Magnus Invitational Day 3: Carlsen tops the Prelims

16/03/2021 -

Anish Giri brought his momentum to a halt as he started the third day of Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Prelims with a draw against Nakamura. He lost the next game against Nepomniachtchi. Thus he finished the prelims with 10.0/15. Carlsen beat Pichot to start his day and drew the remaining four games to top the table with 10.5/15. Carlsen will face Aronian, Nepomniachtchi against Nakamura, So vs Firouzja and Giri vs Vachier-Lagrave are the matches for Quarter-Finals. Catch the Quarter-Finals tonight on ChessBase India youtube channel from 9:30 p.m. IST with live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal. Photo: chess24 live stream

Magnus Invitational Day 2: Giri maintains his sole lead

15/03/2021 -

Anish Giri once again had a fantastic day at Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Magnus Carlsen invitational. He started the day with two consecutive victories, making it a five-game winning streak before finishing the day with 8.0/10. Carlsen was held to a draw by Grandelius in the first round of the day. He finished the day with a draw against Radjabov at 7.5/10. But the game of the day was played by So against Aronian which was a magnificent win. Catch Day 3 action tonight on ChessBase India youtube channel from 9:30 p.m. IST. with live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal. Photo: Jurriaan Hoefsmit / Tata Steel Chess 2021

Bludgeoning and Bromancing - Giri on the go!

14/03/2021 -

"I have to ask you this, of the five games you played today, which one was your favourite?" asks Sagar Shah, the question obviously directed to Anish Giri, the man of the hour who has just had an unbelievable day beating three world-class players in a row including the World Champion himself. "...But I have bromance with only one person Sagar," clarifies Anish. "I am not going to desert Magnus so easily!" — that is exactly how the conversation with the Dutch no.1 began when he visited the ChessBase India live stream fresh from a rampageous start at the Magnus Carlsen Invitational. How did Anish manage to stun the mighty Magnus, and along with him both Wesley So and Alan Pichot? We find out in this short analytical report.

Magnus Invitational Day 1: Giri beats Carlsen

14/03/2021 -

Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Magnus Carlsen invitational witnessed Giri beating Carlsen in Round 4 and finish Day 1 with a sole lead of 4.0/5. Both Aronian and Carlsen finished the first day with 3.5/4. They are followed by five players at 3.0/5. Dubov made a brilliant stalemate combination at the center of the board as he saved the game from a completely lost position against Mamedyarov. Catch Day 2 action tonight on ChessBase India youtube channel from 9:30 p.m. IST. with live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal. Photo: chess24 Live stream

'Check' - A Telugu movie centers around Chess

13/03/2021 -

The influx of the sports based movies in the Indian movie industry is definitely a reason to rejoice for all sports lovers. However there is a serious dearth in movies based on chess. Sure chess has often been used in a metaphor or some sub-plot but so far it hasn't been the major focal point of live action movie where an actual chess player portrayed a character. Award winning Telugu director Chandra Sekhar Yeleti took a leap of faith and made a movie titled 'Check' where chess is the focal point. Have you watched it yet? Photo: Official Trailer/Bhavya Creations

GM Iniyan will start as the top Indian in 1st FIDE World University Online Individual Blitz

12/03/2021 -

A total of 1002 players from 73 nations will be taking part in 1st FIDE World University Online Championships in Individual Blitz event on 13th and 14th March 2021. The sole Indian GM taking part in this event will be Iniyan P representing Bharathiar University. He is also the lone participant representing his university. Four IMs and two WIMs from India will be taking part in this event. Ten rounds will be played each day with a time control of 3 mins + 2 seconds increment. 272 players are in reserve for this event. Top four universities will advance to the FIDE World University Team Online Blitz Cup. Photo: Niklesh Jain

6-year-old Veyashini and her love for chess traps!

12/03/2021 -

What happens when parents see that their 4-year-old daughter has an excellent memory and want to initiate her journey into the sport of chess? The problem - parents know nothing about chess! Navigating their way through the chess ocean, Prakash has been able to achieve something special. He has got his daughter hooked onto chess in the last couple of years. Veyashini is now 6 years old and doesn't let a single day pass by without practicing her favourite sport. This is a story of how the journey of a chess youngster begins! A few years from now Veyashini will definitely make it big in the world of chess. The reason is simple, she loves the game a lot and enjoys playing it!

Doctor Anwesh Upadhyaya makes a fantastic return at Mykolaiv 2021

11/03/2021 -

Covid-19 pandemic has put a whole lot of our plans in disarray. Many of us are still finding our way to get back to over-the-board chess while very few are slowly getting back to otb chess. Former National Rapid champion, doctor and IM Anwesh Upadhyaya returned to otb action at Mykolaiv 2021 after almost a two-year hiatus. Find out how was it for him to play a tournament after such a long time and much more. Also check out two in-depth analysis of his games by none other than Dr. Upadhyaya himself.

FIDE approves hybrid format for World Cup 2021 qualifiers

11/03/2021 -

Covid-19 pandemic has affected all spheres of life. It has necessitated the new form of 'Hybrid' chess. Over-the-board chess tournaments are slowly making their way back in India and some parts of the world with all necessary precautions and safety measures taken. FIDE approves proposals of the four Continental Federations related to their qualification structures for the next FIDE World Cup to be held in July 2021. Photo: FIDE

Rupali Bank Krira Parisad dominates Walton 1st Division Chess League 2021

10/03/2021 -

Long before players started flocking to European countries like Spain, Hungary and Serbia, Indian players were travelling to Bangladesh for the very same reason. Majority of the players travelled from Kolkata, West Bengal because it's nearer and travel time is about 30-35 mins from Kolkata to Dhaka airport. Eight Indian players went to play Walton 1st Division Chess League and all of them had a great event. Rupali Bank Krira Parisad won the event where IM Neelash Saha played a key role in the team's success. Photo: Bangladesh Chess Federation

Seminar on chess and autism announced

10/03/2021 -

We all know by now that chess is much more than just a sport. It can be used as a tool to help the society in numerous ways and the mankind too. For the first time on 29th March 2021, FIDE together with its Commission for People with Disabilities and the Social Commission, will be holding an Introductor Seminar - "Chess for children with an autism spectrum disorder. How chess can help children with autism". Check out the article to find out more details on how to register for it. Photo: FIDE 

Koneru Humpy is the winner of BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award

09/03/2021 -

On 8th February 2021, BBC revealed the nominees for BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award. Koneru Humpy was one of them along with Manu Bhaker, Dutee Chand, Vinesh Phogat and Rani. It was announced that the winner will be decided by public vote and results will declared on 8th March. Yesterday on International Women's Day, BBC revealed the poll results and turns out our very own Women's World Rapid champion Koneru Humpy has won the award. It is a matter of great joy for the entire chess universe when chess gets the deserved recognition. Photo: BBC News Press Team

The evolution of women's chess in India

08/03/2021 -

The first national championship in women's chess in India took place in 1974. It was won by Vasanti Khadilkar. Over the last 46 years there have been 19 different national champions in the country. From the Khadilkar sisters brining in the culture of women playing chess, to Vijayalakshmi becoming the first WGM of the country, to Koneru Humpy dominating the sport on a world stage, chess has come a long way in the country. On this women's day we bring you the story of the evolution of the women's chess in India, at the same time IM Sagar analyzes one best game of all the 19 national champions of the country! Enjoy this massive article.

Gukesh wins Vidit Chess Tour

08/03/2021 -

GM D Gukesh added another feather to his cap by winning the Finals of Vidit Chess Tour. He ended IM Aronyak Ghosh's dream run by beating him in Armageddon as all four rapid games ended up in draws. Both players had their fair share of chances in the rapid, yet neither of them got the better of the other. It all came down to Armageddon where Gukesh utilized his experience to register another triumph. GM Narayanan S L beat GM Arjun Erigaisi by 2-1 to secure the third position. Photo: Niklesh Jain

Yugam 2021 - International Online Blitz Open with ₹100000 prize fund

07/03/2021 -

Everyone is well versed with the over-the-board events organized by Dr. N Mahalingam Chess Academy. They have organized 20 chess tournaments in four years since it was inaugurated by the seven-time world champion Vishy Anand. Their first online tournament, part of South India's largest Techno-Cultural fest Yugam 2021, will take place on Sunday 21st of March at 7 p.m. IST in ChessBase India webroom on Playchess. Entry is FREE for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs. For everyone else Entry fee is ₹200 for Indians and €3 for foreigners. The tournament can be played via windows software and desktop or laptop browser only. Registration is CLOSED. Photo: Yugam 2021