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16th Dolomiti International Tournament Begins in the Lap of Nature

08/06/2025 -

The 16th Dolomiti International Chess Tournament began on Saturday in Forni di Sopra, located in the Dolomites mountain range, which is renowned as a World Heritage Site in Italy. Forni di Sopra is situated in the upper valley of the Tagliamento River, and the surrounding area is a protected natural region of Italy. This place feels like a paradise for playing chess, where the peaceful surroundings create a perfect setting for the game. In the first round played on the opening day, top-seeded Bulgarian Grandmaster Martin Petrov and second-seeded Indian International Master Himal Gusain succeeded in winning their respective games with ease. The tournament is being held in two categories — Group A for players rated above 1899 and Group B for players rated below 2000. Read this report & Photos from this beautiful location by Niklesh Jain.

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

Aaryan Varshney dominates DPS Sitapur Future GM Series Vol 1 Rating Open 2025 with a perfect score

08/06/2025 -

IM Aaryan Varshney scored a perfect 8/8 to win DPS Sitapur Rating Open 2025. The top seed of the tournament finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the rest. 12-year-olds Ramanuj Mishra and Rakshit Shekhar Dwivedi scored 6.5/8 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹15000 and ₹13000 along with a trophy each. The four-day eight round Rating Open tournament was organized by UPCSA and Sitapur Shiksha Sansthan at Delhi Public School, Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh from 10th to 13th May 2025. This is Aaryan's tenth overall, fifth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Delhi Public School Sitapur

New: ChessBase Magazine #225

08/06/2025 -

Prague Chess Festival 2025: Analyses by Aravindh, Giri, Gurel, Navara, Nguyen, Shankland, Wei Yi and others - ‘My favourite miniature’: Entertaining, instructive, short - 27 games under 20 moves, annotated by CBM authors - Dutch vs. London: Yago Santiago counters with 1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Nc6! - ‘Rooks in seventh heaven’: Oliver Reeh's tactical tests with over 30 current games + four interactive videos - ‘3.Bf4! – Something for the lazy?": Sam Shankland dissects his victory over Ediz Gurel from the Prague Masters with the London System – Opening videos by Daniel King, Jan Werle and Robert Ris and much more. Photo: ChessBase

Himal Gusain perfect at 1st Città di San Cataldo Open 2025

08/06/2025 -

IM Himal Gusain scored a perfect 5/5 to win 1st Città Di San Cataldo Open A (>1750) 2025. He finished 1.5 points ahead of the field. Christian Chieffalo (ITA) and Salvatore Culle (ITA) scored 3.5/5 each to secure second and third place respectively. The total prize fund was €1000. The top three prizes were €200, €150 and €100 along with a trophy each. The three-day five round rating tournament was organized by ASD "L'Alfiere" at Palazzo di Citta - Sala Borsellino in San Cataldo, Sicily, Italy from 9th to 11th May 2025. This is Himal's fourth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: siciliascacchi.it

21st Delhi GM Open R1: Vairaj Sogerwal stuns Karen Grigoryan

08/06/2025 -

10-year-old Vairaj Sogerwal scored a huge upset in Round 1 of 21st Delhi GM Open 2025. He defeated the ninth seed, GM Karen Grigoryan (ARM). It was not a smooth conversion for the boy. The series of mistakes in the endgame eventually allowed his opponent to find a way to earn full point. Meetansh Dixit had the opportunity to score the biggest upset of the round. He missed the opportunity to seize his advantage against the third seed, GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO). The strong Georgian GM managed to escape with a draw when he allowed perpetual checks to finish the game. The 21st edition boasts a total prize fund of ₹12100000, ₹5100000 in Category A. The top three prizes are ₹700000, ₹600000 and ₹500000. Round 2 starts today at 9:30 a.m. IST.

Sahib Singh becomes India’s latest International Master from New Delhi

07/06/2025 -

India has recently got a new International Master, 16-year-old Sahib Singh from Delhi. He scored his final IM norm at the Dubai Open 2025. This path wasn’t easy for him as he missed his norm a few times, a lot of pressure, and financial struggles along the way. But what kept him going was his love for the game and the strong support from his family. Over the years, Sahib has made India proud time and again. One of his stunning performances includes his triple gold finish at the Western Asia Youth Chess Championship in 2022. Read his story to know how a young boy from Delhi became India’s newest International Master. Photo: Tajinder Singh

Aravindh Chithambaram wins 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial, Praggnanandhaa second

07/06/2025 -

Aravindh Chithambaram defeated Aram Hakobyan (ARM) to become the winner of 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial 2025. Aravindh made a nice calculation in the queen and double knight endgame, resulting in a crucial pawn gain after his opponent erred. R Praggnanandhaa also ended up scoring the same as Aravindh 6.5/9. However, Aravindh became the champion due to better tie-break scores, Praggnanandhaa had to settle for second place. They finished 1.5 points ahead of the rest. Dmitrij Kollars (GER) scored 5/9 to finish third. Aravindh is now World no.9 with a live rating 2757.8, Praggnanandhaa is World no.6 with a live rating 2774.2. Photo: Chess Academy of Armenia

Anna Muzychuk deservingly clinches 2nd Norway Chess Women, Humpy third

07/06/2025 -

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew against GM R Vaishali in the final round of 2nd Norway Chess Women 2025. She missed a win once again and Vaishali escaped with a draw in Armageddon. Despite the match loss, the crucial draw in the Classical was enough for her to win the tournament as GM Koneru Humpy drew the Classical game against GM Wenjun Ju (CHN). Humpy won her Armageddon against the five-time Women's World Champion to finish third. GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) defeated IM Sara Khadem (ESP) to secure second place. Anna remained undefeated in Classical games at this event. Vaishali was the sole player she could not beat despite having winning positions in both Armageddon. This is Anna's third consecutive Classical tournament win after two GP events in Nicosia, Cyprus and Grosslobming, Austria. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Magnus Carlsen wins Norway Chess for the seventh time, Gukesh third

07/06/2025 -

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) drew with Arjun Erigaisi in the Classical battle. It was enough for him to win Norway Chess for the seventh time in his career. In Armageddon, the World no.1 got checkmated by Arjun Erigaisi. Fabiano Caruana (USA) defeated the World Champion, D Gukesh to finish second. It was not as smooth as Caruana would have liked. In the final moments, he misplayed which allowed Gukesh to get back in the game and fight for a draw. However, he also missed his opportunity and lost. Gukesh finished third. Carlsen won NOK 700000, Caruana 350000 and Gukesh 200000. Whether it was the last Classical event for Carlsen and Nakamura, is only a speculation at this point. Only time will tell the answer to that. With FIDE World Cup 2025 being just a few months away, it won't be a surprise to see at least one of them back there, if not both. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Vedant Panesar triumphs at Motilalji Firodiya Rating Open 2025

07/06/2025 -

FM Vedant Panesar and IM Rahul Sangma scored 8/9 each at Motilalji Firodiya Rating Open 2025. Vedant won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Rahul secured second place. Viresh Sharnarthi, IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni, IM N Krishna Teja and Indrajeet Mahindrakar scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed third to sixth respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹502500. The top three prizes were ₹101000, ₹71000 and ₹51000 along with a trophy each. The five-day nine round   Rating Open tournament  was organized by Ahmednagar District Chess Circle at Saptak Sadan   in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra from 7th to 11th May 2025. This is Vedant's fourth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Your chance to participate in the ChessBase India Online Grand Prix 2025

06/06/2025 -

If you are looking for a fun way to spend your Sunday evening, then we have an exciting idea for you! The ChessBase India Online Grand Prix 2025 is starting this Sunday. This is a monthly blitz series in collaboration with Chess.com that will take place every 2nd Sunday of the month. The top finishers will win amazing prizes and even get a chance to meet the one and only Viswanathan Anand. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Read on to find out how you can join the action.

Ramnathan Balasubramaniam dominates Velammal Ponneri Rating Open 2025

06/06/2025 -

IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam scored an unbeaten 7.5/8 to win Velammal Ponneri Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. R A Pradeep Kumar and Jayanth Venkatesh scored 7/8 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹40000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each. The four-day eight round Rating Open tournament was organized by playu.in at The Velammal International School   in Ponneri, Tamil Nadu from 8th to 11th May 2025. This is Ramnathan's second overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Velammal Bodhi Campus

Praggnanandhaa or Aravindh - Who will win 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial?

06/06/2025 -

Aravindh Chithambaram scored an emphatic victory against Benjamin Gledura (HUN) in Round 8 of 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial. Gledura could not handle an isolated queen's pawn correctly and quickly arrived at a lost knight endgame. R Praggnanandhaa drew with Xiangyu Xu (CHN) in 18 moves. Both Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh are at 5.5/8 each. They are at a full point ahead of Dmitrij Kollars (GER). If both coleaders, draw or win, they will finish top two and tie-breaks will come to play to determine the champion. In a worst case scenario if both of them lose and Kollars wins then three players can end up with the same score. Round 9 starts today at 11 a.m. local time, 12:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Chess Academy of Armenia

Anna Muzychuk spells beautiful disaster for Wenjun, on the verge of winning Norway Chess Women 2025

06/06/2025 -

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) played fantastic chess to beat GM Wenjun Ju (CHN) and regain her sole lead at 2nd Norway Chess Women. This was Anna's first victory over the five-time Women's World Champion in a Classical rated game. It was a scintillating game which propelled her to the top of the table 15.5/27. GM Koneru Humpy blundered in a position where she could have gained a decisive advantage against GM Tingjie Lei (CHN). Humpy is at 13.5/27. She has to beat Wenjun in the Classical battle in final round to keep her chances. A win in either Classical or Armageddon makes Anna a clear champion whereas a draw can also be enough to win the tournament. Round 10 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 8:30 p.m. IST. Apart from youtube, there is also a live broadcast on Sony Liv. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

Carlsen, Gukesh, Nakamura or Caruana - Who will win Norway Chess 2025?

06/06/2025 -

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) defeated Fabiano Caruana (USA) to regain his sole lead, heading into the last round of 13th Norway Chess. However, Caruana is not out of the race for first place yet. D Gukesh won against Wei Yi (CHN) to keep his chances. Carlsen is at 15/27, Gukesh 14.5/27, Nakamura 13/27 and Caruana 12.5/27. All four them have mathematical probability to win the tournament. Since Carlsen is at the top, him winning against Arjun Erigaisi in Classical makes him a clear champion. It goes without saying that the 13th edition is poised for an exciting finish as four out of the World Top 5 are in a contention of winning the tournament. Round 10 starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 8:30 p.m. IST. Apart from youtube, there is also a live broadcast on Sony Liv. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

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