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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

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

Pune GP R6: Humpy crushes Batkhuyag, stays in the hunt

21/04/2025 -

GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) defeated GM R Vaishali to maintain her sole lead 5/6 at FIDE Pune GP 2025. Vaishali misplaced her knight in a critical position, initiated an incorrect chain exchange which landed her in a lost endgame. IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) got crushed by GM Koneru Humpy. She moved her score to 4.5/6. IM Divya Deshmukh drew with GM Harika Dronavalli to move to 4/6. Humpy and Jiner will face each other today in a crucial encounter. The result is quite possibly going to have an impact towards the outcome of the tournament. Round 7 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

Grenke Freestyle Open R6-7: Carlsen runs through competition

21/04/2025 -

Time and time again, GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) has showed why he is at a different level. After the seventh round of Grenke Freestyle Open, Carlsen is leading with a perfect score 7/7. He defeated GM Awonder Liang (USA) and GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) to maintain a perfect score. The game against the Iranian was a sharp battle which got resolved in time. In the previous round, GM Leon Luke Mendonca suffered his first loss against him. GM Pranesh M defeated GM Grigoriy Oparin (USA) in Round 6. GM Aryan Chopra drew with GM Vincent Keymer (GER) in Round 6. Leon, Pranesh, Aryan and GM Karthikeyan Murali are at 5/7 each. Round 8 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

3rd Maharashtra GM R1: Priyanshu, Samyak, Aanjaneya, Venkata, Priyanka and Ajay beat IMs

20/04/2025 -

GM Manik Mikulas (SVK) played a solid draw against the top seed, GM Abhijeet Gupta in the first round of 3rd Maharashtra GM (>2200) 2025. Vedant Nagarkatte defeated GM Raset Ziatdinov (USA). FM Priyanshu Patil, Samyak Dharewa, Aanjaneya Phatak, CM Venkata Ruthvik Mummana, WGM Priyanka Nutakki and FM Ajay Santhosh Parvathareddy got the better of IM Sammed Shete, IM Viani Antonio Dcunha, IM Semetei Tologon Tegin (KGZ), IM Mohsen Elgabry (EGY) and IM Amrou Sobh (EGY) respectively. The total prize fund in Open A is ₹3000000. The top three prizes are ₹450000, ₹350000 and ₹275000 along with a trophy each. Round 2 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

The ever-present fan, Vijay Rajendran announces the 'Porunai Scholarship' worth Rs. 1,50,000

20/04/2025 -

What's it like to live and breathe chess? Think of it from a fan's perspective. For some, it might be meeting their favorite players, and for some, it might be attending elite tournaments. For Vijay Rajendran, it’s both and actually so much more! He is a die-hard chess fan who was seen at many elite tournaments in the recent times. He has gone beyond just being a fan. He has recently announced his first Scholarship, the “Porunai Scholarship” worth Rs. 1,50,000 to support chess players in their journey. This total amount will be divided among three players. Rs. 1 lakh will be donated to Aniket and Sayali, the ones who we discovered at the Mind Champions Challenge recently and the remaining Rs. 50,000 will be donated to R P Kanishri, one of the strong players from Tamil Nadu. Read on to learn more about Vijay’s incredible journey, his contribution to the chess world and the reason behind supporting these chess players. Photos: Vijay Rajendran

GM Shyaam Nikhil gets into wedlock with R Divya

20/04/2025 -

Last year, India got only one Grandmaster in the form of P Shyaam Nikhil. Since then we are still awaiting the 86th Grandmaster of the country. So what has the 85th Grandmaster been upto lately? Professor and a well decorated IA R Anantharam writes about Shyaam's wedding. He married to R Divya. She is not a chess player but she loves chess much. The wedding ceremony was a gala event where Tamil Nadu's star-studded players, trainers, arbiters and various members of the chess universe attended this event to show their support and blessings to the newly married couple. Photos: IA R Anantharam

Four-time World Chessboxing Champion Madhavi Gonbare starts crowdfunding for her upcoming international event

20/04/2025 -

Chessboxing, where brain meets brawn, is rapidly gaining popularity in India. We have more than thousands of chessboxers in India, and Madhavi Gonbare, a four-time World Chessboxing Champion is one of them. Her dedication and confidence have brought her to another milestone: becoming India’s first competitor at the prestigious Chessboxing May Day event. The event is scheduled on the 1st of May in London. To get there, she needs our support. The total cost for her travel and competition is Rs. 3 lakh. So far, she has managed to raise Rs. 2,35,701, but  Rs. 64,300 is still needed. If you would like to be a part of her inspiring journey, read the full article to find out how you can contribute. Photo: Madhavi Gonbare

Levan Pantsulaia wins 2nd Namma Bengaluru GM 2025, Anuj Shrivatri second

20/04/2025 -

GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO) drew with GM Manuel Petrosyan (ARM) in Round 10 to become the champion at 2nd Namma Bengaluru GM 2025. Just like the inaugural edition champion, GM Mitrabha Guha, Levan also won both Classical and Blitz Rating tournaments. IM Anuj Shrivatri and GM Alexei Fedorov also scored 8/10 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. A dozen players scored 7.5/10 each. Among them, Nithin Babu was placed fourth. He is the sole untitled and non GM/IM finisher among top 20. Nithin also earned his final IM-norm at this event. The total cash prize fund was ₹2500000. The top three prizes are ₹450000, ₹350000 and ₹250000 along with a trophy each. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Grenke Freestyle Open R4-5: Aryan and Leon spell beautiful disaster for Arjun and Rapport

20/04/2025 -

GM Leon Luke Mendonca continues his great run at Grenke Freestyle Open 2025. After beating the reigning World Blitz cochampion, Ian Nepomniachtchi in Round 3, Leon defeated the ever creative, GM Richard Rapport (HUN). In the fifth round, Leon drew with GM Alexey Sarana (SRB) to move to 4.5/5, a half point behind the sole leader, GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) 5/5. GM Aryan Chopra got the better of GM Arjun Erigaisi in the fourth round. Arjun had a substantial advantage for the better part of the game. However, an error in an extremely complex position gave Aryan the win. Aryan drew with GM Hans Niemann (USA) in Round 5 to take his score 4/5. Round 6 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Wenjun Ju becomes Women’s World Champion for the fifth time

19/04/2025 -

Wenjun Ju defeated Zhongyi Tan 6.5-2.5 in a twelve game match to become the FIDE Women's World Champion for the fifth time. The eventual champion started the Chongqing segment with a victory, completing her hat-trick. Then she won the next game too which meant that she needed only a draw in the next four games. That's what she did in Game 9 to retain her crown. The total prize fund was €500000. Wenjun won 60% which is €300000 since the tie-breaks were not needed, Zhongyi got €200000. Zhongyi could not bring her best game and the match turned out to be extremely one-sided. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Pune GP R5: Jiner escapes jaws of defeat after Salimova's queen sac

19/04/2025 -

IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) sacrificed her queen for a rook and knight, got herself few good opportunities to win against GM Jiner Zhu (CHN). However, despite playing so well, she was unable to capitalize on her chances and the fifth round game of FIDE Pune GP ended in a draw. GM R Vaishali scored her first win of the event against IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL). India's top two women, GM Koneru Humpy and GM Harika Dronavalli made a quick 19-move draw. IM Divya Deshmukh had a well contested draw against IM Polina Shuvalova. Today is the sole rest day. Round 6 starts tomorrow Sunday 20th April from 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

Grenke Freestyle Open R2-3: Leon Luke Mendonca stuns Ian Nepomniachtchi

19/04/2025 -

GM Leon Luke Mendonca made the most out of his opportunity against GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in Round 3 of Grenke Freestyle Open 2025. The reigning World Blitz cochampion made an incorrect decision to castle long and found himself in great peril. Leon soon gave up a pawn and gained an exchange in the next few moves. He had no trouble converting his material advantage into a win. GM Pranesh M is the only other Indian at 3/3. He defeated GM Ray Robson (USA) in the third round. Leon will face GM Richard Rapport (HUN) and Pranesh will be up against GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) in Round 4. The World no.1, GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) will face GM Etienne Bacrot (FRA) who got the better of GM Fabiano Caruana (USA). Round 4 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Adam Jacso wins Kobe Chess Championship 2025

18/04/2025 -

Mayur Gondhalekar and his good friend, Sheldon Donaldson regularly keeps us updated about the Japan chess scene. Sheldon writes a blog about his experience of playing at Kobe Chess Championship 2025. He has already qualified for the upcoming Japan Chess Championship. So this event was a warm up for him. The Canadian origin, currently residing in Japan, Sheldon's article is full of high quality photos and some interesting moments from his games. He loves playing, analyzing and making us enjoy various moments from his games. Check out his account of the tournament which took place in Kobe, Japan. Adam Jacso (JPN) won the tournament scoring 3.5/5. Shun Tokuni (JPN) also scored the same. However, he was placed second according to tie-breaks. Four players including Sheldon scored 3/5. Out of them, Tadashi Ono finished third and Sheldon fifth. Photos: Sheldon Donaldson

Grenke Freestyle Open R1: A smooth start for the favorites

18/04/2025 -

Grenke Chess witnesses the participation of over 3000 players combining three groups in Open and three in Freestyle. It is the biggest open chess tournamet in the world. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) is the top seed in the Freestyle Open A. World no.4, Arjun Erigaisi and World no.11, Aravindh Chithambaram are two of the top Indian players in the fray. The conventional Grenke Open has a combined total prize fund of €70000 whereas the Freestyle Open has a prize fund of €225000, more than three times of Classical chess. There is no doubt that it has attracted all the top chess players around the world to try this popular old variant which has been renamed and rebranded to 'Freestyle chess'. Round 2 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Pune GP R4: Divya Deshmukh bounces back, Humpy wins two in-a-row

18/04/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh bounced back with a win over IM Melia Salome (GEO) in Round 4 of FIDE Pune GP. Divya had to grind a major piece endgame, until her opponent faltered. GM Koneru Humpy won her second consecutive game by defeating IM Polina Shuvalova. Both Humpy and Divya are at 3/4 each. A half point behind the sole leader, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) who defeated IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL). The All-Indian clash between GM Harika Dronavalli and GM R Vaishali ended in a draw. IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) scored her first win of the event against IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL). Round 5 starts today from 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

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