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Everything about the Indian Challenge at the World Cup 2021

24/06/2021 -

The World Cup 2021 is here and after a long break from over the board chess, a total of 309 players (206 in open and 103 in women) will descend upon Sochi in Russia! It is also a very exciting event for Indian chess fans as we have 12 gladiators taking part - 8 in the open and 4 in women. They are Harikrishna, Vidit Gujrathi, B. Adhiban, Aravindh Chithambaram, Nihal Sarin, Praggnanandhaa, D. Gukesh, P. Iniyan, D. Harika, R. Vaishali, Bhakti Kulkarni and Padmini Rout. In this article IM Sagar Shah takes you through all the rules and regulations of the event and tells you what is at stake. You also get to see the pairings of each Indian player and an assessment of their chances! Last but not the least, do not miss out on our World Cup 2021 contest!

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Silver Lake Open R1: Nihal and Raunak make a winning start

24/06/2021 -

Someone once said that there is a flight which is taking Indian players to various events all across the globe. Covid-19 pandemic might have put brakes on that plan for a little over a year but as the world is slowly recovering back to normalcy, Indian players have started travelling to play Open events in Serbia. A total of eleven Indian players are taking part in this event. Nihal Sarin is warming up before his campaign begins at the FIDE World Cup next month. Both Nihal and Raunak made a winning start in the first round. Round 2 starts today at 12:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Rupali Mullick

Wesley So wins Paris Rapid and Blitz Grand Chess Tour

23/06/2021 -

Wesley So who has been consistent throughout the Paris Rapid and Blitz Grand Chess Tour won the event with a round to spare 24.5/36. He finished three points ahead of the competition Nepomniachtchi 21.5/36. He had kept So on his toes at all times to remain in the championship hunt. Despite winning the tournament before the final round, So went on to beat Nepomniachtchi in the final round to assert his dominance. The world championship challenger has shown that he is gearing up well for the world championship match later this year. Vachier-Lagrave and Firouzja shared third place 18.0/36. Kramnik had a difficult event as he scored only 5.5/18. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Master Class with Rustam Kasimdzhanov

22/06/2021 -

Chess can be learned from anywhere, any time and from anyone. When the former world champion and one of Caruana's seconds can be your teacher, you do not want to pass that opportunity. World Chess is bringing back Kasimdzhanov again. In case you missed the earlier session in February, you have another opportunity to attend. The man of impeccable knowledge will be doing a webinar with World Chess on Sunday 27th of June 2020 at 9:30 p.m. IST. The topic of the session is "Positional Sacrifice". You will be able to ask questions to Kasimdzhanov and also get your doubts answered. Check out the article to find out how you can learn from one of the greats in the world. Photo: World Chess

Paris Rapid and Blitz Day 4: So maintains his sole lead, Firouzja impresses

22/06/2021 -

Wesley So suffered his first loss of the Paris Rapid and Blitz Grand Chess Tour against Aronian in Round 5. That was the only loss he conceded. He still maintains his sole lead 17.5/27, a half ahead of Nepomniachtchi 17.0/27 who was also defeated only once in the entire day. Firouzja scored a phenomenal 6.5/9 including victories over Kramnik and Nepomniachtchi. The former world champion Kramnik had a tough day as he score only 2.5/9, the lone victory coming against compatriot Svidler who finished the day with a hat-trick at the sole third place 14.0/27. Blitz Round 10 starts today from 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Paris Rapid and Blitz Day 3: So takes sole lead 12.0/18

21/06/2021 -

Reigning Fischer Random world champion Wesley So remained unbeaten in the Rapid part of Paris Rapid and Blitz Grand Chess Tour 2021. He scored 12.0/18 and finished a full point ahead of the competition at the top of the table. Nepomniachtchi showed why he is a serious threat to the world championship because as he displayed his preparation, calculation and technique in the same game to finish second 11.0/18 at the conclusion of the Rapid event. Bacrot made the most of his opportunity and made sure he finishes strong at sole third place 10.0/18. Kramnik will replace him for the Blitz part as the scoring system goes back to regular norms. Blitz Round 1 starts today from 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Top Indian chess players pay homage to their fathers

20/06/2021 -

Usually in order to become a top chess player, one has to learn the art of sacrificing on the chess board! But for that player to become a champion, his family has to make a lot of sacrifices off the board! 20th of June 2021 is celebrated as the father's day in most parts of the world. On this momentous occasions, we spoke with over 25 of the top most players in Indian chess and asked them about the role their father has played in their chess career. From being the sponsor, to quitting jobs, to travelling to tournaments, to cooking food, you can see the entire spectrum of support systems that dads have created for their children. This article pays homage to the supermen of Indian chess - the fathers!

Paris Rapid and Blitz Day 2: Vachier-Lagrave is back

20/06/2021 -

Since FIDE Candidates got over early this year, there has been a slump in Vachier-Lagrave's games. On the first day, we already got a glimpse of the France no.1 getting his rhythm back against Svidler and on the second day we witnessed a brilliant win against Nepomniachtchi in Round 6. It is true that in both games, each of the MVL's opponents had their chances, but we all know it takes two to tango. Caruana, So and Nepomniachtchi share a three-way lead 7.0/12, heading into the final day of the Rapid part of the event. Aronian, Vachier-Lagrave, Radjabov, Bacrot and Svidler are a point behind them 6.0/12. Round 7 starts today from 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

FIDE and World Chess announce Grand Prix 2022

19/06/2021 -

FIDE World Cup will start in a few days from 10th July and the World Championship match is slated to take place this November. However, FIDE and World Chess have already made their plans about the next world championship cycle and announced the FIDE Grand Prix Series 2022. It will take place between February and April 2022. It will consist of 24 players, based on their performance in FIDE World Cup, FIDE Grand Swiss, rating, FIDE and World Chess nominations. Each player will get to play only two out of three tournaments, which will take place in one city. Top two finishers of the GP will qualify for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2022. Photo: Niklesh Jain

Paris Rapid and Blitz Day 1: Four players share the lead 4.0/6

19/06/2021 -

Paris Rapid and Blitz is off to a fantastic start. Four players - Aronian, So, Nepomniachtchi and Svidler share the lead at the conclusion of Day 1. They all have 4.0/6, and remained unbeaten so far. So survived a scare against Firouzja and Svidler played a brilliant game against Vachier-Lagrave in the first round. Vachier-Lagrave ended his rough patch by scoring a win in the second round and making a draw in the next. Bacrot who started with a win, suffered two consecutive losses. Former world champion Kramnik will be replacing him for the Blitz part of the tournament. Round 4 starts today from 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour

Assam's Shahil Dey becomes the first International Master of North-East India

18/06/2021 -

It is not easy to play chess in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. After scoring his first and second IM-norm early this year, Shahil was struck with Covid-19 virus, but he managed to beat it and score his final IM-norm in First Saturday GM June 2021 on 13th June at Budapest, Hungary. Thus, he became the first International Master from Assam and North-East India. He already had the CM title. It is a matter of great pride for the North-East as there has never been a dearth of talent but hitting the next level and achieving a significant title has always been the dream which Shahil has finally made true come true for his state and the entire North-East India.

Off the Board Tales #9 - Prachi Mokal

17/06/2021 -

'Off the Board Tales' is a series by ChessBase India, where the premise revolves around people who are passionate about chess despite it not being their career. An emotional and short story is what you're up for, so read on for tales of joy, tales of aspirations, tales of sorrows, and tales of success. Prachi Mokal is a chess mom to IM Prathamesh Mokal and WIM Elect Amruta Mokal. She has faced many hardships and gave it her all for her kids.

IM Shivananda on Chess Part 3 - Development of a Chess Player

17/06/2021 -

Chess improvement is both easy and hard. Easy because of the availability of the information, hard because we don't know what to do with it! How much blitz should I play ? How do I create my opening repertoire? Do I use engines if I am a lower rated player? With contrasting answers from everyone around it can get difficult to understand what to do. However, with coach B S Shivananda's guidance on these subjects, you are sure to improve! In the concluding part of this series, the Indian Fischer puts on the trainer's hat and lists out logical and beneficial advice for each and every chess improver out there! Tanmay Srinath brings forth a succinent interview.

FIDE WSCC Round of 16: Harika eliminates Kosteniuk 14.5-12.5

17/06/2021 -

Harika beat Alexandra Kosteniuk in a very exciting Round of 16 match to advance to the Quarter-Finals of FIDE chess.com Women's Speed Chess Championship 2021. At the end of all three segments, the score was tied at 12.5-12.5, then Harika won the next two bullet games, winning the match by 14.5-12.5 to secure her place in the next stage. Last year Harika was eliminated by Kosteniuk in the Quarter-Finals of the same tournament but with a different format. Harika got her sweet revenge. She will now face the winner of the match between Anna Muzychuk and Julia Osmak. Vaishali will play against Lei Tingjie on Saturday 19th June. Photo: chess.com

The Pride of Pune: Abhimanyu Puranik

16/06/2021 -

Born on the 11th of February 2000, Abhimanyu Puranik is just 21 years old. However, he boasts of a very healthy Elo of 2589. Coming from the city of Pune, Abhimanyu rose through the ranks of the promising young boy to becoming one of the best in the country. How did he manage to do that? How has he balanced his chess as well as education? And who are the people who have played a role in his sucess story? This is our profile story on one of India's brightest young talents, who is at a critical juncture of his chess career - will he remain a strong 2600+ GM or will be become a world class 2750+ player! Time will tell. For now enjoy this story of Abhimanyu Puranik. Thumbnail Image by Lennart Ootes.

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