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Vadim Cernov triumphs at Prague International Chess Festival 2025 J Fischer Random Open

26/03/2025 -

IM Vadim Cernov (ROU) scored an unbeaten 6/7 to win Prague International Chess Festival 2025 J Fischer Random Open. The top seed, Vadim, finished a half point ahead of the rest. 12-year-old Daniel Feigin (KOR) and 15-year-old FM Gustas Morkunas (LTU) scored 5.5/7 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. Vadim drew with both eventual runners-up, Daniel and Gustas in the last two rounds respectively. The top three prizes were CZK 1000, 7000 and 500 each. Check out interview with the champion and a few exciting games. 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

Josefine Heinemann clear first at 56th International Women's Tournament, Bhakti Kulkarni second

26/03/2025 -

WGM Josefine Heinemann (GER) scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win 56th International Women's GM Tournament 2025. Josefine finished a full point ahead of the runner-up. IM Bhakti Kulkarni secured second place scoring sole 6/9. WIM Jovana Srdanovic (SRB) was placed third 5.5/9. Josefine drew with both Bhakti and Jovana. The nine-day nine round Round-Robin Rating tournament was organized by Šahovski savez Beograda (Chess Federation of Belgrade)  in Beograd, Serbia from 1st to 9th March 2025. Photo: Official site

Anna Muzychuk wins Nicosia GP, Harika Dronavalli third

25/03/2025 -

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew with GM Harika Dronavalli to win FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. In the post-game interview, she mentioned that two results needed to go her way. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) needed to draw with GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) and IM Olga Badelka (AUT) also had to have a draw against IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), for tie-breaks to go in her favor. It did. Jiner secured second place and Harika third. Both Anna and Jiner finished a full point ahead of the rest. GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is currently at the top of the GP standings with 308.34 points. Anna climbed to the third spot with 189.17 points after winning this event. She still has one more tournament to go in May. The total prize fund was €80000. The top three prizes were €18000, €13000 and €10500 along with a trophy and medal each. The next leg is in Pune from 13th to 23rd April. Photo: FIDE

Iniyan Pa becomes National Rapid 2025 Champion

24/03/2025 -

GM Iniyan Pa (TN), GM Pranesh M (TN), GM P Shyam Nikhil (TN) and GM Diptayan Ghosh scored 9/11 each at National Rapid Championship 2025. Iniyan won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively. Only Iniyan remained undefeated among them. Top 17 finishers are only GMs and IMs. That certainly speaks volumes about the strength of the event. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹75000, ₹60000 and ₹50000 along with a trophy each. The three-day rapid rating tournament was organized by Ranchi District Chess Association from 20th to 22nd March 2025 at Sarala Birla University in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This is Iniyan's fourth tournament triumph of the year.

Kingdom of Chess Wins off the chessboard, Best startup at TiECON

24/03/2025 -

Kingdom of Chess, founded by Arena GrandMaster Chandrajeet Rajawat, is making waves in the world of chess education! With a presence in over 30 countries and more than 10,000 students trained, they have redefined chess learning with tech-driven coaching and expert trainers. Their students have shined on national and international stages, winning titles and medals for India. Recently, they clinched the Best Startup Pitching Award at TiECON Udaipur 2025. They outshined 100 other startups, including those from Shark Tank India! Read the full story to see how they are shaping future champions. Photo: Kingdom of Chess

Jordanian Swedish Chess Academy invites you to Jönköping Chess Festival 2025

24/03/2025 -

Jordanian Swedish Chess Academy invites you to Jönköping Chess Festival 2025. The festival has a total of seven tournaments -Classical, Classical Under-1700, Rapid Rating Open, Rapid Rating Women, Blitz Rating Open, Amateur and Family Tournament. The top three prizes in the Classical rating open tournament is SEK 11000 + cup + medal, 6000 + medal and 4000 + medal each. The festival will take place at Elite Stora Hotellet in Jönköping, Sweden. Classical rating tournament will take place from 25th July to 1st August 2025. IM Srinath Rao S V won the Classical rating open last year. The next one could be you. Check out the article to find out all details about the tournament. Photo: Tournament circular

Anna Muzychuk or Jiner Zhu - Who will win Nicosia GP?

24/03/2025 -

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) won a virtually must-win game against GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) in the penultimate round of FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. Anna thought she surprised her opponent with 1.d4 but it was the German who surprised her by playing the Queen's Gambit Accepted variation. Later she defended a pawn incorrectly and paid a heavy price. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) drew against IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE). Now both Jiner and Anna are at 5.5/8 each. They are followed by GM Harika Dronavalli, GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina at 4.5/8 each. Round 9 starts today from 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE

Your chance to play in the 3rd Anniversary Phoenix ChessBase India Chess Club FIDE Rapid Rating tournament 2025 on 5th April, Mumbai!

23/03/2025 -

On 19th March 2025, the ChessBase India Chess Club at Phoenix Marketcity Mall completed 3 years! There were so many amazing events which took place in the Chess Club over the last 3 years. Celebrating the anniversary, we are holding the 3rd Anniversary Phoenix ChessBase India Chess Club FIDE Rapid Rating Chess tournament 2025 on 5th April! This will be a FIDE Rating tournament taking place at the 1st floor of Dublin Square, Phoenix Marketcity Mall Mumbai, Kurla. There is a total prize fund of Rs. 3 Lakhs, with an entry fee of just Rs. 600! Read all about the event and how to register in the article below.

Jakub Vaculik victorious at Prague International Chess Festival 2025 I Basque Open

23/03/2025 -

Jakub Vaculik (CZE) scored 11.5/14 to win Prague International Chess Festival 2025 I Basque Open. The top seed, Jakub, finished a full point ahead of the competition. CM Looi Xin Hao (MAS) secured second place scoring 10.5/14. Kevin Narr (GER) finished third, scoring 10/14. Jakub suffered only two losses - one against Looi in Round 2 and the other one against Sahib Hasanzada (AZE) in the penultimate round. Both matches were drawn, as the eventual champion managed to win the other game. Eight-year-old Michael Mortensen (NOR) scored an impressive 9.5/14 to finish fourth. The top three prizes were CZK 1000, 7000 and 500 each. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

New: ChessBase Magazine #224

23/03/2025 -

Tata Steel 2025: Analyses by the tournament winners, Praggnanandhaa and Nguyen, as well as Abdusattorov, Giri, Harikrishna, L'Ami, Mendonca, Suleymanli, Van Foreest and Yakubboev + video review by Blohberger - Chess legend Viktor Kortschnoj: exclusive collection of 24 annotated games from 1960 to 2006 plus video by David Navara – Modern Petroff: Balázs Csonka sheds light on the Damiano Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4!? - “The fortress - rien ne va plus!”: Dorian Rogozenco shows a classic fortress motif with queen + pawn against rook + pawn - The cheeky queen: Surya Ganguly shows in the video that 4.Qxd4 is also an option against the Sicilian with 2...e6! and much more. Photo: ChessBase

Nicosia GP Round 7: Jiner Zhu regains sole lead

23/03/2025 -

The seventh round of FIDE Nicosia GP 2025 witnessed a big shake up in the leaderboard. GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) suffered a shocking loss against IM Olga Badelka (AUT). Anna made a positional mistake in the middlegame from which she could not recover. It was her first loss of the event and her opponent's first win. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) defeated IM Divya Deshmukh to regain her sole lead 5/7. Anna is now trailing by a half point at 4.5/7. GM Harika Dronavalli drew with GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR). Both are at 4/7 each with GM Aleksandra Goryachkina who made a quick 11-move draw against GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER). Round 8 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Harikrishna’s journey from becoming a Junior Champion to training the World Champions

22/03/2025 -

We see the player, but we rarely see the person. Behind the celebration of ratings and titles, there is a story of quiet moments. Pentala Harikrishna's story is one of those. Top 10 player, Olympiad winner, Team Championships, second of current World Champions, Hari’s resume is so impressive! Recently, Sagar Shah sat down with him in Prague to discover the person behind a great player. Hari opened up about his achievements, wife Nadezda, challenges, downfalls and many more. This raw, honest conversation will reveal the human side of a grandmaster.

Aravindh Chithambaram named as one of the wild cards for Grand Chess Tour 2025: Superbet Rapid and Blitz

22/03/2025 -

GM Aravindh Chithambaram has been named as one of the wild cards for the upcoming Grand Chess Tour: Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2025. The newly crowned Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Masters champion joins GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO), former World Champion - GM Veselin Topalov (BUL), GM Bogdan-Daniel Deac (ROU) and GM David Gavrilescu (ROU) at Superbet Rapid and Blitz 2025. The remaining participants of the event are: GM Alireza Firouzja (FRA), GM Levon Aronian (USA), GM R Praggnanandhaa, GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) and GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA). Once again, the World no.5, Arjun Erigaisi's name is surprisingly missing from the list. Superbet Rapid and Blitz will take place from 24th April to 1st May 2025. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Nicosia GP Round 6: Harika bounces back, Anna Muzychuk maintains her sole lead

22/03/2025 -

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew with GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) to maintain her sole lead after the sixth round of FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. GM Harika Dronavalli bounced back with a victory over GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), after suffering a loss in the previous round. Harika could have probably finished things much earlier if she had seized her opportunity in the middlegame. In a relatively balanced rook vs bishop and knight with two pawns each endgame, the Georgian trapped her rook which cost her the full point. IM Divya Deshmukh forced a perpetual check to draw with IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE). Round 7 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Honoring a Legend: The 2nd PM Mohanty Invitational Rapid Tournament

22/03/2025 -

The 2nd PM Mohanty Invitational Rapid Tournament took place on March 16, 2025, at KT Global School. It was held in honor of Shri Pabitra Mohan Mohanty, a chess legend from Odisha. The event was organized by the Odisha Chess Players Welfare Trust in which fifty talented young players participated. The total prize fund for the event was Rs. 1,00,000. Goa’s Nitish emerged as the champion, claiming the Rs. 30,000 first prize. More than just a tournament, the event fostered a sense of community and celebration. On the eve of the competition, players unwound with a friendly cricket match, offering a break from intense chess battles. With strong backing from KT Global School and passionate chess supporters, the tournament is poised for even greater success. They are planning to organize a FIDE-rated edition and more elite-level competitions in future. Check out the report for more details. Photos: Rakesh Kumar Jena

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