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2nd UzChess Cup R2: Praggnanandhaa pummels Vokhidov, now World no.5

20/06/2025 -

R Praggnanandhaa completely decimated Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) in Round 2 of 2nd UzChess Cup 2025. Praggnanandhaa got an ideal position for an English Opening player. His opponent did not react correctly by accepting a knight sacrifice. He had to pay a heavy price for it. This win also moved Praggnanandhaa up to World no.5 and India no.2 with a live rating 2777.2. Arjun Erigaisi played a solid draw against Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI). Aravindh Chithambaram did not feel at home from the early part of the game against Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB). He missed all his chances to get back in inferior positions and ended up losing the game. Speaking of missed chances, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) missed a couple of good chances against Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) and the game ended in a draw. Round 3 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 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

Vinayak Singh Yadav wins Kumar Gwachha Memorial Below 2000 Rapid Rating 2025

20/06/2025 -

14-year-old Vinayak Singh Yadav and Muhan Narshing Shrestha (NEP) scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at Kumar Gwachha Memorial Below 2000 Rapid Rating 2025. Vinayak won the tournament due to better tie-break score, Muhan was placed second. The fourth round battle between Vinayak and the eventual runner-up, Muhan ended in a draw. Prem Krishna Maharjan (NEP) scored sole 7.5/9 to finish third. The top three prizes were NRS 25000, 15000 and 10000 along with a trophy each. The two-day nine round Below 2000 Rapid Rating tournament was organized by Bhaktapur Yuwa Team at Maheshwari Banquet in Bhaktapur on 23rd and 24th May 2025. This is Vinayak's first rating tournament triumph of his career. Photo: Raju Tamrakar

Himal Gusain perfect at 14th Salento Open Master 2025

20/06/2025 -

IM Himal Gusain scored a perfect 9/9 to win 14th Salento Open Master (≥1900) 2025. He won the tournament with a round to spare and finished a whopping two points ahead of the rest. WIM Cecile Haussernot (FRA) scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. IM Piotr Goluch (POL) was placed third with a score of 6/9. The total prize fund was €4200, €2500 for Master. The top three prizes were €1000 + trophy, €600 + cup and €299 + cup each. The eight-day nine round rating tournament was organized by Chess Projects ASD at Caroli Hotels Eco resort Le Sirenè in Gallipoli, Italy from 17th to 24th May 2025. This is Himal's fifth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Official site

Nikhil Dixit dominates 17th Late Bharatbai Halkude Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2025

20/06/2025 -

FM Nikhil Dixit scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 17th LBHM Rapid Rating Open part of Late Bharatbai Halkude Memorial Chess Festival 2025. Nikhil finished a half point ahead of the competition. Five players - IM Neelash Saha, IM Kashish Manoj Jain, CM Vedant Pimpalkhare, Advik Amit Agrawal and IM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi scored 8/9 each. They secured second to sixth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the entire festival was ₹3033000, for Rapid it was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹51000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each respectively. This is the Aaryan's second rating tournament triumph of the year. He also became an IM on 1st June as he crossed the final hurdle by attaining the 2400 Elo rating requirement in June FIDE Rating list.

Carissa Yip convincingly clinches 5th Cairns Cup, Harika Dronavalli third

20/06/2025 -

IM Carissa Yip (USA) drew an interesting game against IM Alice Lee (USA) in the final round to win 5th Cairns Cup. Carissa was winning for the significant part of the game. However, in the end, a draw was also enough for her to become a clear champion. After a slow start 1.5/4 due to illness as she mentioned in the post-game interview, she scored 4.5 in the next five games to become the champion and also score a GM-norm. Her opponent, Alice secured place scoring 5.5/9. GM Harika Dronavalli drew against IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) to be placed third 5/9. GM Koneru Humpy lost her final round game against GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR). Humpy, GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) and Kashlinskaya shared fourth place with a 50% score 4.5/9. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Saint Louis Chess Club

2nd UzChess Cup R1: Sindarov stuns Nepomniachtchi

19/06/2025 -

The second edition of UzChess Cup Masters 2025 is off to an excellent start. The stellar lineup promised exciting games and it did not let down anyone. The 44th Olympiad Gold medalist, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) scored a huge win over Ian Nepomniachtchi. After missing the initial opportunity, Sindarov managed to capitalize on his opponent's later mistakes. Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) arrived at a lost position by move no.11 against Arjun Erigaisi. He could not recover and Arjun walked away with the full point. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) scored the only other victory of the round against Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). The All-Indian clash between Aravindh Chithambaram and R Praggnanandhaa ended in a draw. Round 2 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Aaryan Varshney perfect at 16th Late Bharatbai Halkude Memorial Blitz Rating Open 2025

19/06/2025 -

IM Aaryan Varshney scored a perfect 9/9 to win 16th LBHM Blitz Rating Open part of Late Bharatbai Halkude Memorial Chess Festival 2025. Aaryan dominated the tournament with a perfect score 9/9 and finished a full point ahead of the rest. FM Nikhil Dixit, Sarbartho Mani and Ayaan Phutane scored 8/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the entire festival was ₹3033000, for Blitz it was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹21000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each respectively. This is the Aaryan's eleventh overall, sixth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Gaurav Varshney

Mayank Chakraborty clear first at Sharjah Masters B 2025

19/06/2025 -

IM Mayank Chakraborty scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 8th Sharjah Masters B (>1900) 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Zhang Di (CHN), IM Reza Mahdavi (IRI) and GM Vladimir Burmakin scored 7/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament is more than $73000, Masters B had $9200. The top three prizes were $2300 + trophy, $1800 and $1300 each. GM Prraneeth Vuppala, IM Harshavardhan G B, IM Yash Bharadia and IM Raahul V S scored 6.5/9 each. They secured sixth, seventh, ninth and tenth place respectively. This was Mayank's first tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Sharjah Chess Club

Neelash Saha clinches LBHM Chess Festival Rating Open for the third consecutive year

19/06/2025 -

IM Neelash Saha won 14th LBHM Rating Open 2025 part of Late Bharatbai Halkude Memorial Chess Festival 2025. Neelash dominated the tournament with a perfect score 9/9 and finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the rest. Six players - IM Aaryan Varshney, Shrayan Majumder, Viresh Sharnarthi, Badrinath S, Arijit Ghosh and CM Prathamesh Sherla scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second to seventh place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the entire festival was ₹3033000, for Classical Rating tournament it was ₹123300. The top three prizes were ₹135000, ₹100000 and ₹51000 along with a trophy each respectively. This is the third consecutive year Neelash has won this event. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

423 players in action at Aurionpro Mumbai International GM+Junior Chess Tournament 2025: R1-3 Report

19/06/2025 -

After a hiatus of almost 5 years, a Grandmaster tournament is happening in Mumbai - it is the Aurionpro Mumbai International Grandmaster Tournament! Along with the GM Open, the U-13 Juniors tournament is also taking place - just like the previous editions. After the first 3 rounds of play, the top seeds are seen to be dominating in both the sections - in Masters, Levan Pantsulaia (2551, GEO), and in juniors Aansh Nandan Nerukar (2356) are leading with 3/3 points. 6 more rounds remain to be played at the Expo Hall of the World Trade Center in Mumbai! Go through all that happened in the first three rounds in our report. Photos: Vivek Sohani, Himank Ghosh

Arjun, Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh set to face World's best at 2nd UzChess Cup Masters

19/06/2025 -

Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram will make their debut at 2nd UzChess Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The World no.3, Arjun is the highest rated player in the field. Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) is the defending champion. The remaining six participants in the Masters are - Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), Ian Nepomniachtchi, Richard Rapport (HUN), Javokhir Sindarov (UZB), Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) and Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). The tournament will take place at Panarams Hotel in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 19th to 27th June. The total prize fund of the tournament is US$ 121500. Masters has $80000, Challengers $25000, Futures $11500 and Open $5000. Round 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Sharp Minds on 64 Squares: Chennai’s Children’s Chess Tournament Returns!

18/06/2025 -

The 8th edition of the 64 Squares Children’s Chess Tournament will be held at Chennai Citi Centre, Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, a prominent venue near the beach. The event will follow a rapid format with a time control of 15 minutes per player, without increment, and will run from 10 AM to 4 PM. Previous editions have featured open categories, with one such event offering a prize pool of ₹50,000, comprising 20 cash prizes and 3 awards for veteran players. The tournament regularly attracts a competitive field, including several FIDE-rated participants. The maximum number of entries this time is limited to 350. Further details follow in this article.

23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships to take place in Malaysia next month

17/06/2025 -

Penang Chess Association, ASEAN Chess Confederation and Malaysian Chess Federation are inviting participants from ASEAN members. Players from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste, Dialogue Partners - Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and USA are eligible. If the participation requirements are met, the medal winners in selected categories may become eligible for direct titles and norms. Check out the article for more information. All tournament info photos are from tournament circular. Photo: Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau

Ameya Audi dominates 4th Late Venkatesh and Sumathi Shanbag Rolling Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2025

17/06/2025 -

IM Ameya Audi scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 4th Late Venkatesh and Sumathi Shanbag Rolling Trophy Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field and won this event for the third consecutive year, completing a hat-trick. Four players - Mandar Pradip Lad, Arpith S Bijoy, Reuben S Colaco and Joshua Mark Telles scored 8/9 each. They secured second to fifth place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹125000 + 92 trophies. The top three prizes were ₹30000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. The two-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Mormugao Taluka Chess Association at St. Therese's High School in Vasco De Gama, Goa on 17th and 18th May 2025. This is Ameya's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Tanishq Kavlekar/Mormugao Taluka Chess Association

5th Cairns Cup R6: Humpy beats Harika to emerge sole leader

17/06/2025 -

GM Koneru Humpy defeated GM Harika Dronavalli to emerge sole leader at 5th Cairns Cup. Harika made an incorrect exchange sacrifice. She had compensation but it was not enough as Humpy's long-term material advantage helped her to win the game. She is now at 4.5/6. IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) defeated GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) to move to 4/6. IM Carissa Yip (USA) played fantastic chess to beat GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN). She is now at 3.5/6 with Harika and IM Alice Lee (USA). GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) crushed Alice after the latter went wrong early in the game. GM Nino Batsiashvili (GEO) made a one-move blunder in the endgame which cost her the point against GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO). Round 7 starts today at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Saint Louis Chess Club

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