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Esports World Cup Last Chance Qualifier: Praggnanandhaa and Nihal advance to the Playoffs

26/07/2025 -

Chess is evolving. It is no longer just played over-the-board and in person anymore. The online chess takes a huge shape at Esports World Cup 2025. The total prize fund allotted for chess is US$ 1.5 Million. Arjun Erigaisi became the first Indian to quality to the main event of Esports World Cup back in May. 12 spots are already filled. Various players all over the world battled in the Last Chance Qualifier. Levon Aronian (Team Reject), Oleksandr Bortnyk (NAVI), R Praggnanandhaa (Team Liquid) and Hans Niemann (Team M80) have topped their respective A, B, C and D groups. They will be joined the remaining top four finishers of each group to play in the double elimination Playoff stage. The last four players standings at the end of the Playoff, will advance to the main event. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

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

2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix R7: Pavel Eljanov's king marches towards victory

26/07/2025 -

GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) defeated GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) to stay a half point ahead 6.5/7 at 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters. Eljanov used his king beautifully in the queen and rook endgame to win the game. IM Marco Materia (FRA) displayed gritty defence after GM Bryce Tiglon (USA) missed his winning opportunity. IM Jakub Seemann (POL) scored a fine victory over GM Xiao Tong (QD, CHN) to move to 6/7. Jakub will inevitably clash against Pavel in the penultimate round. IM Anuj Shrivatri held GM Savva Vetokhin to a draw. GM Iniyan Pa is the sole Indian at 5.5/7. Round 8 starts today at 2:30 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Anton Demchenko dominates 3rd Vojvodina Open 2025, Shahil Dey second

25/07/2025 -

Top seed, GM Anton Demchenko (SLO) scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Vojvodina Open A group (≥2100) 2025. He finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the rest. IM Shahil Dey scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. Four players scored 6/9 each. Out of them, GM Tomas Laurusas (LTU) was placed third according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was €7000, €5150 in Group A. The top three prizes were €1000 + trophy, €800 and €700 along with a medal each. The eight-day nine round Rating tournament was  organized by Vojvodina Chess Federation at Ceremonial Hall of SPC Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Serbia from 25th June to 2nd July 2025. Then FM Ajay Mushini was the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 5.5/9 to finish seventh. CM Kumaresh A won the Blitz Rating Open, FM Raghav V claimed third place. Photo: vojvodinachess.net

Vladimir Fedoseev wins 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters, Aravindh Chithambaram second

25/07/2025 -

GM Aravindh Chithambaram drew his final round game against the reigning World Rapid champion, GM Volodar Murzin. GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) won against GM Salem Saleh (UAE). Both Fedoseev and Aravindh scored same points 28.5/52. Fedoseev finished ahead of Aravindh in the Chess960 event, part of Grandmaster Triathlon. Thus, Fedoseev became 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters 2025. Aravindh had to settle for second place. Salem finished third scoring 24.5/52. GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) had already won the GMT Challengers with a round to spare. He finished with 33.5/52. GM Aram Hakobyan (ARM) secured second place 28.5/52. GM Rinat Jumabayev (KAZ) was third 20/52. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix R6: Pavel Eljanov misses a win, still in sole lead

25/07/2025 -

GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) drew against GM Bryce Tiglon (USA) to maintain his sole lead 5.5/6 at 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters. Eljanov was winning against Tiglon. However, in a position when it seemed almost everything is winning, he opted for a choice which turned the tables. The American missed his opportunity and thegame ended in a draw. The top seed of the tournament, GM Jorden van Foreest (NED) defeated GM Xiongjian Peng (CHN) convincingly to move to 5/6. Jorden and seven more players including France's very own, IM Marco Materia is at 5/6. Round 7 starts today at 2:30 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Koneru Humpy knocks out Tingjie Lei to qualify to her first FIDE Women's World Cup Final

24/07/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy defeated GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) 5-3 to advance to the Finals of the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. This is the first time she qualified to a Women's World Cup Final. After two draws in the 15'+10" Rapid games, Tingjie struck by winning the first 10'+10" Rapid. Humpy won the must-win second 10'+10" Rapid. She continued her momentum by winning the next two 5'+3" Blitz games to win the match and secure her place in the Final. With this win, she has secured that India will win the Women's World Cup. Now the question remains who will win it - Divya or Humpy. Tomorrow is the last rest day. Round 7/Final Game 1 starts on Saturday 26th July at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Aravindh Chithambaram on the verge of winning 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters

24/07/2025 -

GM Aravindh Chithambaram defeated GM Salem Saleh (UAE) to regain his sole lead 27/48 at 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters 2025. Aravindh avenged his fifth round loss in the Qualifiers where he had a great position against the UAE no.1. A win in the final round against the reigning World Rapid champion, GM Volodar Murzin makes Aravindh a clear champion. A draw would mean, Aravindh would need the other game between GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) and Salem to end in a draw too, because if Aravindh draws and Fedoseev or Salem win, then they will become champion as both finished higher than Aravindh in the 960 event which will be used to break the tie if the need arises. GMT Final Round 3 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix R5: Pavel Eljanov emerges sole leader as Baadur Jobava loses on time

24/07/2025 -

GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) defeated his coleader GM Baadur Jobava (GEO) to move to 5/5 at 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters. Jobava ran out of time after he missed an opportunity to gain the decisive advantage, positionally he was lost to when he had no time left. GM Bryce Tiglon (USA) and IM Marco Materia (FRA) are the only two players who are at 4.5/5 each. They are followed by 19 players at 4/5 including the top seed, GM Jorden van Foreest. GM Raja Rithvik R is the sole Indian at 4/5. Round 6 starts today at 2:30 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Divya Deshmukh becomes the first-ever Indian to advance to a FIDE Women's World Cup Final

23/07/2025 -

19-year-old IM Divya Deshmukh has etched her name in the history by becoming the first Indian woman to advance to the Finals of a FIDE Women's World Cup. The second Semifinal was absolutely worthy of its clash. It had everything, mistakes in a back and forth battle. Eventually, the 16th Women's World Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) made the final error which cost her game. GM Koneru Humpy was also winning in the rook endgame, similar to her compatriot. However, she fumbled it and will have to play tie-breaks tomorrow against GM Tingjie Lei (CHN). The winner will face Divya in the Finals. Round 6/Semifinal Tie-break games start tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Biel MTO R8: Karthik Venkataraman executes a beautiful combination

23/07/2025 -

GM Karthikeyan Murali drew against GM Mustafa Yilmaz to maintain his lead 6.5/8 at 58th Biel Chess Festival Master Tournament (MTO). It allowed GM Karthik Venkataraman to catch up as he defeated GM Pranav Anand to emerge coleader with Karthikeyan. In the penultimate ninth round, Karthikeyan will inevitably clash against Karthik. Eight players including GM Pranesh M and GM Magesh Chandran Panchanathan are trailing by a half point at 6/8 each. GM Aravindh Chithambaram missed a great opportunity to push for a win agaginst GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) and emerge sole leader himself. GM Salem Saleh (UAE) and Fedoseev maintain their lead 24.5/52. Aravindh is currently at third place. GMT Final Round 2 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix R4: Eljanov and Jobava win four in-a-row

23/07/2025 -

GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) and GM Baadur Jobava (GEO) are the only two players with a perfect score 4/4 at 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters. GM Leon Luke Mendonca went wrong when he made an incorrect queen sacrifice. The rest of the game became trudge for him and he could not recover. GM Aditya S Samant spotted a nice tactic after his opponent Jobava missed it. However, Aditya could not follow through correctly and it cost him the game. Ten players are trailing by a half point at 3.5/4 each. For the fourth consecutive round, a game ran for six hours. This time it was a draw between FM Apaar Saxena and GM Max Warmerdam (NED). Round 5 starts today at 2:30 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Women's World Cup SF1: Calm before storm?

22/07/2025 -

It is the Semifinals of FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 which means stakes are very high. A place in the Finals, coveted spot in the next Women's Candidates, medal and good cash prize, all are on the line. So, no one would want to make a mistake early in the match. Both matches, GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) and GM Koneru Humpy, and also IM Divya Deshmukh and GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) ended in quiet draws. We may get to know at least one finalist tomorrow, or wait one further day to find them both. Round 6/Semifinal Game 2 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Levon Aronian wins Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas, Magnus Carlsen third

22/07/2025 -

Garry Kasparov once famously said that the chess world is a better place when Levon Aronian is playing well. The universally loved, gentleman of the sport defeated Hans Niemann 0.5-1.5 in the Finals to win the match and tournament. Thus, Hans secured second place. There is a reason the maestro has won the FIDE World Cup twice and no one else has managed to repeat his feat. Magnus Carlsen also won his third place match with the same score against Hikaru Nakamura. Thus, Magnus finished third on the podium. If he decides to play the World Cup later this year and defend his crown, perhaps he can have a legitimate claim to tie Aronian's record, unless someone else makes a move towards the World Cup crown. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Grandmaster Lalit Babu MR and Madhesh Kumar S are the Champions of Aurionpro Mumbai International GM Open and Juniors Chess Tournament 2025

22/07/2025 -

With a highly exciting finish, Grandmaster Lalit Babu MR and Madhesh Kumar S are the Champions of the Aurionpro International Grandmaster Chess Tournament and Aurionpro International Juniors Chess Tournament respectively. Both Madhesh and Lalit scored critical wins in the final round to become the Champion! Lalit took home a beautiful trophy and Rs. 4,00,000, while Madhesh won Rs. 2,00,000 and an equally impressive trophy! Check out all that happened in the final round and all the information of the closing ceremony in this report. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy, Himank Ghosh

Biel MTO R7: Karthikeyan Murali and Pranav Anand emerge coleaders

22/07/2025 -

GM Karthikeyan Murali and GM Pranav Anand have emerged coleaders 6/7 at 58th Biel Chess Festival Master Tournament (MTO). Karthikeyan and Pranav defeated GM Sasikiran Krishnan and IM Christian Gloeckler (GER) respectively to stay in the lead. They are pursued by four players - GM Mustafa Yilmaz (TUR), GM Karthik Venkataraman, IM Dau Khuong Duy (VIE) and GM Pranesh M at 5.5/7 each. In the GMT Masters, GM Salem Saleh (UAE) and GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) moved to the top with 23/48 each. Fedoseev topped the Blitz event with 7.5/10, after starting the event with a loss against GM Aravindh Chithambaram. Aravindh scored 6/10 in Blitz, same as Salem. Aravindh's overall score is 21.5/48. He is in the final four of the GMT Masters with Salem, Fedoseev and GM Volodar Murzin. GMT Final Round 1 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

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