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Esports World Cup: Aronian, Arjun, Firouzja and Carlsen advance to the Quarterfinals

30/07/2025 -

GM Levon Aronian (Team Reject), GM Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports), GM Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons) and GM Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) have advanced to the Quarterfinals from Group A, B, C and D respectively. Arjun defeated GM Nihal Sarin (S8UL) 2-0 and then won against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Team Vitality) 2-1 via Armageddon to secure his place in the Knockout stage. Nihal will now have to go through GM Anish Giri (Team Secret) and MVL in the Losers Brackets to earn his place in the Quarterfinals. Apart from our youtube channel, watch the live stream commentary also on Sony Liv by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and GM Harshit Raja without the seven-minute delay. Photo: Esports World Cup 2025

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

Laxman R R wins 1st Assam University Rapid Rating Open 2025

30/07/2025 -

GM Laxman R R and Rupam Mukherjee scored 8/9 each at 1st Assam University Rapid Rating Open 2025. Laxman won the tournament due to better tie-break score. He defeated the eventual runner-up, Rupam in Round 6 and also remained undefeated. Four players - Kishan Kumar, Iftikar Alom Mazumdar, Shankhadeep Maity and IM Kaustuv Kundu scored 7.5/9 each. They secured third to sixth place respectively. The top three prizes were ₹25500, ₹20500 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating tournament was organized by Aikagunya Foundation and Cachar District Chess Association at Assam University in Silchar, Assam on 1st July 2025. This is Laxman's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Anupam Bhattacharjee

19-year-old Divya Deshmukh becomes FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Champion and India's 88th Grandmaster

29/07/2025 -

IM Divya Deshmukh defeated GM Koneru Humpy 1.5-2.5 to win FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. The 19-year-old from Nagpur, Maharashtra became India's 88th Grandmaster for winning this event, making her the fourth Indian female to achieve this and 44th of the world. She has also become the youngest female ever to win this event. GM Alexandra Kosteniuk won the inaugural edition in 2021 at the age of 37 years and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina won it when she was 24. Divya is also the first non-GM player to have won this event. The top three prizes were US$ 50000, $35000 and $25000. The teenager has now won National Women, Tata Steel India Rapid Women, Asian Continental Women, double Gold at the 45th Olympiad Women among her major accolades. As she said, there is a lot more to achieve and she is hoping that this is just a start. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Ameya Audi dominates České Budějovice IM Round-Robin 2025, Apoorv Kamble third

28/07/2025 -

IM Ameya Audi scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win České Budějovice Chess Festival IM Round-Robin 2025. He finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the field. FM Nico Marakovits (AUT) secured second place scoring sole 6/9. FM Apoorv Kamble was placed third scoring 5.5/9. The top three prizes were CZK 4000, 3000 and 2000 along with a cup each. This is the second time since 2023, Ameya won an event at the festival. Last time, he won the Open event back in 2023. IM Anuj Shrivatri scored 6/9 to finish third in GM B Round-Robin. IM Stepan Hrbek (CZE) won that event scoring 7/9. FM Robert Ernst (AUT) was second 6.5/9. The top three prizes were CZK 5000, 4000 and 3000 along with a cup each. Photos: Queen Chess Club

Tie-breaks will decide the winner of FIDE Women's World Cup 2025

28/07/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy and IM Divya Deshmukh had a tepid draw in the second game of FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Finals. Neither player had any chances and draw became the obvious result. Thus, tie-breaks will determine the winner. Humpy is the reigning World Rapid Women's champion, something she has won it twice. So Divya will have to be careful in the faster time controls. GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) defeated GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) to finish third. Thus, Humpy, Divya and Zhongyi have secured their spot in the FIDE Women's Candidates 2026. Round 7/Final Tie-break games start tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time, 1:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Gerard Ayats Llobera clear first at 5th Llinars Open 2025, Kaivalya Sandip Nagare second

27/07/2025 -

The top seed of the tournament, IM Gerard Ayats Llobera (ESP) scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 5th Llinars International Open 2025 Group A (≥1950). He finished a half point ahead of the competition. FM Kaivalya Sandip Nagare scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. After missing out the first round, he scored seven points in the remaining eight games and remained undefeated. Three players - FM Joseph Ryan (IRL), FM Sylvain Degardin (FRA) and FM Andres Iglesias Ferreira (ESP) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured third, fourth and fifth place respectively. The top three prizes were €1200, €700 and €500 along with a trophy and local products gift each. Photo: Ana Bocals Roca

Esports World Cup Last Chance Qualifier: Nihal Sarin is the sole Indian to advance to the main event

27/07/2025 -

GM Nihal Sarin (S8UL) is the sole Indian to finish in the final four of Esports World Cup Last Chance Qualifier. He defeated GM Andrey Esipenko 2.5-1.5 to secure his place in the main event. He is joined by GM Levon Aronian (Team Reject), GM Anish Giri (Team Secret) and GM Javokhir Sindarov (Vitality). Anish defeated Hans Niemann (Team M80) 2.5-0.5 to advance to the main event. Aronian defeated Andrey Esipenko in Armaegddon after a 2-2 tie to secure his place in the next stage. Sindarov won Armageddon against Niemann after their score was tied at 2.5-2.5. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Can Pavel Eljanov win 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters?

27/07/2025 -

GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) made an 18-move short draw against IM Jakub Seemann (POL) to maintain his sole lead 7/8 at 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters. This draw earned Jakub his final GM-norm with a round to spare. Apart from Jakub, GM Jan Malek (POL) and GM Iniyan Pa are two more players at 6.5/8 each. Iniyan defeated IM Marco Materia (FRA) to get in the title fray. IM Nitish Belurkar had a hard-fought draw after more than 5.5 hour-long battle against GM Yahli Sokolovsky (ISR). GM Leon Luke Mendonca defeated IM Dimitar Mardov (USA) to move to 6/8. Round 9 starts today at 9:30 a.m. local time, 1 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Women's World Cup Final: A missed chance for Divya?

26/07/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy made a slight inaccuracy in the first game of the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Final. If her opponent, IM Divya Deshmukh correctly spotted it, the outcome could have possibly been a decisive one. Nevertheless, it is Final after all. Emotions and pressure are running at an all-time high. So these things can and will happen. Humpy will have the white pieces in the next game. She will try to make the most out of it. Will a new Women's World Cup champion be crowned tomorrow, or will things go down to the tie-breaks? Round 7/Final Game 2 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Karthikeyan Murali convincingly clinches 58th Biel Chess Festival MTO, Pranav Anand second

26/07/2025 -

GM Karthikeyan Murali defeated GM Benjamin Bok (NED) to become a clear champion at 58th Biel Chess Festival Master Tournament (MTO). He finished a half point ahead of the rest and remained undefeated. Five players - GM Pranav Anand, GM Mustafa Yilmaz (TUR), GM Karthik Venkataraman, GM Pranesh M and IM Poh Yu Tian (MAS) scored 7.5/10 each. They secured second to sixth place respectively. The total prize fund was CHF 23800 + non-cash prizes. The top three prizes were CHF 6000, 4500 and 3500 along with a medal and certificate each. This is Karthikeyan's first individual rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

Esports World Cup Last Chance Qualifier: Praggnanandhaa and Nihal advance to the Playoffs

26/07/2025 -

Chess is evolving. It is no longer just played over-the-board and in person anymore. The online chess takes a huge shape at Esports World Cup 2025. The total prize fund allotted for chess is US$ 1.5 Million. Arjun Erigaisi became the first Indian to quality to the main event of Esports World Cup back in May. 12 spots are already filled. Various players all over the world battled in the Last Chance Qualifier. Levon Aronian (Team Reject), Oleksandr Bortnyk (NAVI), R Praggnanandhaa (Team Liquid) and Hans Niemann (Team M80) have topped their respective A, B, C and D groups. They will be joined the remaining top four finishers of each group to play in the double elimination Playoff stage. The last four players standings at the end of the Playoff, will advance to the main event. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix R7: Pavel Eljanov's king marches towards victory

26/07/2025 -

GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) defeated GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) to stay a half point ahead 6.5/7 at 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters. Eljanov used his king beautifully in the queen and rook endgame to win the game. IM Marco Materia (FRA) displayed gritty defence after GM Bryce Tiglon (USA) missed his winning opportunity. IM Jakub Seemann (POL) scored a fine victory over GM Xiao Tong (QD, CHN) to move to 6/7. Jakub will inevitably clash against Pavel in the penultimate round. IM Anuj Shrivatri held GM Savva Vetokhin to a draw. GM Iniyan Pa is the sole Indian at 5.5/7. Round 8 starts today at 2:30 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Anton Demchenko dominates 3rd Vojvodina Open 2025, Shahil Dey second

25/07/2025 -

Top seed, GM Anton Demchenko (SLO) scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Vojvodina Open A group (≥2100) 2025. He finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the rest. IM Shahil Dey scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. Four players scored 6/9 each. Out of them, GM Tomas Laurusas (LTU) was placed third according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was €7000, €5150 in Group A. The top three prizes were €1000 + trophy, €800 and €700 along with a medal each. The eight-day nine round Rating tournament was  organized by Vojvodina Chess Federation at Ceremonial Hall of SPC Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Serbia from 25th June to 2nd July 2025. Then FM Ajay Mushini was the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 5.5/9 to finish seventh. CM Kumaresh A won the Blitz Rating Open, FM Raghav V claimed third place. Photo: vojvodinachess.net

Vladimir Fedoseev wins 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters, Aravindh Chithambaram second

25/07/2025 -

GM Aravindh Chithambaram drew his final round game against the reigning World Rapid champion, GM Volodar Murzin. GM Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) won against GM Salem Saleh (UAE). Both Fedoseev and Aravindh scored same points 28.5/52. Fedoseev finished ahead of Aravindh in the Chess960 event, part of Grandmaster Triathlon. Thus, Fedoseev became 58th Biel Chess Festival GMT Masters 2025. Aravindh had to settle for second place. Salem finished third scoring 24.5/52. GM Nikolas Theodorou (GRE) had already won the GMT Challengers with a round to spare. He finished with 33.5/52. GM Aram Hakobyan (ARM) secured second place 28.5/52. GM Rinat Jumabayev (KAZ) was third 20/52. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix R6: Pavel Eljanov misses a win, still in sole lead

25/07/2025 -

GM Pavel Eljanov (UKR) drew against GM Bryce Tiglon (USA) to maintain his sole lead 5.5/6 at 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters. Eljanov was winning against Tiglon. However, in a position when it seemed almost everything is winning, he opted for a choice which turned the tables. The American missed his opportunity and thegame ended in a draw. The top seed of the tournament, GM Jorden van Foreest (NED) defeated GM Xiongjian Peng (CHN) convincingly to move to 5/6. Jorden and seven more players including France's very own, IM Marco Materia is at 5/6. Round 7 starts today at 2:30 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

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