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3rd Maharashtra GM R7: Half a dozen players catch up with Nitish at the top

25/04/2025 -

GM Manuel Petrosyan (ARM) handed the sole leader, IM Nitish Belurkar his first loss at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. In a semi-closed position, Nitish's king became vulnerable more than his opponent. GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO) pulled a similar feat against IM Ayush Sharma. GM Deepan Chakkravarthy, GM Tornike Sanikidze (GEO), GM Boris Savchenko and IM Neelash Saha are the remaining four players who joined the leaders' group at 5.5/7. WGM Mary Ann Gomes, IM Padmini Rout and WIM Tejaswini G are at 4.5/7 each. Tejaswini drew with GM Alexei Fedorov. For the first time at this event, the top two boards will only feature foreigners in the eighth round. It starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

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

SRM Institute of Science and Technology dominates All India Inter University Men 2025 with a perfect score

25/04/2025 -

The defending champion SRM IST, Chennai scored 100% to win All India Inter University Men Chess Championship 2025. They finished two points ahead of the runners-up Delhi University and Anna University 8/10. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The winning team comprised - GM Arjun Kalyan, IM FT Harikrishnan A Ra, GM Pranesh M, IM Srihari L R, IM Srihari L and IM Raahul V S. This is their fourth consecutive All-India Inter University Men title. They were the only which consisted of GMs and IMs only. The team won South Zone Inter University Team Championship back in January with a perfect score too.

New: Svitlana Demchenko: King's Indian Attack - Simple. Flexible. Dynamic.

25/04/2025 -

The King's Indian Attack is a universal opening: easy to learn, flexible and rich in both tactical and positional opportunities. By simply knowing the setup and some key ideas, it can become a lifelong addition to your repertoire - without the need for constant memorization. Played by fierce attackers like Bobby Fischer and great positional players like Tigran Petrosian, this opening is suitable for players of all styles. Apart from downloading files and installing on your computer, you can now stream videos and study from ChessBase books on any device - computer, smartphone, tablets etc. The app runs on both Windows and Mac OSX. For Windows device, Windows 10 or higher is required. Photo: ChessBase

64 Squares backed by Pravaha and MGD1 invest Rs.1 crore (US$ 117k) to power Indian women's chess

25/04/2025 -

The 64 Squares Initiative, a joint effort by the Pravaha Foundation and MGD1, is giving a boost to some of India's brightest young women chess players. The 2025 cohort includes IM Vantika Agrawal, WIM Sarayu Velpula, WIM Sahithi Varshini, Charvi Anilkumar and Shubhi Gupta. With a ₹1 crore fellowship, the program covers everything from training to tournament expenses, helping these players reach their full potential. The initiative has already seen players like Vantika achieve incredible success, and it continues to help young women break barriers and make their mark in chess. Read the article to know more.

3rd Maharashtra GM R6: Nitish and Ayush stay ahead of the pack

24/04/2025 -

IM Nitish Belurkar drew with IM Ayush Sharma to maintain his sole lead 5.5/6 at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. Both of them maintain their top two places. They are followed by 13 players at 4.5/6 each. GM Sandipan Chanda bounced back with a win over WIM Sarayu Velpula. IM Utsab Chatterjee and WIM Tejaswini G scored big wins over GM Stany G A and GM Van Huy Nguyen (VIE) respectively. WGM Mary Ann Gomes drew with GM Venkatesh M R. Both her and Tejaswini are at 4/6 each. Top seed of the tournament, GM Abhijeet Gupta scored a welcome victory after three draws in-a-row against FM Vedant Nagarkatte. Round 6 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Koneru Humpy wins Pune GP, Divya Deshmukh third

24/04/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy defeated IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) in the final round to win FIDE Pune GP. Her rival, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) also won her game against IM Polina Shuvalova. Both Humpy and Jiner scored 7/9 each, Humpy won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Jiner finished second. IM Divya Deshmukh drew with IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) to finish third 5.5/7. Humpy gained 117.5 points to move up to the second spot with 279.17. Jiner is close behind at 235. Humpy will need to hope that Jiner does not surpass her in GP points at the last GP event of the season next month, so that Humpy can qualify to the next Women's Candidates via GP. The total prize fund was €80000. The top three prizes were €18000, €13000 and €10500 along with a trophy and medal each. The next leg is in Grosslobming, Austria from 5th to 16th May 2025. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

3rd Maharashtra GM R5: Nitish Belurkar conquers Sandipan Chanda, maintains his sole lead

24/04/2025 -

IM Nitish Belurkar defeated GM Sandipan Chanda to maintain his sole lead at the conclusion of Round 5 at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. Compared to his last two wins, it was a contrasting victory for Nitish. IM Ayush Sharma got the better of GM Venkatesh M R. The teenager spotted a nice sequence of moves, eventually had two queens on the board and gave up one to have a safe win. Nine players are currently at 4/5. Among the Women, WGM Mary Ann Gomes and WIM Sarayu Velpula are at 3.5/5 each. They won against FM Raghav V and IM Sambit Panda respectively. Round 6 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Aswath wins big at Grenke Open 2025 with a 2779 performance

23/04/2025 -

IM Aswath S and GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) scored 8/9 each at Grenke Open A 2025. Aswath won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Brandon secured second place.GM Ivan Saric (CRO) and GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP) shared third place scoring 7.5/9 each. Aswath not only remained undefeated but also became the only IM to make a top ten finish. The first prize was €17500 (≈₹1704272.5 according to google), which means he won 17+ lacs. It is even more than tournaments total prize fund. Aswath performed at 2779 to earn his maiden GM-norm. That's not all, he played on the same stage as Magnus Carlsen (NOR), the winner of Grenke Freestyle Open and also won ahead of so many GMs and strong players. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Humpy or Jiner, Who will win Pune GP?

23/04/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy salvaged a draw from a lost position against IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) in Round 8 of FIDE Pune GP 2025. Meanwhile, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) got the better of IM Divya Deshmukh. It means both Humpy and Jiner are now sharing the lead 6/8. If they both end up having the same score after the final round, Humpy will become the champion as her tie-break score is better. However, if they both lose and Divya defeats Alina in the last round then she might claim a podium finish. GM R Vaishali missed a win after an interesting rook sacrifice against IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL). GM Harika Dronavalli had a 116-move prolonged draw against IM Melia Salome (GEO). Round 9 starts today at 2 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

3rd Maharashtra GM R3-4: Nitish Belurkar emerges sole leader

22/04/2025 -

IM Nitish Belurkar won both of his games to emerge sole leader 4/4 at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. FM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi scored a fantastic win over GM Boris Savchenko to cross 2400 in the live ratings and become the latest International Master of India. Aakash later lost to Nitish in Round 4 in a wild game. Nitish and Aakash's coleader - GM Venkatesh M R drew with GM Manuel Petrosyan (ARM) to move to 3.5/4. Six players are trailing Nitish by a half point. They are - GM Sandipan Chanda, GM Tornike Sanikidze (GEO), IM Ayush Sharma, GM Deepan Chakkravarthy, Venkatesh and IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh. Round 5 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Magnus Carlsen dominates Grenke Freestyle Open with a perfect 9/9 and 3153 performance

22/04/2025 -

There is a reason Magnus Carlsen (NOR) is considered G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time). Very few can argue and even dare to refute it as he has repeatedly proved that he is the best irrespective format or even variant. The World no.1 won Grenke Freestyle Open 2025 with a round to spare when he defeated GM Rauf Mamedov (AZE). In the final round, he won against the Germany no.1, GM Vincent Keymer. Although he didn't need but he still went for it shows that despite becoming a five-time World Champion and winning a World Cup too, he still has unquenchable hunger to shatter records. This was the first time he scored 9/9 in a Classical tournament and won it with a performance of 3153. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

ChessBase India and DD-DBCA Bring the Israel Chess Solving Championship to Kolkata

22/04/2025 -

In a groundbreaking first for the city, ChessBase India, in collaboration with the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy (DD-DBCA), is organising the Israel Chess Solving Championship in Kolkata. Set for May 11, the event will be held simultaneously in multiple cities worldwide, with Ra’anana, Israel, serving as the primary centre. The Kolkata leg of the contest provides local enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to pit their skills against international solvers and earn an official solver’s rating. Furthermore, outstanding local participants will receive gift vouchers as a token of appreciation for their efforts. Details regarding the time, venue, format, and other relevant aspects follow in this article.

Pune GP R7: Humpy beats Jiner, emerges sole leader

22/04/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy defeated GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) to become the new sole leader at FIDE Pune GP 2025. Jiner lost her first Classical game to Humpy after she went on a misadventure with her queen. Humpy has moved up to the top with 5.5/7, staying a half point ahead of the rest. IM Divya Deshmukh decimated IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) with a devastating attack on the kingside. She is now at second place 5/7. GM R Vaishali and GM Harika Dronavalli drew their respective games against IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) and IM Polina Shuvalova respectively. Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

3rd Maharashtra GM R2: Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy outplays Stany

21/04/2025 -

GM Marat Dzhumaev (UZB) defeated GM Karen Grigoryan (ARM) to maintain a perfect score at 3rd Maharashtra GM 2025. Karen could not get out of the gate against Marat. FM Jai Sankar Subramanian missed a great opportunity to win against GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO). FM Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy scored a huge win over GM Stany G A. Ajay launched relentless attack and his opponent did not have a good response to it. WGM Mary Ann Gomes played a solid draw against GM Tornike Sanikidze (GEO). Currently only 13 players are at a perfect 2/2. Tomorrow is the sole double round day of the tournament. Round 3 starts tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Rethinking Failure: It’s Not as Big as You Think

21/04/2025 -

The two-time reigning National Champion, GM Karthik Venkataramn shares a valuable advice. He talks about failure, slump and hard times a player faces. It is incorrect to compare a player with Magnus Carlsen, D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa. He not only posed questions but also answered on what needed to be done. Karthik reminded everyone that one has done countless comebacks to be where they are today. So, watch this article by Karthik now, get yourself inspired. ChessCult was a youtube channel which was launched by Karthik during pandemic. Now it hass been turned into website. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

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