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Arjun and Praggnanandhaa set to battle Carlsen and co. at World Rapid and Blitz 2024

26/12/2024 -

The World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2024 will take place from 26th to 28th, 30th and 31st December 2024. The reigning and defending champions - Magnus Carlsen (NOR), IM Anastasia Bodnaruk and GM Valentina Gunina return to defend their World Rapid and Blitz titles. Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja will be seen in action after skipping last year. Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Raunak Sadhwani, Sandipan Chanda, Aravindh Chithambaram, Harsha Bharathakoti, Pranav V, Diptayan Ghosh, Karthik Venkataraman, Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali R, Vantika Agrawal, Sahithi Varshini M, Padmini Rout and Priyanka Nutakki are the 17 Indians in the fray. Five rounds of Rapid in the Open and four in the Women will be played on 26th December 2024. Round 1 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 27th December 12:30 a.m. IST. Photo: FIDE

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

15-Year-Old GM Savva Wins 11th Sunway Sitges International

25/12/2024 -

Savva Vetokhin, a 15-year-old grandmaster, has won the Sunway Sitges International Chess Championship held in Sitges, Barcelona, Spain. With this victory, Savva becomes the youngest ever winner of this tournament. Savva secured the top spot by defeating Israel's Ido Gorshtein 2-0 in the final blitz tiebreak, marking the biggest title win of his career. Throughout the 10 rounds, Savva remained undefeated with 6 wins and four draws, scoring 8 points. Israel's Ido finished in second place, while tiebreaks were played for positions 3 to 8, which included India's llamanparthi. However, China's Li Di managed to secure the third position by defeating Tin Jingyao of Singapore. This year's Sunway Sitges Festival featured three blitz, one rapid, one 960 and one bullet tournament in addition to the classical format, with Iran's Mehdi Ghulami emerging as the overall best player. Read this article. Photo & Article by Niklesh Jain 

Quoc Hy Nguyen wins Odisha Open 2024, Pa Iniyan third

25/12/2024 -

FM Quoc Hy Nguyen (VIE) and GM Alexei Fedorov scored an unbeaten 8/10 each at Odisha Open 2024 Category A. Quoc won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Alexei was placed second. Their seventh round battle against each other ended in a draw. Five players - GM Pa Iniyan, GM Deepan Chakkravarthy, IM Shahil Dey, IM Ameya Audi and IM Srihari L scored 7.5/10 each. They secured third to seventh place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the festival was ₹4000000, ₹2500000 for Category A. The top three prizes were ₹550000, ₹350000 and ₹200000 along with a trophy each. The eight-day ten-round Swiss league rating tournament was organized by All Odisha Chess Association in association with SOA University at SOA University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 15th to 22nd December. Photo: All Odisha Chess Association

New: The Endgame Academy Vol.1: Checkmate & pawn endgames by Dr. Karsten Mueller

25/12/2024 -

Endgame theory forms the basis of chess. You understand this all too well when you reach a theoretically won endgame but must settle for a draw, as you lack the necessary know-how to win. Misfortunes of this kind can only be counteracted by developing a solid endgame technique, and this course by German grandmaster and endgame expert Dr. Karsten Müller lays those foundations. In this new Fritztrainer, improve your knowledge in the endgame by the expert. Grab this new Fritztrainer if you have not got it yet. Now you can study chess on any device either via streaming or on ChessBase Book. Photo: ChessBase

Nitish Belurkar clear first at 20th Shri Maheshwaranand Saraswati Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2024

24/12/2024 -

IM Nitish Belurkar scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 20th Shri Maheshwaranand Saraswati Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field. FM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi, FM Suyog Wagh and Nameet Chavan scored 8/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place according to tie-breaks. Nitish drew with the eventual runner-up, Aakash in Round 7. The total prize fund was ₹300000. The top three prizes were ₹75000 + trophy, ₹50000 + trophy and ₹25000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine-round Swiss league rapid rating tournament was organized by Buddhibal Kreeda Trust at Ashwamedh hall and Shree Ganesh Sabhagruh, in Pune, Maharashtra on 1st December. This is Nitish's fourth tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Prakash Kunte

Remote Engine in ChessBase 18: Power Everywhere

24/12/2024 -

A remote engine does not run on your computer but in a data center. Here you’ll learn why the new remote engine is a smart addition to our proven cloud engines. How to run a remote engine without spending ducats? Why did our Helsinki machines give us quite a scare before the autumn discount day? And how did Fritz wreck a server rack? Check out the details and decide whether you can afford not to have the program. ChessBase 18 and Mega Database 2025 are available now on our shop. Upgrade from previous version is also available. Buy now if you haven't yet. Photo: ChessBase

Coach Gajewski shares insights on Gukesh's World Championship victory

23/12/2024 -

Gukesh made history by becoming the World Chess Champion at the age of 18 years. Grzegorz Gajewski is the man behind India's youngest chess champion who has been training Gukesh for the past two years. In this in-depth interview with Sagar Shah, Gajewski reveals the story behind forming Team Gukesh - how every member was carefully chosen, the strategies they employed, and their collaborative effort that led to this historic win. He also sheds light on Gukesh's mental resilience, crucial role played by his parents and an insightful analysis of the games. Read the article to know what Gukesh's coach had to say about their World Championship journey. Photo: Anastasiya Balakhontseva

Vishy Anand does a Q&A in a Reddit Ask Me Anything

23/12/2024 -

When it comes to the world chess champions whose non-chess side one wants to see and learn more - Vishy Anand's name is the first that comes to mind. So naturally, a Reddit AMA (Ask me Anything) is something one cannot afford to miss. Almost anything the maestro says is indubitably worth a read. Anand shares everything from how his favorite food after he won a tough match to how he felt after losing the world championship to Magnus Carlsen. The one who inspired the nation and beyond, answers questions by people from all over the world, North East India and Slovenia are some of the places he would love to visit sometime. Do checkout this interesting Q&A session with the one and only. Photo: r/ChessIndia

Adhiban convincingly clinches Tashkent International Chess Festival 2024 Masters

23/12/2024 -

GM B Adhiban scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win Tashkent International Chess Festival 2024 Masters (≥2100). He finished a half point ahead of the rest. GM Timur Gareyev secured second place scoring 7/9. Azamat Utagaliyev (KAZ) edged past three more players on tie-breaks to finish third 6/9. The total prize fund was UZS 300000000 (approx. ₹1977000). The top three prizes were UZS 1000000000 (approx. ₹659000), UZS 50000000 (approx. ₹329500) and UZS 25000000 (approx. ₹164750) along with a trophy each. The seven-day nine-round Swiss league rating tournament was organized by Sky Chess and Uzbekistan Chess Federation in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 16th to 22nd December. This is Adhiban's first tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Saji Mathew

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 Kicks Off with Carlsen, Anand and Gukesh

22/12/2024 -

Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour will begin in February 2025. The 18th world champion will join the lineup with two predecessor world champions - Magnus Carlsen and Vishy Anand. The first event of the season will take place from 7th to 14th February. The remaining confirmed players are - Fabiano Caruana (USA), Hikaru Nakamura (USA), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), Alireza Firouzja (FRA), Levon Aronian (USA) and Vincent Keymer (GER). The last spot will be determined by open online qualifier which will be held on chess.com on 4th and 5th January. Check the Press Release for more details. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Freestyle Chess

​Interview with the Chief Arbiter of the World Chess Championship Abd Hamid Abd Majid ​ ​ ​

22/12/2024 -

Abd Hamid Abd Majid is a very well-known name in the chess fraternity. He has dedicated over 30 years to the art of arbitration. From his early days officiating Malaysia vs. Singapore challenge matches to presiding over the most prestigious World Championship, Hamid has always prioritized fairness and professionalism. He is the first Malaysian to officiate at the World Chess Championship. In this exclusive interview with Junior Tay, he shares the joys and challenges of being an arbiter, the importance of staying composed, and why he believes he was chosen for this critical role. Photo: WFM Yip Fong Ling

Nubairshah Shaikh wins 2nd Jaffna Open 2024, Prajwal P Shet third

22/12/2024 -

IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh and Sivathanujan S scored 9/10 at 2nd Jaffna International Chess Championship 2024. Nubairshah won the tournament as he defeated Sivathanujan in the seventh round. Thus, he finished second. Six players - Dr. Prajwal P Shet, IM P Konguvel, Senarathne A A H M B (SRI), Bandara Dhanushka (SRI), Samrat Ghorai and Santanu Borpatra Gohain (SRI) scored 6/8 each. They secured third to eighth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was LKR 2.4 Million. The top three prizes were LKR 200000, 150000 and 100000 along with a trophy and a medal each. Priyanshu Barua and Prawin K are the remaining two Indians to make a top ten finish, scoring 8/10 each. They were placed ninth and tenth respectively.  This is Nubairshah's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Jaffna District Chess Association

Cocoro Matsumara convincingly clinches Kyoto Gion Open 3

21/12/2024 -

Mayur Gondhalekar and his good friend, Sheldon Donaldson regularly keeps us updated about the Japan chess scene. Sheldon writes a blog about his experience playing at Kyoto Gion Open 3. This tournament takes place only once in every three years. 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 Kyoto, Japan. Did he manage to achieve his goal of scoring 3.5/6? CM Cocoro Matsumara (JPN) won the tournament scoring 5.5/6. IM Julien Song (FRA) secured place 5/6. IM Shinya Kojima (JPN) finished third 4.5/6. Photos: Sheldon Donaldson

Chess is Coming to the Esports World Cup 2025

21/12/2024 -

The greatest chess player of all time, Magnus Carlsen has been announced as the Global Ambassador of Esports World Cup Chess. World's top online chess players will compete in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a $1.5 million dollar prize pool. It will take place from 31st July to 3rd August 2025. Time control will be 10 minutes with no increments. Twelve players hoping to compete at the EWC will qualify through the Champions Chess Tour, which will host two online tour events in February and May of 2025. A final Last Chance Qualifier will take place in Riyadh to select the final four competitors. That competition will be open to amateur and professional players alike! Photo: Official site

Odisha Open R8: Alexei emerges sole leader, Deepan and Vignesh Advaith in pursuit

21/12/2024 -

GM Alexei Fedorov defeated one of his coleaders, IM Neelash Saha to gain sole lead 7/8 at Odisha Open 2024 Category A. Neelash could not get out of the gate as he misplayed in the opening. GM Deepan Chakkravarthy defeated IM Semetei Tologon Tegin (KGZ) to move his score 6.5/8. IM Sambit Panda misplayed in a winning position against Vignesh Advaith Vemula. The teenager snatched a win from the jaws of defeat. He is also at 6.5/8. FM Quoc Hy Nguyen (VIE) drew with GM Cristhian Camilo Rios Gomez (COL) to stay in the hunt 6.5/8. Deepan will face Alexei in the penultimate round and Vignesh will battle against Quoc. Round 9 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

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