88th Tata Steel 2026 R11: Sindarov beats Arjun to join the lead with Abdusattorov

The FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) defeated World no.5, Arjun Erigaisi to join the lead at the conclusion of Round 11 at 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026. Sindarov is now coleader of his compatriot, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) who drew his game against Jorden van Foreest (NED). R Praggnanandhaa suffered his third loss of the event, this time against Vincent Keymer (GER). The World Champion, D Gukesh drew against Aravindh Chithambaram. Hans Niemann (USA) won a thrilling game against Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE) to move to 6.5/11, a half point behind Sindarov and Abdusattorov. Round 12 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST for both Masters and Challengers section. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Tata Steel Chess

One Game a Day, Play Pure Classical Chess in March

At present, fast-paced chess formats are gaining dominance in the chess world, but even today, if we want to witness the finest games of chess, classical chess remains the format we consider the best. As part of the ongoing Khelo Chess India movement in Bhopal for the last three consecutive years, we are bringing our second Classical FIDE-rated tournament as the next international FIDE event. The tournament will be held from 23 March to 31 March.

This competition will be played on the one-round-per-day principle, in line with world-class international events, giving players ample opportunity to analyze their games, rest properly, and prepare for the next round—allowing us to witness their best possible performance.

The tournament will feature a total prize fund of ₹1,50,000, with 128 players competing on 64 boards, playing 9 rounds under the Swiss system. Registrations have already begun, so if you wish to experience true classical chess, register at the earliest.

So far, Khelo Chess India has successfully completed 75 events.

Ananthi Chess Academy invites you to 13th National Amateur Championships 2026

The 13th National Amateur Chess Championships 2026 will take place from 25th February to 1st March at Adhiyamaan College of Engineering in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Ananthi Chess Academy, the organizer of the event, invites you to take part in it. There are three rating categories - Below 2300, 2000 and 1700 in both Open and Women section. The total prize fund is ₹300000. The top three prizes are ₹20000 + trophy, ₹17000 and ₹14000 in U2300 Open, ₹16000 + trophy, ₹14000 and ₹10000 in Under-2000 Open, ₹12000 + trophy, ₹9000 and ₹7000 in U1700 Open. For Women, the top three prizes are ₹10000 + trophy, ₹6000 and ₹5000 in U2300 and U2000 Women, ₹8000 + trophy, ₹6000 and ₹5000 in U1700 Women. Last date to receive entry is 11th February 2026. Several Indians have won various medals at World and Asian Amateur events. This is the gateway to those events. Read the article to know more about the events. Photo: Tournament circular

Shakya Singha Modak clear first at Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 Under-19 Rapid

Shakya Singha Modak scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 Under-19 Rapid. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Four players - WFM Saparya Ghosh, Aahil Patra, Somiddho Rajbanshi and Archit Mohapatra scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second to fifth place according to tie-breaks. The two-day nine-round Under-19 Rapid tournament was organized by Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal on 10th and 11th January 2026. The total prize fund was ₹51000 + trophies. Top three prizes in Open and Girls were ₹10000 + trophy, ₹6000 and ₹4000 each respectively. This was Shakya's first tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Grand Prix events at Phoenix ChessBase India Chess Club!

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

Hyderabad is all set to host its next big event - 2nd Aspiring Minds International Rapid Rated Open 2026

The city of Hyderabad is all set to witness another major chess event. After a huge success of the first edition conducted in May 2025 which attracted 785 participants across the  country, Aspiring Minds Chess Academy team led by renowned coach and player IM FT Ravi Teja, has announced its 2nd edition on 14th & 15th February 2026. The total cash prize for the two day event is Rs. 4,00,000 with the 1st prize of Rs.60,000. The tournament will be held at the Saroornagar Indoor Stadium, Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad, Telangana.

Liam Putnam wins 51st Ciudad de Sevilla Open 2026, Aronyak Ghosh third

IM Liam Putnam (USA) and GM Praveen Balakrishnan (USA) scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at 51st Ciudad de Sevilla International Open 2026. Liam won the tournament on tie-breaks, Praveen had to settle for second place. IM Aronyak Ghosh scored sole 7.5/9 to finish third. He also remained undefeated. GM P Shyaam Nikhil, GM Sayantan Das, GM Vignesh N R and IM Shahil Dey scored 7/9 each. They were placed fifth to eighth respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was €10500. The top three prizes were €2000, €1500 and €1000 along with a trophy each. Shyaam won the Blitz Rating Open 6/7. Vignesh also scored the same. He was placed second on tie-breaks. Photo: Ismael Nieto

88th Tata Steel 2026 R10: Gukesh bounces back again

The World Champion, D Gukesh bounced back once again in Round 10 of 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026. Gukesh joked about teaching a lesson to the 14-year-old as he lost few games against the stronger players when he was a 13/14-year-old. He also praised how Yagiz became stronger in the last year. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) drew his game against Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO) to maintain his sole lead 6.5/10. Jorden van Foreest (NED) drew against Javokhir Sindarov (UZB). Both of them maintain their pursuit at 6/10 each. Matthias Bluebaum (GER) scored his second consecutive win to cross 2700 in the live ratings for the first time in his career. Bluebaum crushed Anish Giri who opted for a sharp line. World no.4 Vincent Keymer (GER) got the better of World no.5 Arjun Erigaisi. Aravindh Chithambaram scored his first win of the event against the Czech Republic no.1, Thai Dai Vang Nguyen after the former made a bold practical decision in the endgame. Today is the last rest day. Round 11 starts tomorrow Friday 30th January at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST for both Masters and Challengers section. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Tata Steel Chess

Telangana State Chess Association invites players to the Telangana Rapid and Blitz Championship 2026, top two players from each tournament will qualify for nationals

Telangana State Chess Association invites players to the participate in the Telangana Rapid Chess Championship - 2026 and Telangana Blitz Chess Championship - 2026 on the 31st of January, and 1st of February, 2026 respectively. The top two players from each tournament will get a chance to represent Telangana State in National Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship- 2026. Prize Money for each tournament is Rs.10,000 and the last date of registration : 30.01.2026. Photo : Telangana State Chess Association

Deboushnik De reflects on his journey from 1927 to 2430 Elo in one year

In this article, Deboushnik De describes his rise from a 1927 rating to 2430 Elo and two International Master norms within a single year. He highlights the importance of mindset, planning, and trusting the process during difficult phases that helped him overcome setbacks and perform consistently at a higher level. Deboushnik comes from North East India, where access to top-level tournaments and training resources is limited; that's why his journey is especially significant for players from the region. This could be a good reflection on setbacks, breakthroughs, and the realities of chasing norms. Check out the article to understand what worked for Deboushnik and what did not.

Prraneeth Vuppala prevails at 37th Roquetas Chess Festival Open 2026

GM Prraneeth Vuppala scored 7.5/9 to win 37th Roquetas Chess Festival Open 2026. Prraneeth finished a half point ahead of the rest. FM Pau Marin Ferragut (ESP), IM Filip Cukrowski (POL), IM Nico Chasin (USA) and IM Felix-Antonio Illinca (ROU) scored 7/9 each. They secured second to fifth place according to tie-breaks. The top three prizes were €2600 + trophy, €1600 and €1200 each respectively. GM Diptayan Ghosh, GM Raja Rithvik R and GM Vignesh N R scored 6.5/9 each. They were placed seventh, eighth and tenth respectively. IM Aronyak Ghosh scored an unbeaten 8/9 to secure second place in the 7th The Eve of Magi Blitz Rating Open. Nico won that event scoring 8.5/9. The top three prizes in Blitz were €120, €90 and €70. Photo: Club Ajedrez Roquetas

88th Tata Steel 2026 R9: Praggnanandhaa scores his first win

The World Champion, D Gukesh suffered his third loss in Round 9 of 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026. This was against the World Championship Candidate, Matthias Bluebaum (GER). It was also Gukesh's third loss in the last four games. R Praggnanandhaa scored his first win of the event against compatriot, Aravindh Chithambaram. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) maintains his sole lead 6/9, after a draw against his 44th Olympiad Gold medal winning teammate and FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB). Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR) and Jorden van Foreest (NED) won their respective games against Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE) and Vincent Keymer (GER) to move to 5.5/9 each. Round 10 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST for both Masters and Challengers section. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Tata Steel Chess

Rao's Chess Corner invites you to 2nd Grand RCC International Rating Festival 2026

Rao's Chess Corner invites you to 2nd Grand RCC FIDE Rated International Chess Festival 2026. The number of events have been doubled to six from the inaugural edition. There will be a Classical, a Rapid, two Blitz, one Freestyle (Chess960 / Fischer Random) and one Puzzle Solving Tournament. That means there is something for everyone. The total cash prize up for grabs is ₹1400001, ₹500001 in Classical, ₹200000 in Rapid, ₹100000 in each of the two Blitz events, ₹50000 in Chess960, ₹25000 in Puzzle Solving, Grand Prix prize ₹400000 and Academy/Team prize ₹25000. Entry is FREE for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs with accommodation. Read the article to know more about the entire festival. Graphic: Rao's Chess Corner

Join the MeepleCon Blitz Tournament 2026 in Mumbai on 1st February

MeepleCon, India’s biggest board game convention, is coming to Mumbai with the MeepleCon Blitz Tournament 2026! The tournament will take place on 1st February at Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla, Mumbai. Players can choose to compete in one of two 7-round blitz events. The first tournament begins at 11:00 AM and the second starts at 4:00 PM. Early bird registration is open at Rs. 250, and all participants will receive free 2-day access to explore the convention. This means you can enjoy not just the chess tournament but also over 200 board games, special game zones, workshops, and other exciting tournaments happening across MeepleCon 2026. Don’t miss this chance to be part of one of India’s largest board game events. Read the article to find out how you can register and secure your spot.

Checkmate at the farm - A unique chess tournament by Akshayakalpa

While most chess tournaments are organised inside closed doors and controlled environment, Akshayakalpa, one of the pioneers in sustainable and organic food production came up with the unique concept of checkmate at the farm. A chess tournament beyond the confinements of concrete, below the open skies and right in the lap of nature. Forty young enthusiasts participated in the unique event and after five fun yet intense rounds of chess, Aarav Kumar and Ishaan Kandi were declared the champions under-nine and under-fourteen categories respectively. But you know what was the most unique part of the event? It's what happened beyond the chess board. A pictorial storytelling by Aditya Sur Roy.