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Prague Masters 2025 R6: Praggnanandhaa douses fire after Shankland sets the board ablaze

04/03/2025 -

All five games in the Masters section of the 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 ended in draws. Sam Shankland (USA) made an interesting knight sacrifice to break R Praggnanandhaa's kingside wide open. Praggnanandhaa found some precise defense to hold a draw. Shankland, who is having a tough tournament, gave his all to score his second win of the event. Aravindh Chithambaram had a relatively quiet draw against Liem Quang Le (VIE). Both Aravindh and Praggnanandhaa continue to lead 4/6, staying a full point ahead of the pursuers - Liem, Vincent Keymer (GER), Anish Giri (NED) and Wei Yi (CHN). The seventh round for Masters, Challengers, Futures, and Karel Janeček Open starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photos: 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

Pranesh M dominates 8th Cappelle la Grande Rapid Open 2025, Karthik Venkataraman second

04/03/2025 -

GM Pranesh M scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 8th Cappelle la Grande Rapid Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. GM Karthik Venkataraman scored sole 7.5/9 to secure second place. Eleven players scored 7/9 each. GM Anthony Wirig (FRA) secured third place out of them. GM Raja Rithvik R and IM Arghyadip Das also scored 7/9 each. They werep placed at fifth and ninth place respectively. The total prize fund was €5000. First prize was €1000. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by L'Echiquier Cappellois at Palais des Arts et des Loisirs in Cappelle la Grande, France on 22nd February 2025. Photo: L'Echiquier Cappellois

Karel Janeček Open R5: Raja Rithvik R in a six-pack lead

04/03/2025 -

GM Raja Rithvik R defeated IM Jan Vykouk (CZE) to join the lead at Karel Janeček Open part of 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025. In an already difficult endgame, Vykouk blundered. It cost him a knight and eventually the game. Five more players are also in the lead. They are - GM Evgenios Ioannidis (GRE), GM Thomas Beerdsen (NED), GM Jergus Pechac (SVK), IM Yuanhe Zhao (CHN), IM Iulian Sofronie (ROU). Currently, WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet (CAN) is the top scorer among female participants. The sixth round for Masters, Challengers, Futures and  Open starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

World Junior R5-6: Pranav Venkatesh gains sole lead

03/03/2025 -

GM Pranav Venkatesh defeated GM Emin Ohanyan (ARM) in Round 6 to emerge sole leader 5.5/6. In the previous round, he drew with his coleader - Yihan Meng (CHN). Three players are trailing Pranav by a half point. IM Aswath S is the only Indian at 4.5/6, in a pack of 17 players. Among the Girls, WFM Kesaria Mgeladze (GEO), WFM Mariya Yakimova, WIM Ayan Allahverdiyeva (AZE) and WIM Umida Omonova (UZB) are sharing the lead 5/6 each. Five players are in pursuit at 4.5/6 each. WGM Rakshitta Ravi is one of them. Round 7 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST.

Prague Masters 2025 R5: Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh draw their game, both remain coleaders

02/03/2025 -

R Praggnanandhaa drew with Aravindh Chithambaram in Round 5 of the 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Masters. Both of them maintain their lead 3.5/5. It was a well contested battle where neither player gave an inch to their opponent. Wei Yi (CHN) registered his second consecutive win of the event. His victory was the solitary one of the round against Sam Shankland (USA). Vincent Keymer (GER) missed a good opportunity against Liem Quang Le (VIE). Keymer, Anish Giri (NED), Liem and Wei are at a full point behind the leaders at a 50% score 2.5/5. A total of 17 players are trailing the leaders in Karel Janeček Open at 3.5/5 each. Among them, there are two Indians - GM Raja Rithvik R and IM Arghyadip Das. The sixth round for Masters, Challengers and Futures, and Round 4 Open starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Aleksandra Goryachkina wins Monaco GP 2025, Humpy second

02/03/2025 -

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina drew with IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) in the final round to win FIDE Monaco GP 2025. GM Koneru Humpy defeated IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ). Goryachkina, Humpy and Batkhuyag, all three ended up having the same score 5.5/9 each. Goryachkina became champion due to better tie-break scores, Humpy secured second place and Batkhuyag third. Humpy's sole loss of the event was against the eventual champion, Goryachkina in the sixth round. The fourth leg of the GP will take place in Cyprus from 14th to 25th March 2025. Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

March 2025 FIDE Rating list: World Champion D Gukesh becomes World no.3, Praggnanandhaa World no.8

02/03/2025 -

The 18th World Champion, D Gukesh has climbed up to World no.3 in the March 2025 FIDE Rating list. It is his career high ranking. R Praggnanandhaa's fantastic performance at the 87th Tata Steel Masters 2025 moved him up by six places to number eight from 14. Aravindh Chithambaram and Leon Luke Mendonca gained 1.5 Elo rating points each at Bundesliga and in Wijk aan Zee. Pentala Harikrishna gained 8.6 Elo rating points at the Wimbledon of chess to return to 2700+ club. Seven Indians are currently in top 30 which is the highest ever. Koneru Humpy increased her rating by 4.6 points at FIDE Monaco GP. Vaishali R added 8.1 at Tata Steel Challengers to regain India no.2 spot. Photo: ECCC

Prague Masters 2025 R4: Praggnanandhaa prevails Keymer, joins the lead with Aravindh

02/03/2025 -

Aravindh Chithambaram had a solid draw with Sam Shankland (USA) in the fourth round of the 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Masters. He moved to 4/5. R Praggnanandhaa managed to get back in the game after a slightly shaky start in the opening. Vincent Keymer (GER) could not manage to capitalize on his chances and suffered his second defeat of the event. This win allowed Praggnanandhaa to join the lead with Aravindh. They both will face each other in the fifth round. IM Divya Deshmukh drew with GM Qun Ma (CHN) in the Challengers. GM Raja Rithvik R scored a hat-trick of wins by defeating FM Simon Rybka (SVK). The fifth round for Masters, Challengers and Futures, and Round 4 Open starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

World Junior R3-4: Pranav and Sarayu in the lead

01/03/2025 -

GM Pranav Venkatesh and Yihan Meng (CHN) are the coleaders at FIDE World Junior Open 2025. Pranav defeated FM Raem Sherman (ISR) to score his fourth consecutive win. IM Gomez Manuel Campos (COL) lost to Yihan Meng (CHN) and the latter joined the lead with Pranav 4/4. In the Girls section, nine of them are at 3.5/4. WIM Sarayu Velpula is the sole Indian among them. WGM Rakshitta Ravi and WGM Savitha Shri B are at 2.5/4 each. Pranav inevitably clash with his coleader Yihan in the fifth round. Sarayu is up against WIM Yelyzaveta Hrebenshchykova (UKR). Round 5 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Official site

Indian Chess Masters and Indian Chess Masters for the Blind set to happen in Mumbai from 3rd-4th March

01/03/2025 -

After the online qualifiers were held in early January, the Indian Chess Masters and Indian Chess Masters for the Blind finals are set to take place on 3rd-4th march! This event will take place at the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai. There are 16 men and 16 women who have qualified to the finals - who will emerge as the Champion? In this article, you will get to know all the information about this event. 

Prague Masters 2025 R3: Amazing Aravindh outwits Wei, now World no.16, Praggnanandhaa World no.7

01/03/2025 -

Aravindh Chithambaram continues his terrific form at 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Masters. Once again, he played fantastic chess to beat Wei Yi (CHN). Aravindh is now World no.16 with a live rating of 2740.1. He has also taken an early sole lead 2.5/3. It is not every day when Wei loses two out of the first three games in a strong super tournament like this. R Praggnanandhaa scored his first win of the event against Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE). The Czech Republic no.2 went for an incorrect break in the middlegame and paid a heavy price for it. GM Sasikiran Krishnan and GM Raja Rithvik R won their second consecutive games respectively. The fourth round for Masters, Challengers and Futures, and Round 3 Open starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Shivjayanti Chess Tournament in Nashik: A Celebration of Tradition and Strategy

28/02/2025 -

The Shivjayanti Chess Tournament in Nashik was a perfect mix of tradition and strategy. It brought chess lovers together to celebrate both the game and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The blitz tournament was organized by Genius Chess Academy at City Centre Mall, Nashik. There were a total of 256 participants battling it out in exciting games. Apart from that, there were fun history quizzes as well that added to the charm. With such initiatives, Nashik is becoming a great place for chess enthusiasts to learn and grow. Check out the full report. Photo: Saras Joshi

Prague Masters 2025 R2: Aravindh Chithambaram astonishes the in-form Vincent Keymer

28/02/2025 -

Vincent Keymer (GER) was in terrific form since his triumph at Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1. He started Prague Chess Festival 2025 Masters with a victory. However, in the second round, Aravindh Chithambaram managed to stop his momentum. In a wild game, the India no.5 and World no.21 prevailed by playing fantastic chess. He found some great resources. Ediz Gurel (TUR) held R Praggnanandhaa to a solid draw. IM Divya Deshmukh bounced back well with a victory over IM Richard Stalmach (CZE). In Karel Janeček Open, GM Sasikiran Krishnan and GM Raja Rithvik R made a winning start. The third round for Masters, Challengers and Futures, and Round 2 Open starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Grand Chess Tour 2025: Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa named full tour participants for the second year in-a-row

27/02/2025 -

Grand Chess Tour 2025 season full tour participants names have been revealed. Out of the nine full tour participants, there are two Indians - D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa. The remaining seven are - Alireza Firouzja (FRA), GCT 2022 and 2024 winner, Fabiano Caruana (USA), World no.2 and GCT 2023 winner, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA), World Blitz 2021 champion, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), World Rapid 2021 champion, Wesley So (USA), GCT 2021 winner, Levon Aronian (USA), only two-time World Cup winner in history and Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL), World Cup 2021 winner. For the second consecutive year, Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa have been named as full tour participants. However, the World no.4, Arjun Erigaisi's name is shockingly missing from the list. Photo: Grand Chess Tour

The Story of Odisha's inspiring brothers checkmating all the challenges and barriers!

27/02/2025 -

Have you come across a situation where you feel low and give up without giving a second thought to the purpose that motivated you to begin? Surely, many times! Tina Popli shares the story of two brothers, Prachurya and Soundarya, from Odisha, who are visually impaired and have overcome all the barriers despite the challenges that came their way! Photo: Kesha Ranjan Pradhan

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