinal against Caruana. R Praggnanandhaa defeated Vincent Keymer (GER) 1.5-0.5 in the Intermediate Stage 1. Lower Bracket Semifinals and Intermediate Stage 2 Game 1 starts today at 11 a.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. Finals will take place tomorrow on 20th July. Photo: Abhyudaya Ram

Women's World Cup 2025 R4 TB: Humpy, Harika, Vaishali and Divya qualify to the QF, create history

19/07/2025 -

For the first time in a FIDE Women's World Cup, four Indian women are in the Quarterfinal stage. It means 50% of the players remaining in the tournament are Indians. Both GM Koneru Humpy and IM Divya Deshmukh needed two tie-break games to eliminate GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) and GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) respectively. Divya scored a huge win against Jiner and Humpy remained undefeated in her match. GM Harika Dronavalli knocked out GM Kateryna Lagno by 2.5-3.5. GM R Vaishali had to battle the longest. She eliminated the giant-killer of the tournament by 4.5-3.5 after a grueling tie-breaks. Round 5/Quarterfinal Game 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas: Arjun Erigaisi will face Levon Aronian in the Semifinals

18/07/2025 -

A new chapter will be written in the Arjun Erigaisi-Levon Aronian saga. Arjun needed only two 30'+30" games to beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) by 0.5-1.5. Levon Aronian won his Semifinal against Hikaru Nakamura by 2.5-1.5. R Praggnanandhaa and Fabiano Caruana had an exciting where they traded wins for six consecutive games. Armageddon had to decide winner which was Caruana. Hans Niemann (USA) defeated Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) to secure his place in the Semifinals. He will face Caruana in the next stage. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) whitewashed Vidit Gujrathi 2-0 and now he will face the Upperbracket QF losers in a Lowerbracket QF. Upper Bracket Semifinals and Lower Bracket Quarterfinal Game 1 starts today at 11 a.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

AICF announces ten FIDE Trainer Seminars in 2025

18/07/2025 -

Chess is indubitably the number one sport in India. World Champion, both Olympiad champions are currently from India. Players from all over the country are winning laurels at various events. To ensure the momentum and legacy continues, there needs to be an infusion of quality chess trainers. More chess coaches who are properly trained can help learn budding talents to become strong, work efficiently and effectively. Thus, All India Chess Federation has announced ten FIDE Trainers' Seminar. Ten to take place in 2025 and the eleventh one will be held in January 2026. All of them will take place in eleven different states and dates. Check out more details in the article. Photo: ECU

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen, advances to QF with Arjun Erigaisi

17/07/2025 -

R Praggnanandhaa handed Magnus Carlsen (NOR) his first loss in the fourth round of Round Robin stage at Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas 2025. The World no.1 played boldly and imploded. Even though he got a chance to get back in the game, he missed it. The result affected him so much that he lost the following game against Wesley So (USA) in a winning position. Later, Levon Aronian (USA) defeated Carlsen twice in tie-breaks to advance to the Quarterfinals. It means, Carlsen can maximum get a third place finish at this event by winning the Lower Brackets. Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi are the two Indians to have advanced to the Quarterfinals. Quarterfinals Game 1 starts today at 11 a.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Biel GMT R2: Aravindh Chithambaram emerges sole leader

17/07/2025 -

GM Aravindh Chithambaram won an exciting battle against GM Frederik Svane (GER) in Round 2 of 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters Qualifiers event. It was a back and forth game which could have gone either player's way. The Germany no.2 erred in time trouble and arrived at a lost rook and bishop vs queen endgame. Aravindh had no trouble converting his advantage into a win. He is now the sole leader 12.5/18. GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) increased his sole lead in the Challengers by defeating the gentleman of the sport, GM David Navara (CZE). GM Karthikeyan Murali and GM Pranav Anand are the two Indians with a perfect score 3/3 in the Master tournament (MTO). GMT Round 3 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Women's World Cup 2025 Round 4.1: Divya Deshmukh outplays Jiner Zhu

17/07/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh scored a huge win over GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) in the first game of Round 4 at FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. The World no.6 among women, made a series of piece trades and arrived at a queen and knight vs queen and bishop endgame. Divya made the most out of her material combination as it is known that queen and knight is generally better than a queen and bishop. She outplayed her opponent and defeated Jiner for the first time in their Classical rated battles. GM Koneru Humpy, GM Harika Dronavalli and GM R Vaishali drew against GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI), GM Kateryna Lagno and IM Meruert Kamalidenova (KAZ). Round 4 Game 2 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Sahib Singh receives Rs. 54,000 through the Sri V.S. Phani Sarma Scholarship

16/07/2025 -

The HelpChess Foundation has been working to support talented chess players across India through various scholarships. One such initiative is the Sri V.S. Phani Sarma Scholarship worth Rs. 54,000, which is launched in memory of a passionate chess lover, Phani Sarma. This scholarship has been awarded to 16-year-old Sahib Singh, who recently earned the International Master title. This article shares the story behind the scholarship and how it will help Sahib move closer to his dream of becoming a Grandmaster. Read on to know more.

Md. Imran convincingly clinches Koneru Purnachandra Rao Gold Cup and Rolling Shield Rating Open 2025

16/07/2025 -

The top seed of the tournament, IM Md. Imran scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Koneru Purnachandra Rao Gold Cup and Rolling Shield Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Three players - Raghav Srivathsav V, Abhishek T M and Karan J P scored 8/9 each. They secured second to fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹805000. The top three prizes were ₹75000, ₹50000 and ₹25000 along with a trophy each. The five-day nine round rating tournament was organized by Hyderabad District Chess Association at LB Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana from 26th to 30th June 2025. This is Imran's fourth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Praggnanandhaa, Arjun and Vidit set to face Carlsen and co. at Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas

16/07/2025 -

Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 4 starts today in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This will be the first time the event expands to 16 players and also a woman - GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ), former two-time World Blitz Women's champion make her debut. World's top five ranked players - Magnus Carlsen (NOR), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Fabiano Caruana (USA), R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi will be competing at this event. The players have been divided into an eight-player group of White and Black. Top four players from each group will advance to the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals, while the bottom four finishers of each group will move to the Bottom Bracket Quarterfinals. Round 1 starts today at 11 a.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Biel GMT R1: Fedoseev and Aravindh unyielding at the top

16/07/2025 -

GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) and GM Aravindh Chithambaram played another exciting draw in the first round of 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters Qualifiers event. Unlike their Rapid encounter, neither side had any real chance to push for a win. The remaining two Masters games also ended in draws. In the Challengers section, all three games ended decisively. GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE), GM Aram Hakobyan (ARM) and GM David Navara (CZE) scored a win each against GM Rinat Jumabayev (KAZ), GM Qun Ma (CHN) and GM Daniel Dardha (BEL) respectively. Theodorou maintains his sole lead 12/14. Round 2 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Sharan Rao perfect at DAV-Go Checkmate Rapid Rating Open 2025

15/07/2025 -

IM Sharan Rao scored a perfect 6/6 to win DAV-Go Checkmate Rapid Rating Open 2025, part of International Chess Prix. Four players - IM Ricardo De Guzman (PHI), IM Zhaoqi Liu (CHN), WIM Isha Sharma and Jing Xi Jonathan Lee (SGP) scored 5/6 each. They secured second to fifth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was SG$ 7500. The top two prizes were $300 and $112 along with a trophy each. The one-day six round rating tournament was organized by Go Checkmate Pte Ltd at DAV Hindi School in Singapore on 28th June 2025. This is Sharan's second tournament triumph of the year. The International Chess Prix took place from 23rd to 28th June. Photo: Tan Rui / Go Checkmate Pte Ltd.

Visakh N R dominates 5th Città di San Leo International Open 2025, Aakanksha Hagawane second

15/07/2025 -

GM Visakh N R scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 5th Città di San Leo International Open 2025. He finished a staggering 1.5 points ahead of the rest. Visakh's better half, WIM Aakanksha Hagawane scored 7/9 to secure second place. He won the tournament with a round to spare. GM Miroljub Lazic (SRB) and GM Stefan Djuric (SRB) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was €3700. Top three prizes were €1000 + cup, €750 and €500 along with a medal each. The seven-day nine round tournament was organized by AD Circolo Scacchi Montefeltro at Palazzo Mediceo in San Leo, Italy from 16th to 22nd June 2025. This is Visakh's third overall, second individual tournament victory of the year. He had won this event three years ago. Photo: Leonardo Pruccoli

Women's World Cup 2025 Round 3 TB: Harika and Vaishali move to Pre Quarterfinals

15/07/2025 -

IM Vantika Agrawal's fantastic run at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 came to an end. She missed all her chances to win her games and the match against the former three-time World Blitz Women's champion, GM Kateryna Lagno. GM R Vaishali survived two losses before winning the next two games consecutively against IM Carissa Yip (USA) to move to Round 4. GM Harika Dronavalli missed her chances in the first two 15'+10" Rapid tie-break games. However, she managed to seize her opportunity in the next two 10'+10" Rapid games to advance to the Pre Quarterfinal stage. Today is the first of two rest days. Round 4 Game 1 will start tomorrow Wednesday 16th July at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

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