‘Judit, Yifan is the exception’: Hampi urges women to compete in more ‘open’ competitions
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…
Keymer Exclusive: Becoming Germany’s No. 1, Carlsen’s threats and 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…
Behind the glory of Vaishali candidate is a 19-year-old boy named Pranesh
Vaishali and coach RB Ramesh carrying Pranesh M on his back (Photo by Michal Walusza and Chennai Grand Masters) New Delhi: The Chennai Masters is an elite-level annual closed tournament held every year in what is widely considered the chess capital of…
It’s over in 34 steps! Nihal Sarin beats world champion D Gukesh in Menorca
At the Menorca Masters 2026, defending world champion D Gukesh suffered a setback and lost to compatriot Nihal Sarin in the third round.Gukesh arrives in Menorca as a two-time champion but his current form paints a very different picture. His troubles…
Chess Candidate: How Miracle Saved Divya Deshmukh and India from Third Round Disaster
Divya Deshmukh (Photo: Yoav Nis) New Delhi: If R Praggnanandhaa’s first-round win over Netherlands’ number one Anish Giri in the Candidates’ Round was a declaration of his aggressive DNA, the third round was a gorgeous reminder of the…
Chess Candidates 2026: Why Indians Are Not Favorites?
R Praggnanandhaa, Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali (Image: Institutional) New Delhi: Two years ago, when Dommaraju Gukesh stormed the Candidates’ Tournament in Toronto, the chess world called it a miracle. By the time he defeated Ding Liren in…
Divya Deshmukh’s debut could have an impact on candidates
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…
Muzychuk replaces Humpy as candidate due to safety concerns
Anna Muzychuk (Image credit: X) New Delhi: Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk has replaced Koneru Humpy in the upcoming Candidates Championship in Cyprus after the Indian grandmaster withdrew citing security concerns due to the host country’s proximity…
‘Gukesh won title by accident’: Former world champion Karpov sparks controversy
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…
India’s GECI ranking slips in 2026: How to improve?
Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, Divya Deshmukh and Harika Dronavalli (left to right) (Photo: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com) New Delhi: Last Sunday was International Women’s Day. Unless you’ve completely given up on digital devices, your feed is…