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Fabiano Caruana Starts with a Win at Sinquefield Cup 2026

11/08/2026 -

The final Classical Event of the Grand Chess Tour, the 2026 Sinquefield Cup, returns to the Saint Louis Chess Club. On the Opening day, there was only 1 decisive result, where Caruana, Fabiano, defeated Jorden van Foreest with white pieces. The other 4 games, including R. Praggnanandhaa vs. Samuel Sevian, ended in a draw. The 2nd round will start at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

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Divya Deshmukh Beats Vaishali Rameshbabu in Round 1 of 6th Cairns Cup 2026

11/08/2026 -

Divya Deshmukh defeated Vaishali Rameshbabu in the Opening Round of Cairns Cup 2026. Cairns Cup is one of the strongest women's super-tournaments in the world, and 3 Indian Players are taking part in it. Koneru Humpy started the event with a draw against Stavroula Tsolakidou. In another decisive result, Alice Lee defeated Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Tan Zhongyi won against Bibisara Assubayeva. The 2nd round will start at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Team Line-ups Confirmed for 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand

11/08/2026 -

The International Chess Federation has officially published the team line-ups for the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 27, 2026. Featuring 11 classical rounds following the opening ceremony on September 15, this edition will be the largest in chess history. A record-breaking 400 teams have been confirmed across two competitions: 208 in the Open section and 192 in the Women's event, surpassing the previous record of 380 teams set at Budapest 2024. Photo: FIDE

11-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan crowned Britain’s youngest-ever Women’s champion

11/08/2026 -

England’s 11-year-old prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, another superstar-in-the-making, became Britain’s youngest-ever Women’s Chess Champion. Her only loss in the tournament was to Shreyas Royal in Round 6. In a tense, rapid-chess playoff between the top female players, Sivanandan defeated Ireland’s 14-year-old Trisha Kanyamarala, a hugely promising talent herself and the first Irishwoman to hold the WGM title. Photo: Yuri Krylov

Ural State Mining University wins inaugural FIDE World University Team Championship 2026

11/08/2026 -

Ural State Mining University has been crowned champion of the inaugural FIDE World University Team Championship Finals, defeating Saint Louis University in Sunday’s final in Almaty. The final day of competition brought the championship down to its two decisive encounters: Ural State Mining University against Saint Louis University for the title and Kazakh National University of Sports against The University of Texas at Dallas for third place. Photos: FIDE

Pranav Anand Wins Brasov Grand Prix Classic 2026

10/08/2026 -

GM Pranav Anand scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win the Brasov Grand Prix Classic 2026. Pranav and Top Seed Igor Kovalenko both scored 7.5, but better tiebreaks helped Pranav win the title. In the final round, Pranav defeated Henriquez Villagra Cristobal with white pieces. The tournament was organised in Brasov, Romania, at Hotel Aro Palace from 25th to 31st July 2026. The total prize fund was 36.000€, with the top three prizes being Lei 25000, 15000 and 1000 along with Trophies. Photos: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

The life and journey of Koneru Humpy

09/08/2026 -

Koneru Humpy is one of India’s most accomplished chess players and the country’s first female Grandmaster. She is known for her determination and fighting spirit. She has won the Women’s World Rapid Championship twice, in 2019 and 2024. Humpy is also known for balancing her professional chess career with motherhood and family life. In this interview, she talks about her journey, challenges, motivation, family, and her approach to the game. Photo: Michal Walusza

Elevating Assam Chess: IM Neeraj Kumar Mishra Leads 7-Day Camp in Moranhat

08/08/2026 -

A transformative long-term project by SBG Chess Academy aims to bring structured, high-level coaching to promising talent across remote regions of India. Chess is reaching every corner of India, and the remote regions of Assam are no exception. In a major boost to grassroots chess development, International Master Neeraj Kumar Mishra, alongside Assistant Coach Santanu Borpatra Gohain, is currently conducting an intensive seven-day training camp at the SBG Chess Academy in Moranhat, Dibrugarh district. Photos: R K Pancham Singh

Come and Battle in the City of Lakes: 9th N L Pandiyar Memorial Lakecity International Open 2026

08/08/2026 -

Chess returns to the picturesque City of Lakes as Buddhibal Seva Sansthan (BSS), operating under its Chess in Lakecity unit, proudly announces the 9th N. L. Pandiyar Memorial Lakecity International FIDE Rating Open Chess Tournament 2026. Continuing its legacy of hosting world-class FIDE-rated events in Udaipur, the tournament brings together players from across India and around the globe.

"This is my best Rapid and Blitz performance ever!" R. Praggnanandhaa

07/08/2026 -

R Praggnanandhaa has won the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026, leading from day one to day five and never letting go. It is, by his own assessment, the strongest Rapid and Blitz showing of his career. In this in-depth interview, he takes us through the ambitious c5 that Levon Aronian played against him, the quiet Qb2 that cost Fabiano Caruana the game, the opening idea he liked so much he made a note to reuse it, the antidote to the French Defence that Jorden Van Foreest had prepared, and the thrilling finale with Javokhir Sindarov. Photo: Lennart Ootes

R. Praggnanandhaa Wins Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz 2026

07/08/2026 -

R Praggnanandhaa played tremendous chess at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz to win the tournament with a round to spare. On the final day, Praggnanandhaa scored 3 wins and won the tournament with a draw against Javokhir Sindarov in the penultimate round. This is Pragg's 1st Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz Title. Pragg drew his final game against Levon Aronian to finish with 23.5/36 points. En route to his victory, Pragg lost only 2 of the 27 games he played, including both Rapid & Blitz. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Anuj Shrivatri Shines at 1st Ekal Shrihari Rapid Rating 2026

07/08/2026 -

Anuj Shrivatri scored an unbeaten 8/9 points to win the 1st Ekal Shrihari Vanvasi Vikas Trust Rapid Rating Chess Tournament 2026. Anuj Shrivatri, Vivaan Vishal Shah, Om Gada, Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh, and Jeet Jain, all five players, scored 8/9 points and secured top 5 spots according to tiebreak scores. The tournament was organised at Maharaja Agrasen Palace, Surat, on 2nd August. The total prize fund was ₹5,00,000, with top 3 prizes of ₹71,000, ₹35,000 and ₹21,000 along with trophies. Photos: Sam

Praggnanandhaa Shines in Blitz, Increases his Lead at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026

06/08/2026 -

After Completion of 9 rounds of Blitz at Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026, Praggnanandhaa maintains his lead with 18/27 points. On the 4th day of the tournament, Praggnanandhaa scored 3 wins and drew the remaining 6 games. Javokhir Sindarov is trailing with 16.5/27 points. With just 9 rounds to go on the final day, the championship is wide open, and if Praggnanandhaa can keep the form he is in, he is going to take it home. Photos: Lennart Ootes

How a screen-free activity led 8-year-old Divisha to medals

06/08/2026 -

Divisha Naveen Nayakula's chess story began almost by accident. Her parents just wanted to keep their three-year-old away from screens during the pandemic. Little did they know that one decision would change everything. Five years later, she has earned a FIDE rating of 1658, won medals at the 28th Asian Youth Chess Championship, and even played a simul against former World Champion Ding Liren. Not bad for a girl who is still only eight!

Praggnanandhaa Maintains Lead After Three Days of Saint Louis Rapid; All Eyes Turn to Blitz

05/08/2026 -

R. Praggnanandhaa kept his lead after the completion of 9 Rapid games at Grand Chess Tour Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2026. On the 3rd day, Praggnanandhaa drew with Anish Giri, and in the 8th round he defeated Vincent Keymer. The shocking result of the day was Pragg losing the final round against Jorden van Foreest. The result didn't affect the standings as Pragg is leading with 12/18 points while Sindarov is in 2nd place with 11/18. The fast-paced blitz action will start on 5th August. Photos: Crystal Fuller

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