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Leon Luke Mendonca clear first at Ganja Open 2025

30/11/2025 -

GM Leon Luke Mendonca scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Ganja Open 2025 Group A (≥2000). He finished a half point ahead of the competition. GM Zhao Jun (CHN), GM Ilia Iljiushenok and IM Khazar Babazada (AZE) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Leon drew against both runners-up in Round 6 and 9 respectively. Total prize fund was AZN 41200 (US$ 24235). The top three prizes were AZN 10000, 6500 and 4000 each. IM Mayank Chakraborty was the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6/9 to finish at tenth place. IM Subhayan Kundu scored 6/7 to secure second place in Rapid Rating Open. Khazar won that event scoring 6.5/7. Mayank was placed sixth with a score of 6/7. What is remarkable about Leon's triumph is, after getting eliminated on 2nd November, Leon played a tournament on 11th and won it on 17th. It just shows how strong Leon is and how ready he always stays. Photo: Official site

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Mega Database 2026 has over 11.7M games and 114,000 annotated games.

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New: Master Class Vol.19: Wilhelm Steinitz

30/11/2025 -

Wilhelm Steinitz, born in Prague in 1836, is regarded as the first official World Chess Champion after winning the historic 1886 match against Johannes Zukertort. He founded modern chess theory by replacing romantic, attacking chess with strategic and positional thinking, formulating numerous principles that still shape the game today. The Master Class, featuring four international experts, presents his most important openings, strategic ideas, endgames, and combinations through engaging video lessons. Now you can also stream on any devices - computer, smartphone and tablet apart from installation in your computer. Photo: ChessBase

XTX London Chess Classic Open 2025 R4: Pranav Anand holds World no.7 Praggnanandhaa to a draw

30/11/2025 -

The coleaders, GM R Praggnanandhaa and GM Pranav Anand drew their fourth round battle against each other at XTX Markets London Chess Classic Open 2025. The game ended in a calm draw, arising out of Closed Ruy Lopez. Six more players - GM Velimir Ivic (SRB), GM Daniil Yuffa (ESP), GM Vahap Sanal (TUR), GM Sebastian Maze (FRA), GM Tamas Fodor Jr. (HUN) and IM Jonah B Willow (ENG) have also joined them in the lead 3.5/4 each. Today is last double round of the event. Round 5 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Grand Prix events at Phoenix ChessBase India Chess Club!

29/11/2025 -

Phoenix ChessBase India Chess Club in Mumbai now hosts a year-long Grand Prix series, where the regular 4th Saturday monthly blitz tournaments, now award GP points to the top 10 finishers. After 11 cycles, the top 12 compete in a March 2026 Grand Prix Finale featuring higher cash rewards and a grand prize for the winner. The player with the highest total points is crowned Player of 2025-26, celebrating their consistency and strength in the club’s most competitive season yet. We are already six months into the Grand Prix events and have a leaderboard coming up! Read more about this and how you can be a part of it in this article. Photos: ChessBase India

9 young talents receive laptops through the ChessBase India YouTube Members Program 2024-25

29/11/2025 -

For chess players, a good laptop is as important as a good coach. It helps them study, analyse and train without any hurdles slowing them down. To support talents who cannot afford a powerful device, we decided that our ChessBase India YouTube Membership money will go towards this. This initiative aims to ensure that talent is never held back by lack of resources. Every contribution from our members directly strengthens the future of Indian chess. This year’s contributions reached Rs 8,53,622.7. We used the amount to give the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED to nine chess players. This article shares how the program works, why these players were selected and how the laptops are making a difference in their training.

Pranav Anand convincingly clinches President’s Cup of the Republic of Tajikistan 2025

29/11/2025 -

GM Pranav Anand scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win President’s Cup of the Republic of Tajikistan Group A (≥2200) 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Eight players scored 6.5/9 each. Among them, GM Sergey Drygalov and GM Nikita Afanasiev were placed second and third according to tie-breaks. GM Bharath Subramaniyam H and GM Sankalp Gupta were placed sixth and eighth respecitvely. The total prize fund was US$ 30000. The top three prizes were US$ 10000 + trophy, 8000 and 5000 along with a medal each. The seven-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by Tajikistan Chess Federation at Conference Hall of Istiqlol Hotel in Dushanbe, Tajikistan from 10th to 16th November 2025. This is Pranav's second overall, first individual triumph of the year. Photo: Tajikistan Chess Federation

Gireman Ja outright winner of Sakthi Group 36th Tamil Nadu IM-norm RR 2025, Vivaan Vishal Shah third

29/11/2025 -

CM Gireman Ja scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Sakthi Group 36th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Round-Robin 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Gireman also scored his maiden IM-norm at this event. GM Evgeniy Podolchenko scored sole 6.5/9 to secure second place. FM Vivaan Vishal Shah edged past IM Diasmany Otero Acosta (CUB) on tie-breaks to finish third scoring 5.5/9. The top three prizes were US$ 500, $300 and $200 each. Check out the tournament report written by revered International Arbiter, IA R Anatharam. Photo: IA R Anantharam

XTX London Chess Classic Open 2025 R2-3: Praggnanandhaa and Pranav Anand score a hat-trick

29/11/2025 -

GM R Praggnanandhaa and GM Pranav Anand won both of their respective games on the first double round day at XTX Markets London Chess Classic Open 2025.  Praggnanandhaa started the day with a nice sacrifice to beat GM Eldar Gasanov (UKR). Then, he got the better of IM Nico Chasin (USA). Initially, the exchange sacrifice in the middlegame did not yield the desired effect. However, in the queen endgame, Nico's inaccurate play landed him in trouble. Pranav outplayed IM Sven Tica (CRO) in Round 2. Then he won a 102-move marathon battle against IM Loic Travadon (FRA). GM Iniyan Pa won both of his games to move to 2.5/3. The coleaders - Praggnanandhaa and Pranav will inevitably clash in Round 4. It starts today at 4 p.m. local time, 9:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Tao Bhokanandh / London Chess Classic

Dhanush Raghav N S dominates Khannur Group of Institutions 2nd Khannur Rating Open 2025

28/11/2025 -

Dhanush Ragav N S scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Khannur Group of Institutions 2nd Khannur Rating Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. Four players - IM Aaryan Varshney, Nigash G, Jagajit Sinha and GM Laxman R R scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second to fifth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Dhanush defeated the top seed of the event and eventual runner-up, Aaryan in the penultimate round. The total prize fund was ₹500001. The top three prizes were ₹50001, ₹35000 and ₹20000 along with trophy each. The five-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions at Koundinya Convention Hall in Bengaluru, Karnataka from 30th October to 3rd November 2025. This is Dhanush's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Harsha Bharathakoti clear first at Thanksgiving Open 2025

28/11/2025 -

GM Harsha Bharathakoti scored an unbeaten 4.5/5 to win Thanksgiving Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. The total prize fund was US$ 4200. The top three prizes were US$ 1000, $600 and $400 in the Open section which was a FIDE rated event. The three-day five round Rating Open tournament was organized by and at Saint Louis Chess Club in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA from 14th to 16th November 2025. This is Harsha's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Austin Fuller / Saint Louis Chess Club

XTX London Chess Classic Open 2025 R1: Praggnanandhaa and Pranav Anand make a winning start

28/11/2025 -

GM R Praggnanandhaa and GM Pranav Anand made a winning start at XTX Markets London Chess Classic Open 2025. The category has a rating restriction of above 2100. Praggnanandhaa made a slightly shaky start as he got into trouble against FM Stanley Badacsonyi (ENG). However, the English could not capitalize on his opportunity and Praggnanandhaa won the game comfortably. Pranav continues his great form after winning President's Cup in Tajikistan. He defeated Sidney Panjer (GER) comfortably. The reigning National double champion, GM Iniyan Pa drew against FM Rishi Vijayakumar (SCO) after the former missed few decent chances in the game. Today is the first of two double rounds. Round 2 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 3:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

19-year-old Javokhir Sindarov becomes the youngest ever FIDE World Cup Champion

27/11/2025 -

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) has created history by becoming the youngest ever to win a FIDE World Cup. He won it at the age of 19 years. The first tie-break Rapid game ended in a draw after Wei Yi (CHN) blundered in the same color bishop endgame. Sindarov missed his opportunity. However, Sindarov won the second tie-break game after Wei could not capitalize on his chance in the complex major piece endgame. Thus, Sindarov brought the biggest individual glory to Uzbekistan, since Rustam Kasimdzhanov became World Champion in 2004. Fun fact: Both World Cup winners - Divya Deshmukh (Women) and Sindarov, won it at the age of 19 years and they are born just a day apart. Hard work definitely brought them success. Maybe destiny too? One thing is for sure as Sindarov mentioned in the post-tournament Press Conference, India and Uzbekistan players are going to fight for the top honors in the near future - Olympiad and World Cup are just the beginning. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Srinika S wins 1st Eight Square Chess Academy Below 1700 Rating Tournament 2025

26/11/2025 -

Srinika S, Shrikkanth Avyuth (USA) and Ansh Kumar Tiwari scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at 1st Eight Square Chess Academy Below 1700 Rating Tournament 2025. Srinika won the tournament on tie-breaks, Shrikkanth and Ansh secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹500000. The top three prizes were ₹60000, ₹40000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The three-day nine round Below 1700 Rating tournament was organized by Eight Square Chess Academy at Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 14th to 16th November 2025. This is Srinika's fourth overall, second rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Sivaranjani S / Eight Square Chess Academy

Shriraj Bhosale clear first at Nashik Chess Festival 1st RCC Rating Open 2025

26/11/2025 -

Shriraj Bhosale scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win Nashik Chess Festival 1st RCC Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Viraj Rane, Daksh Jagesia and Riyansh Dwivedi scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place according to tie-breaks. Shriraj drew with the eventual runner-up, Viraj in the seventh round. The total prize fund was ₹300000 + 88 trophies. The top three prizes were ₹35000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with trophy each. The six-day nine round Rating Open tournament was  organized by Revolutionary Chess Club and Chaturang Gurukulam at Reshimbandh Banquet Hall in Nashik, Maharashtra from 11th to 16th November 2025. Shriraj also won the Blitz Open tournament scoring 7.5/8, part of the festival. This is Shriraj's 14th and 15th overall, second rating tournament triumph of the year.

Tie-breaks will decide the winner of FIDE World Cup 2025, Esipenko third

25/11/2025 -

The second Final game between Wei Yi (CHN) and Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) ended in a draw at FIDE World Cup 2025. It lasted only 24.5 minutes and 30 moves. Spectators of the sport might be disappointed for such an outcome in the Classical game of the Final. However, the nonexistence of a rest day before the Finals, resulted in players taking a quick day at the office. Both Wei and Sindarov have remained undefeated in the Classical battles in this event. Both of them have had fantastic tie-breaks. One thing is for sure, the event will have an exciting finish. Andrey Esipenko won the second game against Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) to make a fantastic comeback after his one-move blunder against Wei in the Semifinls. Esipenko finished third and also earned his place in the FIDE Candidates 2026. Tie-break games start tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

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