Bhakti Kulkarni best at Brno Open - IM Round Robin 2024

IM Bhakti Kulkarni scored 7/9 to win Brno Open - A IM Round Robin 2024, 13th International Chess Festival part of Czech Tour 2024. FM Jan Marn (SLO) scored 6.5/9 to secure second place. IM IO FT Petr Pisk (CZE) scored 6.5/9 to be placed third. Bhakti's sole loss of the event was against the eventual runner-up, Jan, the highest rated player in the field. The top three prizes were CZK 3000 + trophy, 2000 and 1000 each. The eight-day nine-round, round-robin rating tournament was organized by AVE Chess z.s. at Cosmopolitan Bobycentrum hotel**** in Brno, Czech Republic from 16th to 23rd November 2024. This was Bhakti's first tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Czech Tour

Boris Savchenko on the verge of winning 15th KIIT GM Open

GM Boris Savchenko defeated IM Kaustuv Kundu to increase his sole lead by a full point 8/9. He just needs a draw in the final round against GM Sayantan Das, to win 15th KIIT International Chess Festival Category A 2024. Savchenko's game seemed to be heading towards a draw when Kaustuv did not exchange his knight with his opponent's bishop at the right moment in the endgame. It ended up costing him the game. Nine players including five Indians - IM Aronyak Ghosh, IM Viani Antonio Dcunha, GM Sayantan Das, Utkal Ranjan Sahoo and GM Saptarshi Roy are at 7/9 each. Final Round 10 starts today at 9:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Swayangsu Satyakam

World Championship Game 11: Ding Liren collapses under pressure, Gukesh gains the lead

D Gukesh has gained a lead for the first time at FIDE World Championship Match 2024, presented by Google. In an intense and complex game, Gukesh held on to his nerves. While his opponent, world champion, made a one move blunder in crunch, lost a piece and resigned immediately. Gukesh now just needs to survive the next three games to become the youngest world champion in history. Ding Liren has a surmountable task of winning as early as possible in the next three games to get back in the match and quite possibly force tie-breaks. The teenager just needs to play solid for the next three games and make his opponent take some risks which can result in few more losses for the world champion. Game 12 starts tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Eng Chin An

World Championship 2024 diaries Game 9

Only four Classical games are remaining at FIDE World Championship Match 2024 presented by Google. D Gukesh opted for the Catalan opening in the ninth game. GM Sundararajan Kidambi analyzes Game 9 in detail. He also takes a look at a few interesting moments of the game. Check out the dissection by Kidambi of the ninth game and enrich your understanding of it. If you like his explanations, do mention it in the comments, so that it inspires Kidambi to share more from his fountain of knowledge. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

15th KIIT GM Open R8: Savchenko wins an 18-move miniature, regains sole lead

GM Boris Savchenko made a short work of GM Evgeniy Podolchenko in just 18 moves in Round 8 of 15th KIIT International Chess Festival 2024. Savchenko has regained sole lead 7/8. He is closely closely by followed by seven players including four Indians - IM Aronyak Ghosh, IM Kaustuv Kundu, Utkal Ranjan Sahoo and GM Sayantan Das at 6.5/8 each. Kaustuv and Aronyak drew with GM Van Huy Nguyen (VIE) and IM Viani Antonio Dcunha, Sayantan and Utkal defeated IM David Gochelashvili and Sriram Shravan respectively. Kaustuv will face Savchenko in the penultimate round. Round 9 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Swayangsu Satyakam

Qatar Masters 2024 R5: Karthikeyan Murali and Shant Sargsyan are coleaders

GM Karthikeyan Murali continues his great form at Qatar Masters 2024. He defeated GM Pouya Idani (IRI) in the fifth round to maintain his lead. GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM) won against GM Arkadij Naiditsch (BUL) to stay at the top. The coleaders, Karthikeyan and Shant will inevitably clash against each other in sixth round. The world no.4, GM Arjun Erigaisi scored a victory against GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly to maintain his pursuit 4/5. GM Raja Rithvik R outplayed GM Pranav V to also take his score 4/5. Today is the sole rest day. Round 6 starts tomorrow Monday 9th December at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Saji Mathew

Level up your game with ChessNeurons One-Month Free Membership

As the ‘Strategic Mastery Series’ continues, ChessNeurons and ChessBase India are thrilled to announce an exciting treat for all the chess enthusiasts. As the World Championship between D Gukesh and Ding Liren is going on in Singapore, it’s time to celebrate it by taking your game to the next level. This is a golden opportunity to get one-month FREE membership of ChessNeurons with all the premium features. Moreover, you can get an additional FREE month membership and also grab a seat for a masterclass which will be conducted by GM Ankit Rajpara. Don’t miss to check out the article to find out how.  

Elllobregat Open: Yahli Maintains Sole Lead with Two Rounds to Go

The Elllobregat Open Chess 2024 has reached its final and most intense stage, with only two rounds remaining to determine the champion. Israel’s GM Yahli Sokolovsky remains in the lead with 6.5 points, following a strategically played draw against top-seed GM Cristobal Henriquez Villagra in the 8th round. The tournament has already showcased thrilling battles and remarkable performances across the board. As the event nears its conclusion, players are not only competing for the prestigious title but also for coveted international norms. Over its last four editions, this tournament has produced an impressive 38 international norms, and this year promises to add more names to that legacy. Among Indian players, WIM Tejaswini G revived her chances for a WGM norm with a strong win in the 8th round.

Photos & Report by Niklesh Jain

World Championship Game 10: A solid draw

The tenth game was the most uneventful game so far at FIDE World Championship Match 2024, presented by Google. It was the shortest game in terms of duration which lasted just over 2.5 hours. However, in terms of moves it is the second-shortest game after Game 2 which lasted 23 moves. Ding Liren's strategy can be surmised as he wants to survive the Classical games and beat Gukesh in tie-breaks, as it is well-known by now that shorter time controls are not the Challenger's forte. Gukesh is happy to draw with black. He will try to push with the remaining two whites he has left and want to finish things off before the tie-breaks. Game 11 starts tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Eng Chin An

World Championship 2024 diaries Game 8

Nine games are over at FIDE World Championship Match 2024 presented by Google. Only five more to go, unless the match heads to tie-breaks, then more games will be played. The eighth game witnessed English opening and hyper modern spirit. GM Sundararajan Kidambi analyzes Game 8 in detail. He also takes a look at the moment where Gukesh refused a threefold repetition, something everyone thought the game to end in a draw at that time. Check out the dissection by Kidambi of the eighth game and enrich your understanding of it. If you like his explanations, do mention it in the comments, so that it inspires Kidambi to share more from his fountain of knowledge. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

15th KIIT GM Open R6-7: Aronyak and Kaustuv move to the top

IM Aronyak Ghosh drew with GM Boris Savchenko in Round 6 of 15th KIIT International Festival Category A 2024. He defeated GM Manik Mikulas (SVK) in the following round to join the lead 6/7, on his 21st birthday. IM Kaustuv Kundu made a great save against Vihaan Karthikeya N. In Round 7, Kaustuv scored a fantastic win over GM Jacek Stopa (POL). First he sacrificed his bishop for three pawns, later on made a nice combination. Aronyak and Kaustuv are joined by Savchenko, GM Van Huy Nguyen (VIE) and GM Evgeniy Podolchenko at 6/7 each. They are closely followed by nine players at 5.5/7 each. Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Swayangsu Satyakam

Qatar Masters 2024 R4: Karthikeyan Murali joins the six-pack lead

GM Arjun Erigaisi survived a scare against GM Pranesh M in Round 4 of Qatar Masters 2024. Pranesh had a huge opportunity to beat the World no.4. He had a substantial advantage in the middlegame. However, he could not capitalize and ended up trading queens. Only two out of top 12 games ended decisively. GM Karthikeyan Murali scored one of them. He defeated FM Reza Mahdavi (IRI) to join the lead 3.5/4. GM Andrey Esipenko, GM Arkadij Naiditsch (BUL), GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM), GM Pouya Idani (IRI) and GM Bardiya Daneshvar (IRI) are the remaining five in the leaders' pack. Round 5 starts today at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Anna Shtourman

Elllobregat Open: Yahli Defeats Ido to Claim Sole Lead

The Elllobregat Open Chess 2024 has entered its decisive phase, with players delivering intense performances in every round. Round 7 witnessed high-stakes clashes at the top boards, redefining the leaderboard as GM Yahli Sokolovsky emerged as the sole leader with a remarkable win. Top-seed GM Cristobal Henriquez Villagra also secured an impressive victory against FM Javier Habans, bringing him to 6 points and keeping him firmly in the title race. With Sokolovsky leading at 6.5 points and several players closely trailing, the battle for the championship remains wide open. Report & Photo by Niklesh Jain

Deep Sengupta wins Tata Steel Chess Festival 2024 Rapid Rating Open

GM Deep Sengupta, GM Diptayan Ghosh and IM Mayank Chakraborty scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at the Tata Steel Chess Festival 2024 All India Rapid Rating Open. Deep won the tournament on tie-breaks, Diptayan and Mayank were placed second and third respectively. Deep drew with both runners-up. The top six finishers were only GMs and IMs. The two-day nine-round rapid rating open was organized by Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal on 16th and 17th November 2024. The total prize fund was ₹300000. Top three prizes were ₹50000 + trophy, ₹30000 and ₹20000 each respectively. This was Deep's fourth tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Qatar Masters 2024 R3: Arjun Erigaisi bounces back

GM Arjun Erigaisi bounced back with an emphatic victory over IM Saidakbar Saydaliev (UZB) in Round 3 of Qatar Masters 2024. Four players - GM Andrey Esipenko, GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM), GM Arkadij Naiditsch (BUL) and GM Pouya Idani (IRI) have won all three of their games. They are followed by 14 players including seven Indians at 2.5/3. IM Goutham Krishna H had a solid draw against GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI). IM Aaditya Dhingra got himself a good position in the middlegame against GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). However, he let the advantage slip and the 44th Olympiad Gold medalist escaped with a draw. Round 4 starts today at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Anna Shtourman