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The HelpChess Fundraiser during FIDE Grand Swiss 2025

13/09/2025 -

HelpChess is the charitable foundation of ChessBase India that stands firmly behind Indian chess players who need financial support. Over the past six years, the foundation has helped talents with training, laptops, and opportunities that have pushed many players towards IM and GM titles. In 2024-25, we raised Rs. 1.6 crore to help players move forward in their chess journey. Now, with the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 underway, we are once again raising funds to support more promising talents. All the funds raised will be donated to GM Shyam Sundar's academy, Chess Thulir, where many of India's top chess talents are training. Check out the article to know about his work. You will also find a list of all contributors and their donations since the start of the event.

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Arvind Iyer wins All India Chess Masters Rating Open 2025 Season 2

13/09/2025 -

Arvind Iyer and Darsh Shetty scored 7/8 each at All India Chess Masters Rating Open 2025 Season 2. Arvind won the tournament on tie-breaks and remained undefeated. Darsh secured second place. IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni, Rushikesh Kabnurakar and Rajveer Pinkesh Nahar scored 6.5/9 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place respectively. Arvind defeated the eventual runner-up, Darsh in the sixth round and drew against the second runner-up, Vikramaditya in the final round. The total prize fund was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹40000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each. The six-day eight-round Swiss League Rating Open tournament was organized by and at Mumbai  Chess Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra from 16th to 21st August 2025. This was Arvind's sixth overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Khameshwanan G / Mumbai Chess Center

Grand Swiss 2025 R8: Nihal and Bluebaum remain coleaders

13/09/2025 -

GM Nihal Sarin played a 21-move draw against GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER) in Round 8 of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. Both remain coleaders at 6/8 each. GM R Praggnanandhaa, GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Pranav Venkatesh drew against GM Richard Rapport (HUN), GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM) and GM Ian Nepomniachtchi respectively. All six of them moved to 5/8 each. The defending champion, GM Vidit Gujrathi suffered a loss against GM Vincent Keymer (GER) after the former went wrong in a complex and equal pawn endgame. In a rare World Champion vs Women's World Cup winner clash, GM D Gukesh ended his losing streak by playing a 103-move draw against GM Divya Deshmukh. Round 9 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

What it really takes to chase a chess dream: A chess parent's perspective

13/09/2025 -

We see the players, their wins, their losses, their rise and struggles. But often, we miss the parents who adjust their lives, make sacrifices, yet cheer the loudest. For many families, nurturing a chess dream isn’t just about funding tournaments or buying books; it's much more than that. Parents reshape their daily routines, make tough choices, only to build a world where the child’s passion can grow. This article brings you that journey through the eyes of a chess parent. It's written by Swapan Karmakar, a chess enthusiast from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who has seen this journey closely. Read on to know what it takes for families to back a child's dream. Photo: Swapan Karmakar

Devesh Anand Naik clinches Goa State Senior Rating Open 2025

12/09/2025 -

Devesh Anand Naik (Ponda) scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win Goa State Senior Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Rishikesh Parab (Mormugao) scored sole 7.5/9 to finish second. Reuben Colaco (Salcete) and Chaitanya Sushant Patil (Mormugao) scored 7/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Devesh drew against both eventual runners-up, Rishikesh and Reuben in eighth and ninth round respectively. The top three prizes were ₹10000, ₹7000 and ₹5000 along with a trophy each. The five-day nine-round Swiss League Rating Open tournament was organized by Bardez Taluka Chess Association at DMC's PVSSM Kushe Higher Secondary. School and Institute of Vocational Studies in Assagao, Goa from 13th to 17th August 2025. This was Devesh's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

Vaibhav Gautam wins Silver medal in Men's Wheelchair Category at the 24th World IPCA Chess Championship

12/09/2025 -

Vaibhav Gautam is one of the rising chess players in India. He has lived with cerebral palsy since childhood. He cannot walk, he cannot speak, and he has limited control over his body movements. But none of that matters on the chessboard. He is a fearless fighter, which has translated into numerous victories in chess tournaments. In July, he won a silver medal in the Men's Wheelchair Category at the 24th World IPCA Individual Chess Championship 2025. It’s his dedication and fearless spirit that set him apart, as mentioned by his coaches, GM Ankit Rajpara and IM Aradhya Garg. Read the article to know his story, and you will realise, “When the desire is stronger than the obstacle, anything is possible!” Photo: Manoj Gautam

Ayush Sharma wins a double at 2nd Maharathi Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025

12/09/2025 -

IM Ayush Sharma, Harish Sharma, CM Aarit Kapil and Arnav Agrawal scored 8/9 each at 2nd Maharathi Rapid Rating Open 2025. Ayush won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively. The total prize fund was ₹800000, ₹600000 in Rapid and ₹200000 in Blitz. The top three prizes were ₹41000, ₹31000 and ₹21000 along with a trophy each. Ayush also won the Blitz Rating Open. He scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 and finished a half point ahead of the rest. Gopal Krishna Maheshwari, Aarit and Arnav scored 8/9 each. They secured second to fourth place according to tie-breaks. This is Ayush's second and third rating tournament triumph of the year. With these victories, Ayush has won a rating tournament each in all three formats in 2025. Photo: Maharathi Chess Academy

Grand Swiss 2025 R7: Nihal Sarin topples Parham Maghsoodloo, emerges coleader with Matthias Bluebaum

12/09/2025 -

GM Nihal Sarin managed to do what others could not so far at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. He defeated the sole leader, GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI). Nihal played beautiful chess to put pressure on the Iran no.1 and calculated some amazing lines to win the game. World no.5, GM Arjun Erigaisi suffered his first loss of the event against GM Matthias Bluebaum (GER). Arjun's tactical error cost him dearly. Both Nihal and Bluebaum have emerged coleaders 5.5/7. They will inevitably clash in the eighth round. The defending champion, GM Vidit Gujrathi outplayed the newly crowned France champion, GM Marc` Andria Maurizzi. The World Champion, GM D Gukesh suffered his third loss in-a-row, this time against GM Ediz Gurel (TUR). World no.4, GM R Praggnanandhaa scored a welcome victory after third round against, GM Maxim Rodshtein (ISR). In the Women's event, GM R Vaishali regained her sole lead by obliterating IM Guo Qi (CHN). Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

S Rohith Krishna becomes the 89th Grandmaster of India

11/09/2025 -

IM S Rohith Krishna became the 89th Indian to achieve the Grandmaster title on Tuesday 12th August 2025 at Almaty Region Open Qonaev Cup Masters. A win against IM Artur Davtyan (ARM) in the final round secured his final GM-norm. Rohith earned his first GM-norm in February this year at Hotel Stockholm North by First hotels GM Round-Robin in Stockholm, Sweden. Nearly four and a half months later, he scored his second GM-norm at 25th Dubai Open in Dubai, UAE. In August 2025, he got a published rating of exact 2500. Rohith earned all three GM-norms within a span of six months and completed the rating requirements too. Check out the journey of the talented 19-year-old from Chennai. Photo: IM Vivek Sohani

Kaustuv Kundu conquers 1st Siliguri SCGC Rating Open 2025

11/09/2025 -

IM Kaustuv Kundu scored an unbeaten 9/10 to win 1st Siliguri SCGC Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Soumick Bandopadhyay scored sole 8.5/10 to secure second place. Four players - Rahul Gurung, Sudhanshu Ranjan, Arpan Das and FM Kumar Gaurav scored 8/10 each. They were placed third to sixth according to tie-breaks. Kaustuv defeated both runners-up, Soumick and Rahul in Round 4 and 5 respectively. The total prize fund was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹70000, ₹50000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The six-day ten round Rating Open tournament was organized by Siliguri Chess Guardian's Club at Silpanchal Bhawan in Siliguri, West Bengal from 12th to 17th August 2025. This is Kaustuv's fifth rating tournament triumph of the year, second in the month of August in a fortnight. Photo: Abhijit Biswas

62nd National Championship 2025 starts in ten days

11/09/2025 -

The six-time consecutive National Senior champion, GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly is the top seed of 62nd National Chess Championship 2025. The former Asian and two-time National Senior champion, GM Sethuraman S P is the second seed. The legend, GM Sasikiran Krishnan is the third seed. The reigning National champion, GM Karthik Venkataraman has decided to skip this event as of now. The total prize fund is ₹3000000. The top three prizes are ₹600000, ₹500000 and ₹400000. Last date to receive entry is 14th September with a late fee ₹250 will be levied. Get an opportunity to play against India's top players in the strongest National Championship of the year. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Mohamed Anees M clear first at 7th SKG International Open 2025

10/09/2025 -

IM Mohamed Anees M scored 7.5/9 to win 7th SKG International Rating Open Group A (≥2000) 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Three players - FM Akaki Qalichava (GEO), GM Yunguo Wan (CHN) and GM Chongsheng Zeng (CHN) scored 7/9 each. They shared second, place respectively. Anees suffered his sole loss against the eventual runner-up, Akaki in the third round and drew against the second runner-up, Yunguo in the seventh round. The total prize fund was €3900, €3000 in Group A. The top three prizes were €1200, €600 and €400 along with a cup each. This is Anees' second rating tournament triumph of the year. Apart from Anees, IM Senthil Maran K is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6/9 to be placed tenth. Photo: Zetta Grapsa

Gone Too Soon: Exploring the Unfinished Chess Legacy of Dr S. Manikumar

10/09/2025 -

In India’s flourishing chess landscape, problemists — those visionary architects and meticulous decoders of artistic chessboard enigmas — remain a rarefied, quietly luminous enclave of creativity. Yet fate, in its merciless arbitrariness, has dealt this already dwindling cohort a blow from which it may never fully recover. Dr Solaiappan Manikumar bridged two worlds that rarely meet: the fragile realm of life he safeguarded as a physician, and the intricate, quixotic universe of chess problems he illuminated as a composer and solver. His untimely passing has left both spheres irrevocably diminished. This article is a humble tribute to Dr Manikumar’s brilliance and an effort to preserve his memory through the creations he left behind. Taken from us at just 45, far too soon, it forms the opening chapter of a legacy left unfinished.

Johnson Zoremthara Chhangte convincingly clinches 45th Robula Chess Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2025

10/09/2025 -

14-year-old Johnson Zoremthara Chhangte scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 45th Robula Chess Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. The top seed of the tournament, Soram Rahul Singh scored 7.5/9 to secure second place. Three players - Benjamin Lalhmingliana, Iftikar Alom Mazumder and Saingura Sailo scored 7/9 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Johnson drew against the eventual runner-up, Soram in the penultimate round and defeated the second runner-up, Benjamin in the fifth round. The total prize fund was ₹106000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. The three-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Mizoram Chess Association from 14th to 16th August 2025 at Ramhlun Indoor Stadium in Aizawl, Mizoram. This is Johnson's first tournament triumph of his nascent career in his seventh tournament overall. Photo: Lalzarzova Khiangte

Grand Swiss 2025 R6: Nihal Sarin squashes Szymon Gumularz in 22 moves

10/09/2025 -

GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) drew against GM Arjun Erigaisi to maintain his sole lead 5/6 at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. GM Nihal Sarin made a short work of GM Szymon Gumularz (POL) in 22 moves. GM Anish Giri (NED) stopped GM Marc` Andria Maurizzi's (FRA) winning streak by launching a devastating attack. The World Champion, GM D Gukesh suffered his second consecutive loss. This time against the Greece no.1, GM Nikolas Theodorou. The reigning World Junior champion, GM Pranav Venkatesh drew against the 44th Olympiad Gold medalist, GM Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB). The defending champion, GM Vidit Gujrathi ended his draw streak to pick up his second win of the event, against GM Anton Demchenko (SLO). Nihal will face the leader, Parham in Round 7. Today is the sole rest day. Round 7 starts tomorrow Thursday 11th September at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

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