Corneru Hampi (FID photo) Pune: India’s highest-ranked female chess player Koneru Humpy has said that apart from China’s Zhu Jin’er, she does not think any female chess player has the potential to reach Elo level 2600 and break into the top 100 in the public world rankings.Hampi, who will compete in the Norwegian Chess Classic … Read more
Exclusive interview with Vincent Keymer (special arrangement) New Delhi: Vincent Keymer is an International Master (IM) who first established his authority on home soil when he won the prestigious Gronk Chess Open in 2018, when he was barely 13 years old. The Grunke Festival is held in the German city of Karlsruhe and has always … Read more
Vincent Keymer and Javokhir Sindarov (photo by Freestyle Chess and Niki Riga) New Delhi: There is a new apex predator in the world of chess and his name is Javokil Zindarov.The 20-year-old Uzbek grandmaster (GM) used stunning tactical aggression to win the 2026 FIDE Candidates Championship on Tuesday, ensuring his right to challenge India’s D … Read more
Javokhir Sindarov vs. Anish Giri (Photo: Niki Riga/FIDE) NEW DELHI: Javokhir Sindarov produced a flawless performance to win the 2026 FIDE Candidates Championship on Tuesday, sealing the crown with a one-round stoppage and setting up a blockbuster world championship clash with D Gukesh later this year.The Uzbek grandmaster remained undefeated at the event at Cape … Read more
Nihal Salin (Photo: Michal Walusza) New Delhi: Last February, Nihal Sarin was busy playing an online chess game at TakeTakeTake’s ‘Tuesday’ event. His opponent is Armenian player Emin Ohanyan. In a tense endgame, Nihal outsmarted his opponent. Since the game is played on a computer rather than a board, a gentleman’s handshake is never possible. … Read more
Nodirbek Yakubboev gives the ‘Namaste’ gesture to India’s Harika Dronavali (Photo: ChessBase India) NEW DELHI: A lighthearted and heartwarming moment at the Glencoe Freestyle Open went viral when grandmaster (general manager) Harika Dronavali reached out to resign, but Uzbek general manager Nodirbek Yakubboev responded with a polite “Namaste”. It was a memorable and respectful exchange … Read more
Divya Deshmukh vs Julkinl (Photo: Michal Walusza) New Delhi: The fourth wheel has always been considered a psychological hurdle. Wednesday was the final push before the first scheduled rest day at the Cape St. George Hotel and Resort in Cyprus as the 2026 Candidates Tournament opens up a new level of competition. However, the Indian … Read more
Divya Deshmukh (Image: FIDE) Nagpur: “I believe it will happen sooner or later.” Divya Deshmukh, who has just become the world junior women’s chess champion, is full of confidence against the Candidates. That’s June 2024.In July last year, Divya became India’s first women’s World Cup champion and also won the grandmaster title, thereby qualifying for … Read more
Koneru Humpy and Criton Tornaritis New Delhi: India’s top grandmaster (GM) Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the 2026 Women’s Candidates Championship in Cyprus, saying she felt it was not safe to participate in the event. Her decision sparked criticism, particularly from the Cyprus Chess Federation.Humpy wrote onThe match, which begins on March 28, is a … Read more
India’s D Gukesh (FIDE/Eng Chin An via PTI photo) New Delhi: India’s young chess star Gukesh has come under criticism from former world champion Anatoly Karpov, who claimed his title depended more on luck than dominance. Gukesh defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest world champion, but some voices, especially from Russia, questioned the quality … Read more