Akshayakalpa Karnataka State 2018: Thej, Stany, Girish or Isha?!

18/04/2018 -

The Akshayakalpa Karnataka State 2018 has reached a highly interesting juncture right before the last day of the event. Two more rounds are to be played and some things have panned out as expected, while a few things have happened which absolutely no one could have imagined. Thejkumar, Stany and Girish Koushik are in the lead with 7.5/8, but the surprise of the tournament is clearly Isha Sharma who is also on the same points. The reigning state women's champion scored wins over Likhit Chilukuri and N. Sanjay in the last two rounds and has added an altogether different dimension to this event.

IM Harsha Bharathakoti wins Kathmandu Open 2018

18/04/2018 -

IM Harsha Bharathakoti drew his last round game against GM Azer Mirzoev and became champion of Kathmandu Open 2018 with a score of 7.5/9. He won a gigantic trophy and NRS 200000. Seven people ended up with 7.0 points each. Azer Mirzoev of Azerbaijan, had the best tie-break score and he secured the first runner up position bagging home NRS 120000, followed by Tarlev Konstantin of Ukraine, who got NRS 80000. Top 3 board games might have ended up in a draw but the result does not do justice to their hard fought devastating battles. In this report, we bring you photos, games and videos from the final round of the tournament.

Akshayakalpa Karnataka State 2018: Four way lead with 6.0/6

17/04/2018 -

Six rounds have been completed at the Akshayakalpa Karnataka State Championships 2018. We have four leaders on 100% score - Thejkumar, Arvind Shastry, Girish Koushik and Yashas D. 14 players follow them on 5.5/6, which also includes the top seed Stany G.A, who drew his game against Likhit Chilukuri. The biggest prize money state tournament of the year organized by Akshayakalpais surely going to get exciting in the last four rounds. We have a report until round six with pictures, game analysis and more.

Harsha Bharathakoti in sole lead after penultimate round in Kathmandu Open 2018

16/04/2018 -

IM Harsha Bharathakoti took sole lead with a score of 7.0/8 after defeating GM Deep Sengupta in the 8th round. There are five players at the joint second position with 6.5/8, Azer Mirzoev, Tarlev Konstantin, Himal Gusain, Alon Greenfeld and P Shyam Nikhil. Azer Mirzoev and Tarlev Konstantin drew their games quickly and Sandipan and Shyam Nikhil's marathon game ended up in a draw. Total NRS 10 lacs is up for grabs for all the prize winners, first prize being NRS 2 lacs. Final round starts at 9 a.m. NST tomorrow. We bring you games, photos and videos from round 7 and 8.

Akshayakalpa Karnataka State Day two: The build-up before the showdown!

16/04/2018 -

What can you expect when players of 900 - 1000 points Elo difference play against each other? Well, definitely the higher rated player should win with ease, right? You can see that the trend is - it is becoming increasingly difficult for the stronger players to score easy wins because the overall level of play has gone up. You can see this very clearly when players like Thejkumar and Stany who are nearly 2500 rated faced off against 1600 Elo opposition. Akshayakalpa Karnataka State is also setting benchmark in how players and parents are being entertained and educated in between the rounds. Speakers like environmentalist Vani Murthy, GM Srinath Narayanan, IM Sagar Shah and FI Niklesh Jain shared all their knowledge with the audience. 

Kathmandu Open 2018 Round 6: 14 players lead

15/04/2018 -

There is a pack of 14 players who are leading at the conclusion of sixth round in Kathmandu Open 2018. Harsha Bharathakoti tried hard to push for a win at the top board against Tarlev Konstantin in round 6 but he had to settle for a draw. Sandipan, Deep and Himal cruised forward with an easy win. Padmini Rout had to endure a prolonged same colored bishop endgame which she played correctly and eventually won the game. It is going to be an exciting round 7 as all fourteen players will try to extend their lead in the morning tomorrow. In this report, we bring you photos, games, video and interview. Photo: Nongsha Angom

Sharjah Masters 2018: Adhiban in Superman mode!

15/04/2018 -

After a lacklustre start to the year at the Tata Steel Masters 2018 B. Adhiban has powered his way back to the top and shown to the world why exactly he is one of the finest chess players of India. He did well at the National Team Championships in February, won the Reykjavik Open in March and is now in superb form at the Sharjah Masters 2018. In the fourth round he beat his 2700+ opponent Yuri Kryvoruchko with a scintillating attack. Check out this special game!

Karnataka State Day 1: Kishan Gangolli is Akshayakalpa's Brand Ambassador

14/04/2018 -

The biggest state championship ever to be held on Indian soil with a prize fund of Rs. 10 lakh began on the 14th of April 2018 in Bangalore, Karnataka, with the first two rounds. The top seeds had it easy as they were pitted against relatively weaker opposition. The exciting news of the day was surely five-time visually challenged National Champion Kishan Gangolli being given the role of brand ambassador of Akshayakalpa. A couple of months ago Kishan was thinking about quitting chess and now after today, he has every reason to start dreaming once again. A huge pictorial report with excellent photographs by Amruta Mokal.

Neelash defeats top seed, three-way lead after round 4 in Kathmandu Open 2018

14/04/2018 -

Reigning West Bengal State Champion, 16-year old Neelash Saha defeated top seed GM Sergey Volkov of Russia in round 4 of Kathmandu Open 2018. It was the biggest upset of the day. At the end of round 4, there is a three-way tie between GM Tarlev Konstantin of Ukraine, GM Sergey Kasparov of Belarus and GM Alon Greenfeld of Israel. Among round 3 upsets, untitled Patil Pratik drew with GM Deep Sengupta, Harshita Guddanti drew with IM Harsha Bharathakoti, Anustoop Biswas drew with GM Sriram Jha and Nepali Badrilal defeated IM Alina L'ami. In this report we bring you games, photos and videos from round 3 and 4 of Kathmandu Open 2018. Photo: Nongsha Angom

3rd Kolkata International Grandmasters Open 2018 preview

14/04/2018 -

After a three year hiatus, Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy and AllSport Foundation will bring back the much awaited 3rd edition of Kolkata International Grandmasters Open Chess Tournament on 14th May and conclude on 22nd May 2018. Total Prize fund will be ₹19 lacs cash including first prize being ₹3 lacs cash. That's not all. There will be another tournament for players rated 1999 and below where the first prize will be ₹70000 cash. GMs will be provided free accommodation on double sharing basis and other players participating in the 'A' group will also be provided accommodation double/triple sharing basis. ChessBase India will be present at the tournament for extensive coverage.

Bangkok 2018: Paradise on Earth!

14/04/2018 -

It is one of the strongest open tournaments in the world. The 18th Bangkok Chess Club Open 2018 got underway from 13th of April with 15 GMs and 12 IMs. It doesn't come as a surprise that India has the highest number of participants (40), even more than the host country Thailand which has just 23 players. Some of the world class players are here including Hrant Melkumyan, Nigel Short, Jan Gustaffson. Malaysia's Peter Long is present at the venue and he brings us the round one report with some beautiful photos. Truly, the tournament is located in one of the most picturesque locations, ideal for combining chess with vacation.

North East Champion holds former Russia Champion in Round 2 of Kathmandu Open 2018

13/04/2018 -

Reigning North East 2018 champion Rahul Gurung drew with the top seed of the tournament, former Russia champion, GM Sergey Volkov in the 2nd round of Kathmandu Open 2018. Rahul was ahead by a knight but the Russian Grandmaster managed to squeeze a draw in the endgame. The tournament started today with 166 players from 12 different countries including 9 Grandmasters and 9 International Masters. Top seeds had smooth sailing in the first round as there was no upset. We bring you photos, videos and games from both Round 1 and 2 of the tournament. Photo: Nongsha Angom

From rejuvenating agriculture to transforming chess - Know Akshayakalpa better!

13/04/2018 -

Corporate sponsorship in chess is nearly non-existent. But Akshayakalpa, a Karnataka based agricultural company is spending nearly 40 lakhs to stage the biggest ever state tournament in the history of Indian chess. Why is Akshayakalpa doing this? What exactly does Akshayakalpa do? We are sure many of you have this question on your mind. ChessBase India founders Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal made their way to Tiptur to get a first hand view of Akshayakalpa's operations. They spent an entire day in the small town and at the end of it, were thoroughly impressed. Our final conclusion: It's an honour for the game of chess to be associated with a company like Akshayakalpa which believes in truthfulness, transparency and above all socio-economic development of India.

Kathmandu Open 2018 Day 1: Inauguration Ceremony & Preview

12/04/2018 -

Nepal is hosting the first international chess tournament in the nation's capital, Kathmandu. Total 199 players including 9 GMs and 11 IMs are participating from 17 different countries. This tournament will give a huge boost to the Nepali players as for the first time they will get exposure to play against strong foreign chess players in their home soils and get an opportunity to make their mark. The tournament will take place from 12th to 17th April in Park Village Resort with total prize money of Nepali Rupees 6 Lacs. Team ChessBase India is present at the venue and they will bring you detailed coverage of the tournament.

Sauravh Kherdekar wins 2nd Holi Cup 2018

12/04/2018 - Sauravh Kherdekar of Railways won the 2nd edition of the Holi Cup Lakecity Open Rated Tournament which was organized by chess in lakecity under the aegis of All Rajputana Chess Association and All India Chess Federation. The event was held at Bhandari Darshak Mandap, Chetak Circle, Udaipur. 40 years old FM Sauravh Kherdekar remained undefeated, scored 7.5/8 and became champion in a very convincing manner. Top seed of the event IM Rahul Sangma scored 7.0/8 and finished 3rd. Vikas Sahu, who is the secretary of Chess in Lakecity, sends us a detailed summary of what happened at the event.