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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.

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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

Siddhanth Poonja dominates 21st BRDCA Rapid Rating Open 2025

09/09/2025 -

Siddhanth Poonja scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 21st BRDCA Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Sailesh R, FM Rohit S and IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam scored 8/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Siddhanth defeated the eventual second runner-up, Rohit in the seventh round and drew against the runner-up, Sailesh in the final round. The total prize fund was ₹250000. The top three prizes were ₹30000, ₹25000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by BRDCA at Sri Manjunatha Swamy Kalyanamantapa, Hosakote in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 15th August 2025. This is Siddhanth's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: BRDCA

Paras Dilip Bhoir decimates 1st Runwal Rapid Rating Open 2025

09/09/2025 -

Paras Dilip Bhoir scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 1st Runwal Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Seven players - IM Srijit Paul, GM Laxman R R, IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni, FM Vedant Panesar, Arnav Kherdekar, Pushkar Dere and FM Ritvik Krishnan scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed second to eighth respectively according to tie-breaks. Paras defeated the eventual runner-up, Srijit in the penultimate round. The total prize fund was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹30000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Aryan Institute of Chess Excellence at Runwal Garden in Dombvli, Maharashtra on 15th August 2025. This is Paras' third overall, second rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Ravindra Potawad

Grand Swiss 2025 R5: Arjun Erigaisi outwits Nikita Vitiugov

09/09/2025 -

The fifth round of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 is the most eventful one so far. GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) defeated GM Richard Rapport (HUN) to maintain his sole lead 4.5/5. World no.4, GM R Praggnanandhaa and World Champion, GM D Gukesh suffered losses against Germany no.2, GM Matthias Bluebaum and World's youngest GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) respectively. Praggnanandhaa misplayed in a minor piece endgame for the second consecutive round. Gukesh played uncharacteristic chess, took risk early on, managed to get back in the game, only to simplify at the wrong moment in the endgame. World no.5, GM Arjun Erigaisi scored a fine victory against GM Nikita Vitiugov (ENG). GM Nihal Sarin and World Junior champion, GM Pranav Venkatesh also scored a win each to move to 3.5/5. Round 6 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Prajwal Bhat

Rahul Srivasthav P clear first at 12th Annual Washington International 2025

08/09/2025 -

GM Rahul Srivasthav P scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 12th Annual Washington International 2025 Championship (≥2200 or USCF 2000). He finished a half point ahead of the competition. GM Jianchao Zhou (USA) and GM Andrew Tang (USA) scored 7/9 each. They shared second place. The total prize fund was US$ 43650, $25000 in the Championship section. The top three prizes were $7000, $3500 and $1750 each. The five-day nine round Rating Open Championship (≥2000 or USCF ≥2200) tournament was organized by FA Mike Regan at Rockville Hilton in Rockville, Maryland, USA from 9th to 13th August 2025. This is Rahul's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Apart from Rahul, IM Ilamaparthi A R is the only other Indian to make top ten finish. He is the highest non-GM finisher, shared fourth place scoring 6.5/9 and remained undefeated. Photo: Michael Regan / Maryland Chess Association

Grand Swiss: Divya Deshmukh scores her first win against Africa no.1 - Bassem Amin

08/09/2025 -

GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) drew against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) to maintain his sole lead at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. GM R Praggnanandhaa and GM Vidit Gujrathi missed winning chances in the endgame against GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) and GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (UKR) respectively. The World Champion, GM D Gukesh played a solid draw against GM Arjun Erigaisi. GM Divya Deshmukh scored her first win of the event against the Africa no.1, Dr. GM Bassem Amin (EGY). In the Women's event, IM Dinara Wagner (GER) held GM R Vaishali to a draw. GM Kateryna Lagno defeated IM Yuxin Song (CHN) to join the lead with Vaishali at 3.5/4 each. They will inevitably clash in the fifth round. It starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Aditya Mittal wins Almaty Region Open Qonaev Cup 2025 Masters with a 2689 performance

07/09/2025 -

GM Aditya Mittal and GM Aleksey Grebnev scored an unbeaten 6.5/9 each at Almaty Region Open Qonaev Cup Masters 2025. Aditya won the tournament due to better tie-break score, Grebnev was placed second. Ten players scored 6/9 each. Out of them, GM Bassem Amin (EGY) was adjudged third. The total prize fund was US$ 100000, $78000 in Masters. The top three prizes were $18000, $14000 and $10000 along with a trophy each. The nine-day nine round rating tournament was organized by Kazakhstan Chess Federation in Almaty, Kazakhstan from 4th to 12th August 2025. This is Aditya's third triumph in Kazakhstan since 2023. IM S Rohith Krishna and IM Ayush Sharma earned their final GM-norm at this event. Thus, Rohith became India's 89th Grandmaster. Photo: Dastan Kapayev

New: David Navara: Your Calculation Compass: Know When to Calculate

07/09/2025 -

In this video course, Grandmaster David Navara teaches when deep calculation is truly necessary and when simple, solid moves are more effective. Through examples from top-level games, he explains how to recognize critical positions, avoid overcalculating, and use candidate moves and hidden tactics wisely. The course is designed to improve decision-making and efficiency, making it ideal for tournament players aiming to strengthen their practical skills. Apart from downloading files and installing on your computer, you can also stream videos and study from ChessBase books on any device - computer, smartphone, tablets etc. Get this FritzTrainer and increase your calculation power by learning from the absolute gentleman of the game, GM David Navara. Photo: ChessBase

Grand Swiss: Praggnanandhaa scores an exhilarating win against Gelfand

07/09/2025 -

GM Boris Gelfand is FIDE World Cup 2009 winner and a former World Championship Challenger. It is not a surprise that the legend is still at the very top of his game. The World no.4, GM R Praggnanandhaa played beautiful chess to beat the maestro. GM Arjun Erigaisi defeated GM Anton Demchenko (SLO) after the latter misplayed in the endgame. GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP) imploded against the World Champion, GM D Gukesh. All three of them, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun are at 2.5/3 each. GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) is the sole player in the Open to score a hat-trick. In the Women, the defending champion, GM R Vaishali won against IM Olga Badelka (AUT) to maintain her perfect score 3/3. Round 4 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Kshatriya Nitin Vekhande convincingly clinches 49th Ciutat de Badalona Open 2025, Subhayan Kundu third

06/09/2025 -

FM Kshatriya Nitin Vekhande scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 49th Ciutat de Badalona Open Group A (≥1950) 2025. GM Dylan Isidro Berdayes Ason (CUB) scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. Four players - IM Subhayan Kundu, FM Kaivalya Sandip Nagare, FM Pablo Fernandez Borrego (ESP) and Bivor Adak scored 6.5/9 each. Kshatriya drew with the eventual runner-up, Dylan in the final round to become a clear champion. The top three prizes were €1000, €700 and €400 along with a trophy each respectively. The nine-day nine-round Rating Group A (≥1950) was  organized by Club d'Escacs Cor de Marina from 3rd to 11th August 2025 at Centre Cultural El Carme in Badalona (Barcelona), Spain. This is Kshatriya's fourth overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Badalona foto events

Arun Kataria prevails at 30th Augsburg Peace Festival Rating Open 2025

06/09/2025 -

FM Arun Kataria scored an unbeaten 6/7 to win 30th Augsburg Peace Festival Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. FM Anton Bilchinski (GER), Markus Böhme (GER) and Thomas Lang (GER) scored 5.5/7 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively. The top three prizes were €650, €450 and €350 each. The four-day seven round Rating Open A tournament was organized by Frank Eckhardt at Bürgersaal Stadtbergen in Augsburg, Germany from 7th to 10th August 2025. This is Arun's fifth overall, fourth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Schachklub Kriegshaber

Grand Swiss: Nihal channels his inner Tal

06/09/2025 -

Nihal Sarin played arguably the most exciting game of the second round of FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. He channeled his inner Tal when he sacrificed an exchanged followed by his knight simply based on his instinct. It goes without saying that he was right. The World Champion, D Gukesh had some chances against Turkiye's youngest GM, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. However, the game ended in a draw. Abhimanyu Puranik drew against the defending champion, Vidit Gujrathi. R Praggnanandhaa won against Ivan Zemlyanskii as the latter made a simple tactical error. Arjun Erigaisi won a wild battle against Haik Martirosyan (ARM). Among the women, IM Vantika Agrawal missed good chances in the endgame against the two-time World Blitz Women champion, GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ). The defending champion among the Women, GM R Vaishali crushed IM Eline Roebers (NED) in 22 moves. Round 3 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

14 teams ready to clash as Kerala Premier Chess League 2025 starts tomorrow

05/09/2025 -

The Kerala Premier Chess League (KPCL) 2025 starts tomorrow in Thiruvananthapuram! A total of 14 teams are ready to battle it out in India's highest prize money chess league. With a prize fund of Rs. 25 lakh, the winning team will take home Rs. 10 lakh. Each team will consist of 20 players with 5 reserve players. The games will be played in a 15+5 time control with Swiss rounds on Day 1 and knockouts on Day 2. The lineup includes 3 Grandmasters and 6 International Masters. We will be bringing you the live broadcast of the event. Check out the article for more details. Photo: KPCL brochure

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