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FIDE World Cup 2023: Opening Ceremony and Press Conference

30/07/2023 -

The Opening Ceremony of FIDE World Cup and FIDE Women's World Cup 2023 was short and sweet. The entire performance, speech, draw of lots in total lasted barely an hour. It was really well done, considering most of the players in attendance have their Game 1 in a few hours and they need to prepare based on the 'Draw of Lots' colors. Vishy Anand, FIDE Deputy President and WGM Aynur Sofiyeva, Deputy Chair for the State Committee of Family, Women and Children Affairs, drew the colors for Open and Women sections. Before the ceremony, the first official press conference took place in presence of top Azerbaijan players FIDE World Cup 2019 winner - GM Teimour Radjabov, top woman of her country - IM Gunay Mammadzada, the officials Farid Gayibov, Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President and Mahir Mammedov, President of the Azerbaijan Chess Federation. Round 1.1 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Stev Bonhage

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The reason why Pravaha Foundation is spending Rs.2 crores (US$243k) for chess

29/07/2023 -

Pravaha Foundation is doing some phenomenal work in Indian chess by supporting 6 talented youngsters - 5 girls and 1 boy. They are Vantika Agrawal, Savitha Shri, Shubhi Gupta, Saparya Ghosh, Charvi and Ilamparthi. The Foundation has committed to spending Rs.2 crores over a period of 2 years. Why are they supporting chess, and what is the thought behind it? Sagar Shah had the chance to speak to the director and trustee of Pravaha Foundation - Vinoda Kailas. Find out all about it in this article.

Lalit Babu dominates Czech Open G1 Rapid 2023, Iniyan third

29/07/2023 -

GM Lalit Babu scored 8/9 to win Czech Open G1 Rapid 2023. He finished a full point ahead of the field. GM Lev Yankelevich (GER) and GM Iniyan P scored 7/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively. Both Lalit and Yankelevich remained undefeated. Their penultimate round battle against each other ended in a draw. The total prize fund of the event was 60000 CZK. The top three prizes were 10000 + trophy, 6000 and 5000 CZK each respectively. This is Lalit's first tournament triumph of the year. He is in the championship scene of Czech Open A Pardubice 2023. Lalit's last tournament triumph was last year at Dreamhack Rapid Open 2023. Photos: Czech Open Pardubice

Nikita Khoroshev wins Issykkul Open 2023, Aradhya Garg second

29/07/2023 -

IM Nikita Khoroshev (UZB), FM Aradhya Garg and GM Masoud Mosadeghpour (IRI) scored 7/10 each at Isyykkul Open A 2023. Nikita became champion due to better tie-break score, Aradhya secured second place and Masoud third. Aradhya also earned his fifth IM-norm in the process. His live rating is 2395.4 now. He is 4.6 Elo rating points away from becoming India's next IM. The reigning two-time National Under-17 Open champion, CM Mayank Chakraborty scored 6/10 to be placed ninth. He also earned an IM-norm. This is his second IM-norm in consecutive months. He is now final IM-norm and few Elo rating points The total prize fund of the tournament was 1589000 soms (US$ 18000). The top three prizes were 160000 + trophy, 130000 and 100000 som each respectively. Photos: Anna Shtourman

The Beautiful Baku

29/07/2023 -

FIDE World Cup and Women's World Cup 2023 inauguration ceremony is just a few hours away from now. We decided to do a short tour of Baku before this important event commences. The author of this article, Shahid Ahmed travelled to Icherisheher as he loves visiting historical places. After reading a lot about must-see places in Baku and getting info from the locals, Icherisheher seemed to be the perfect place to venture. In a little over three hours, he visited The Palace of Shirvanshahs, Guiness World Records award-winning Miniature Book Museum, Maiden Tower and Nizami Street. Let's take a look at what piqued the author's interest on a day when he walked 16230 steps, the longest of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Indian chess community on Praggnanandhaa crossing 2700 Elo at the age of 17 years

29/07/2023 -

For most of us chess has two titles - IM at 2400 Elo, and GM at 2500 Elo. But for the select few who are extremely good at the sport, there is also an unofficial title - that of Super GM. You start being called a super GM in the world of chess, when you cross the Elo of 2700. That's what Praggnanandhaa managed to achieve on 12th of July when he beat Parham Maghsoodloo in the second round of the Geza Hetenyi Memorial 2023. In this article we tell you how Pragg managed to break the 2700 Elo barrier, the people who have been instrumental in him achieving it and also the reaction of the top players in Indian chess community. 

Deep Sengupta wins 22nd Najdorf Memorial 2023

28/07/2023 -

GM Deep Sengupta, GM Valery Kazakouski (LTU) and GM Jacek Tomczak (POL) scored 7/9 each at 22nd Najdorf Memorial A 2023. Deep won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Kazakouski and Tomczak secured second and third place respectively. Ten players scored 7/8. Despite losing his fourth round game, Deep managed to score 4.5/5 in his next five games to become the champion. GM Sriram Jha and GM Shardul Gagare scored 6/9 each. They were placed seventh and tenth according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the festival was 45000 PLN, 24000 PLN in A, 12000 in B and 9000 in C. The top three prizes were 8000, 4000 and 3000 PLN each respectively in the A category. This is Deep's second consecutive podium finish after securing a second place finish at České Budějovice GM B 2023.

Xiangzhi Bu triumphs at 56th Biel MTO 2023, Aryan Chopra second

28/07/2023 -

GM Xiangzhi Bu (CHN) drew his final round game against his compatriot Xiongjiang Peng to win 56th Biel Chess Festival MTO 2023. Although, Xiangzhi was winning, since a draw was enough to become champion 8/10, he decided to finish the game soon. GM Aryan Chopra was held to a draw by IM Rathanvel V S. Aryan secured sole second position, scoring 7.5/10. This is Aryan's second consecutive runner-up finish after a second place finish at La Plagne Soleil Masters 2023 before this event. Rathanvel is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 7/10 to finish seventh on tie-breaks. IM Harikrishnan A Ra earned his maiden GM-norm with a 6/10 score. IM Vantika Agrawal won the Best Woman prize 6/10. Photos: Biel Chess Festival

Arjun Kalyan wins Chairman's Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2023

28/07/2023 -

GM Arjun Kalyan and GM Laxman R R scored an identical 7.5/8 at Chairman's Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2023. Arjun won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Laxman was placed second. Ten players scored 7/8. Out of them, Arun R U secured third place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹21000 + trophy, ₹18000 and ₹15000 each respectively. This is Arjun's first individual tournament triumph of the year. Earlier he had won both zonal and All-India Inter-University Championship 2023. The one-day Rapid Rating tournament organized by Sri Raghavendra Chess Academy and Master Mind Chess Academy was held on 15th July. It witnessed the participation of 471 players including two GMs. All photos in this article are by C Natarajan unless stated otherwise.

From an IM to an unrated player - Reviews for Attack like a super GM video course with Gukesh

27/07/2023 -

Gukesh is one of the most promising youngsters in the world of chess. He is no longer just a talent, but has confidently marched to the very top of the chess world and is currently ranked no.11. He has an Elo of 2751 in classical chess. In March 2023, Gukesh visited the ChessBase India studio in Mumbai and together with IM Sagar Shah they recorded a video course on how to attack like a super GM. The course is based on Gukesh's best attacking games. This video course which lasts for 4 hours and 14 minutes was sent out to a few of the members of the ChessBase India community. These members are from differing levels of strength - right from an IM to an unrated player. They give their honest feedback about the video course in this article. 

56th Biel MTO R9: Aditya Samant becomes India's 83rd Grandmaster

27/07/2023 -

IM Aditya Samant just needed to play his ninth round game against GM Aryan Chopra at 56th Biel Chess Festival 2023 MTO. The result of the game was immaterial for his GM title. Aryan won the game and maintained his pursuit 7/9 against the tournament sole leader GM Xiangzhi Bu (CHN) 7.5/9. Thus, Aditya became India's 83rd and Maharashtra's 12th GM. The last two GMs from Maharashtra are named Aditya. For the third consecutive year, India has got a new GM at this event. Harshit Raja in 2021, Pranav Anand 2022 and now Aditya Samant. Liem Quang Le (VIE) 32.5/56 won the GMT event for the second consecutive year. Arjun Erigaisi defeated Vincent Keymer (GER) in the final round to dash his championship hopes. He finished second 31.5/56. David Navara (CZE) finished third 30.5/56. MTO Round 10 starts today from 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Biel Chess Festival

A union made in the world of 64 squares: Hikaru Nakamura and Atousa Pourkashiyan are now married!

27/07/2023 -

A happy surprise came in the world of chess last night (July 26, 2023) when world number two, Hikaru Nakamura, and women grandmaster, Atousa Pourkashiyan, announced their marriage on Atousa’s Instagram page. The couple kept their dating profile low-key for a long time and eventually announced the news after tying the knot. A match made in heaven or over a chess board? One can argue, but needless to say, the fans are ecstatic. As the news came to light, wishes from all over the world came pouring in for the newlyweds. Find out more about both of these highly talented players in this article.

Sebastian Bogner clinches 96th Paris IdF Masters 2023, Harshavardhan second and Karthik Venkataraman third

26/07/2023 -

GM Sebastian Bogner (SUI) scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win 96th Paris IdF Masters 2023. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. IM Harshavardhan G B, GM Karthik Venkataraman, GM Andrei Shchekachev (FRA) and FM Aarav Dengla scored 6/9 each. They were placed second to fifth respectively as per tie-breaks. IM Sai Agni Jeevitesh J and FM Senthil Maran scored 5.5/9 each. They were placed sixth and tenth respectively. Aarav and Senthil scored an IM-norm each. This is Senthil's second IM-norm. The first prize was €2500 and trophy in the Masters section. The 96th edition witnessed the participation of 504 players in four categories - Masters, A, B and C. Photos: idF-Echecs

56th Biel MTO R8: Aditya Samant on the verge of becoming India's next GM

26/07/2023 -

IM Aditya Samant held the sole leader GM Xiangzhi Bu (CHN) to a draw in the eighth round of 56th Biel Chess Festival MTO 2023. Aditya's ninth round opponent, GM Aryan Chopra needs to turn up, irrespective of the outcome, they must play a game, for Aditya to become India's next Grandmaster. Apart from them, GM Pranav Anand and IM Rathanvel V S are two more Indians also at 6/8, a half point behind the leader Xiangzhi 6.5/8. Rathanvel won a nice game after he accepted his opponent, GM Carlos Daniel Albornoz Cabrera's (CUB) knight sacrifice and ensured he never gets anything out of it. GM Vincent Keymer (GER) defeated GM Bassem Amin (EGY) to throw the Grandmaster Triathlon (GMT) wide open before the final round. GMT Round 7 and MTO Round 9 starts today from 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Biel Chess Festival

IM Kushagra Mohan and Shriraj Bhosale: The Winners of the 4th edition of Pursue Your Chess Scolarship

25/07/2023 -

In 2018, a person hailing from Bangalore who wanted to remain anonymous initiated Pursue Your Chess Scholarship under the banner of Help Chess Foundation with Rs. 50000. It has been 5 years now, and this is the 4th edition of the initiative. The donor is now a well-known personality in chess, Ashwin Subramanian, a man with many talents. Ashwin has been an integral part of the chess community for some time now and finds ways to give back to the community in any way possible. With his support, we have been able to help many chess players all over the world. Every year, he has been raising the fund by Rs. 25,000; this year, the total amount was Rs. 1,25,000. The scholarship was divided between IM Kushagra Mohan, who won Rs. 1 lakh, and Shriraj Bhosale, who received Rs. 25,000.

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