XTX Markets London Chess Classic 2024 R1-2: Vidit Gujrathi wins a messy endgame against Andrew Hong

01/12/2024 -

Vidit Gujrathi started his XTX Markets London Chess Classic 2024 with an unbeaten 1.5/2. He drew the first round game against World Rapid 2013 champion, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE). In round 2, he defeated Andrew Hong (USA). Vidit described his game as - "A cagey fight, super messy endgame & a little fortune to win the game!" in a tweet. The reason behind describing it as messy is, he could have finished in the endgame much earlier. Nikita Vitiugov (ENG) is the only other player at 1.5/2. Vidit will face Gawain Jones (ENG) in Round 3. He is the sole player who have won both of his games. The tournament is taking place at Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC. Round 3 starts today at 4 p.m. local time, 9:30 p.m. IST. Photo: London Chess Classic

5th Elllobregat Open 2024 Begins: 10-Year-Old Charvi A Scores First Upset

30/11/2024 -

The 5th Elllobregat Open Chess Tournament, part of the FIDE Circuit 2024, began yesterday at Can Massallera, Carrer Mallorca 30, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain. The event was inaugurated by reigning Under-16 World Champion Javier Habans Aguerrea, who rang the traditional bell to officially open the tournament. Recognized as Spain’s strongest chess event in 2023, this year’s edition has drawn 118 players from 41 countries in the prestigious Group A category, competing for a prize fund of 25,000 euros. With top seeds and emerging talents in action, the tournament promises thrilling competition ahead. Photo by Niklesh Jain.

World Championship Game 5: Gukesh survives a mild scare

30/11/2024 -

Ding Liren got himself a good opportunity to push for a win against D Gukesh in Game 5 of FIDE World Championship 2024 presented by Google. However, he could not find the correct plan to make the best out of his protected passed pawn on d3. Instead, he opted for an incorrect one by putting his bishop in the wrong diagonal. It became a virtual draw offer which both players realized. The world champion needed to find Rc8-c5 plan which would have made things difficult for his opponent. Gukesh for the third consecutive game with the white pieces played g4 and showed that he is ready to take risks. Since he got away with a draw in this game, it will only boost his confidence going further in the match. Game 6 starts tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/En Chin An

Nihal Sarin sensational at 3rd International President Cup 2024 with a 2809 performance

30/11/2024 -

GM Nihal Sarin drew with World no.6, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) in the final round to win 3rd International President Cup 2024. Nihal has a plus score against the World Rapid 2021 winner and 44th Olympiad Gold medalist in Classical rated games. Combining the statistics with his top form, Nihal played confidently and made a solid draw to become a clear champion with a 2809 performance. GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB), GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) and GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) scored 7/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. IM Neelash Saha scored 6/9 to earn his final GM-norm and also finish at eighth place. He is now 14.3 Elo rating points away from becoming India's next Grandmaster. The total prize fund of the tournament was US$ 75000. The top three prizes were US$ 25000 + trophy, $15000 and $7000 each. Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

Bristy Mukherjee perfect at Tata Steel Chess Festival 2024 Women Rapid

30/11/2024 -

WFM Bristy Mukherjee scored a perfect 7/7 to win Tata Steel Chess Festival 2024 All India Women Rapid. She finished a half point ahead of the field. WCM Arshiya Das scored 6.5/7 to finish second. Four players - Maitreyi Mondal, Diya Chowdhury, Anushka Gupta and Sneha Halder scored 6/7. They were placed third to sixth according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹80500. The top three prizes were ₹20000 + trophy, ₹15000 and ₹10000 each respectively. This was second time Bristy won this event. Previously, she won it in 2022, the inaugural edition. This is also her fourth overall tournament triumph of the year. She is the reigning West Bengal State Women champion and also won Gold at Asian Junior Girls 2024 Blitz. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

The story of the World Championship 2024 through pictures: Day 4

30/11/2024 -

Before the first rest day, the scores of the World Chess Championship 2024 were tied at 1.5-1.5. Both players were expected to gain momentum and take the lead in the match. Game 4 saw some unexpected moves from both sides, but despite the surprises, neither player’s position was unsettled. It was a game of balance in which positions stayed equal throughout, with both players maintaining 98% accuracy, and the score locked at 2-2. Check out what happened in Game 4 through the pictures! Photo: Maria Emelianova

World Championship 2024 diaries Game 3

30/11/2024 -

Four games have concluded at FIDE World Championship Match 2024 presented by Google. The third game was the most exciting one as D Gukesh scored his first-ever win in a Classical rated game against Ding Liren. GM Sundararajan Kidambi meticulously analyzes the game in detail. He followed the commentary of Judit Polgar and Robert Hess on chess24, also analysis of Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik and Fabiano Caruana. Check out the detailed dissection by Kidambi of the third game and enrich your understanding of it. If you like his explanations, do mention it in the comments, so that it inspires Kidambi to share more from his fountain of knowledge. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Test Yourself With These Five Incredible Compositions

29/11/2024 -

Time to exercise your chess muscles! ChessBase India's Editor of Chess Composition, Satanick Mukhuty, brings you five intriguing challenges. They are first presented together in a sheet with only the stipulations. Readers can download this sheet and take their time to ponder over each position. Later in the article, Satanick provides in-depth solutions. The selection boasts a remarkable chronological span, with problems from as far back as 1891 and as recently as 2002. Decades apart, yet equally mesmerising – these five challenges are a testament to the timeless allure of chess composition.

World Championship Game 4: A balanced draw

29/11/2024 -

Ding Liren bounced back well with a balanced draw in the fourth game against D Gukesh at FIDE World Championship 2024 presented by Google. The world champion opted for this line in the Reti opening to surprise his opponent. It worked well according to him. However, the positional advantage was miniscule. He felt that he had to play f4 at some point but was not sure about the evaluation in some variation. Instead, he opted for a safer variation. Pieces got exchanged at regular intervals and the game eventually liquidated into an equal rook endgame where draw became the obvious result. Game 5 starts tomorrow at 5 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Maria Emelianova

India wins six medals at 2nd Asian Championship for Players with Disabilities 2024

29/11/2024 -

FM Venkata Krishna Karthik and CM Samarth J Rao scored 6/9 each at 2nd Asian Championship for Players with Disabilities 2024 Open. Venkata won Gold in Physical Impairment category, Samarth Silver, according to tie-breaks. Jinay Ankitbhai Shah and Aditya Asaram Ghule scored 4.5/9 each in Junior section. They won Silver and Bronze medal respectively in Physical Impairment category. Sharon Rachel Aby scored 6.5/9 in Junior Girls section. She won Gold in Physical Impairment category. Durkasri Maruthaiah scored 5/9 to secure Silver in the same category. Overall India won a total of six medals at this event - two Gold, three Silver and a Bronze. Photo: IA Anandh Babu V L

Nihal Sarin subdues Javokhir Sindarov, on the verge of winning 3rd President Cup 2024

29/11/2024 -

GM Nihal Sarin continues his stellar form at 3rd President Cup 2024. He played a fantastic game to beat GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) to emerge sole leader 7/8. He is now a full ahead of seven players who are at 6/8 each including the top seed, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB). Nihal just needs a draw against Abdusattorov in the final round to become a clear champion. IM Neelash Saha also continues his great momentum. He drew with GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) in a hard fought battle to take his score 6/8. His final round opponent will be Sindarov. IM Nitish Belurkar scored a fine victory as he outplayed GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB). Round 9 starts today at 10 a.m. local time, 10:30 a.m. IST. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Divith Reddy Adulla wins Gold at World Cadet Under-8 Chess Championship 2024, Silver for Sattwik Swain

28/11/2024 - The 2024 World Cadet Chess Championship concluded with a thrilling final round, showcasing exceptional talent from around the world. Divith Reddy made India proud by winning the Under-8 Open World Championship, further cementing India’s rising prominence in global chess. Alongside him, Sattwik Swain, another Indian talent, finished in second place in the Under-8 Open category. The closing ceremony was a grand affair, with over €20,000 in gifts, including ChessBase 17 and DGT Pegasus chess sets, awarded alongside trophies and medals. The inaugural World Cadet Problem Solving Competition added another layer of excitement, with winners receiving trophies and chess books. The championship crowned six new World Age Group Champions, marking a milestone in the careers of these young chess prodigies. Tournament Director IO/GM Roberto Mogranzini thanked everyone for their support, while FIDE Delegate Solakoglu, Ozgur officially declared the championship closed, marking the end of a spectacular event and a bright future for chess. Photo : Niklesh Jain / Patricia Claros Aguilar / Margherita Morigi

The story of the World Championship 2024 through pictures: Day 3

28/11/2024 -

After the second game, Ding said, “I am ready for a fight" And that’s exactly what we got. The youngest World Championship Challenger came out with a fire to level the score. Gukesh pushed hard with every move, seizing every opportunity. After his victory in the first game, the World Champion showed that he was back in form, and made it clear that this would not be an easy battle for Gukesh. Now, it was Gukesh's time to prove that it wouldn’t be an easy battle for the Champion either. Game 3 showed us how an 18-year-old challenger can shake the confidence of a reigning World champion! Relive the drama through pictures. Photo: Eng Chin An

World Championship 2024 diaries Game 2

28/11/2024 -

Three games are already over at FIDE World Championship Match 2024. The second game was a rather uneventful one. GM Sundararajan Kidambi did not find the game to be a boring draw. He analyzes the game in detail. He followed the commentary of Peter Svidler, also analysis of Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik. Check out the detailed dissection by Kidambi of the second game and enrich your understanding of it. If you like his explanations, do mention it in the comments, so that it inspires Kidambi to share more from his fountain of knowledge. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

3rd President Cup R7: Nihal and Sindarov emerge coleaders, Abhimanyu forces draw against Abdusattorov

28/11/2024 -

GM Abhimanyu Puranik held the top seed, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) to a draw in Round 7 of 3rd President Cup 2024. The former forced a draw via perpetual check against the World no.6. GM Nihal Sarin scored a comfortable win over IM Ortik Nigmatov (UZB). Nihal is now coleader with GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) 6/7 each. Sindarov defeated GM Sankalp Gupta. IM Neelash Saha continues his great form. He had a solid draw against GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI). Neelash and GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) are trailing the leaders by a half point at 5.5/7 each. IM Ameya Audi scored a fine victory over GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI). Round 8 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST.