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Bled Chess Festival 2026 – Reviving a Chess Jewel

15/01/2026 -

WGM Darja Kapš and Brainiac64 d.o.o. in cooperation with Tajfun-ŠK Ljubljana invites you to Bled Chess Festival 2026. The tournament will take place from 9th to 16th March and it is only for player rated Below 2300. The total prize fund is €6000. The top three prizes are - €1000, €700 and €400. The tournament ambassadors are Austria no.2 - GM Markus Ragger and Slovenia no.1 woman - IM Laura Unuk. The tournament offers various packages which include morning walk, game analysis, evenings with a Grandmaster and a lot more. The tournament mentions that it will treat you like Grandmaster. Check out the invitation and announcement written by the Festival Director - Darja herself. Photo: Bled Chess Festival

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New: The Endgame Academy Vol.2: Theoretical Rook Endgames by Dr. Karsten Müller

15/01/2026 -

In “Endgame Academy Volume 2: Theoretical Rook Endgames,” Grandmaster Dr. Karsten Müller teaches the essential knowledge needed to master the most common rook endgames and confidently convert advantages into victories. Using classic motifs such as the Philidor, Lucena, and Vancura positions, he explains all key principles in a clear and practical way. Interactive exercises with a scoring system allow you to track your learning progress and actively apply what you’ve learned. In this new Fritztrainer, improve your knowledge in the endgame by the expert. Grab this new Fritztrainer if you have not got it yet. Now you can study chess on any device either via streaming or on ChessBase Book. Photo: ChessBase

Aarush Bhat wins 2nd RCC Merry Christmas Blitz Rating Open 2025

15/01/2026 -

13-year-old Aarush Bhat scored 9/11 to win RCC presents 2nd Merry Christmas Blitz Rating Open 2025. Both Aarush and Lakshith B Salian scored 9/11 each. However, Aarush became champion due to better tie-break score. Lakshith was placed second. They finished a full point ahead of the competition. Seven players scored 8/11. Out of them, Ajay Manjunath Bhat was finished third as per tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹10000 + trophies. The top three prizes were ₹3000, ₹2000 and ₹1000 along with a trophy each. The one-day eleven round Blitz Rating tournament was organized by and at   Rao's Chess Corner, Bejai in Mangalore, Karnataka on 24th December 2025. This is Aarush's fifth overall, third rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

25 January: The International Solving Contest Comes to Nine Indian Cities!

14/01/2026 -

The International Solving Contest 2026 is a global celebration of chess thinking, bringing together problem lovers for a simultaneous test of logic, precision, and imagination. Held under uniform international rules, the contest presents identical challenges to participants across the world. This year marks a milestone for India, with the ISC being hosted in a record ten venues across nine cities. Open to solvers of all levels, the event offers a rare opportunity to experience chess in its purest intellectual form. Whether you come to compete, to learn, or simply to enjoy the beauty of ideas, the ISC promises a rewarding and memorable solving experience. Details follow.

Neel Prakash Nankani outright winner at 1st Ramabai Ranade Rating Open 2025

14/01/2026 -

Neel Prakash Nankani scored 9/11 to win 1st Ramabai Ranade Rating Open 2025. The twelfth standard student finished a half point ahead of the rest. Six players scored 8.5/11 each. Out of them, Kathit Nikhil Shefar and Palaash Suyog Mapara secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. The six-day eleven round Rating Open tournament  was organized by Nandakumar T Vijayamma at Shree Siddhi Marriage Hall in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra from 23rd to 28th December 2025. This was Neel's second overall, first rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Savvy International School

How a small-town movement is changing the lives of 100 girls

14/01/2026 -

Checkmate Betul is a youth-led chess initiative that is creating change in a small town in Madhya Pradesh. It was founded by Avika Shukla, a high school student living in the United States. The programme provides chess training to girls who are playing the game for the first time. The programme also focuses on building confidence, critical thinking, and consistency through chess. This article looks at how the programme began, how it works on the ground, and the impact it is already creating. Read the article to understand why Checkmate Betul is more than just a chess class. Photo: Checkmate Betul

Hongchi Peng prevails at 17th Penang Heritage City Open 2025, Suyog Wagh second

14/01/2026 -

Hongchi Peng (CHN) scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 17th Penang Heritage City Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. IM Suyog Wagh scored sole 7/9 to secure second place. He also remained undefeated. Suyog drew against the eventual champion in the fourth round. Six players scored 6.5/9 each. Out of them, IM Konstantin Sek was placed third. The top three prizes were RM 8000, 5000 and 3000 in the Open section. Suyog received ≈₹111100. IM Karthik Rajaa is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6.5/9 to claim seventh place. Photo: Penang Chess Association

Diasmany Otero Acosta victorious at 40th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit 2025, H Balasubramaniam third

14/01/2026 -

IM Diasmany Otero Acosta (CUB) scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Sakthi Group 40th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the rest. IM Carlomagno Oblitas (PER) and H Balasubramaniam scored 6/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. Carlomagno also remained undefeated. The seven-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at Hotel Alankar Grande in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from 16th to 22nd December 2025. Tournament Coordinator and Chief Arbiter - IA V Vijayaraghavan writes the tournament report. Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Tanmay Rajbongshi clear first at 23rd North Eastern States Rating Championship 2025

13/01/2026 -

Tanmay Rajbongshi (ASM) scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 23rd North Eastern States Rating Chess Championship 2025. 14-year-old Tanmay finished a half point ahead of the rest. Four players - Iftikar Alom Mazumdar (ASM). Lalrinsanga C (MIZ), Rahul Gurung (SIK) and Rajdeep Das (ASM) scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second to fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Top six remained undefeated. The top three prizes were ₹100000, ₹60000 and ₹40000 each. The five-day nine round Rating tournament  was organized by Mizoram Chess Association at R Dengthuama Hall, Mualpui in Aizawl, Mizoram from 16th to 21st December 2025. This was Tanmay's eighth overall, first rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Infiamna Rûnpui

"I Just Wanted a Medal" — Vladislav Artemiev on Beating Magnus Carlsen and Winning Silver at World Rapid 2025

13/01/2026 -

Vladislav Artemiev had an impressive run at the FIDE World Rapid Championship 2025. He finished the tournament unbeaten, defeated Magnus Carlsen, survived severe time pressure against Arjun Erigaisi, and eventually claimed the silver medal. In this exclusive interview with Sagar Shah, Artemiev speaks openly about his approach to the tournament, his struggles with time management, and the balance he tries to maintain between ambition and stability. He also reflects on his memorable games against Magnus and Arjun during the event. Photo: Lennart Ootes

Soumick Bandopadhyay triumphs at 2nd Royal Rivals Rating Open 2025

13/01/2026 -

Soumick Bandopadhyay, Debayan Ray, Arpan Das and Shaswata Paul scored 7.5/9 each at 2nd Royal Rivals Rating Open 2025. Soumick won the tourament due to better tie-breaks. The remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively. The top two finishers - Soumick and Debayan remained undefeated among them. The total prize fund combining all three tournaments was ₹750000. The top three prizes were ₹65000, ₹40000 and ₹25000 each. IM Aronyak Ghosh won the Rapid Open scoring an unbeaten 8/9. CM Sarbartho Mani and Saptorshi Gupta scored 7.5/9 each to finish second and third respectively. GM Diptayan Ghosh scored 8.5/9, remained undefeated and won the Blitz Open. Aronyak scored 8/9 to claim second place. IM Kaustuv Kundu edged past three more players on tie-breaks to finish third. This is Soumick's first rating tournament triumph of his career. Photo: Partha Pratim Manna / Classical Chess Academy

Ilamparthi A R wins Wroclaw Chess Festival 2025, Bharath Subramaniyam second

12/01/2026 -

GM Ilamparthi A R and GM Bharath Subramaniyam H scored 7/9 each at Wroclaw Ches Festival Open A (≥ 2100) 2025. Ilamparthi won the tournament due to better tie-break score.  Bharath secured second place. The total prize fund was 40000 PLN. The top three prizes were 10000, 7000 and 6000 PLN each. GM Prraneeth Vuppala is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6/9 to finish ninth. FM Priansh Das scored 6/9 to score an IM-norm. The seven-day nine-round Swiss League  Rating Open tournament was organized by Polonia Wrocław Chess Club Foundation at Park Hotel Diamant in Wrocław, Poland from 13th to 19th December 2025. Photo: Klub Szachowy Polonia Wrocław

So and Yip are Tata Steel India Blitz 2026 Champions, Nihal and Vantika second, Arjun Erigaisi third

12/01/2026 -

Wesley So (USA) scored 12/18 to win Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2026 Men. He won the tournament with a round to spare when he drew against Hans Niemann (USA) in Round 17. Thus, his last round loss against R Praggnanandhaa did not affect the outcome. Despite starting and ending with losses, what So did from Round 2 to 17 made all the difference. He had a five-game winning streak on the previous day and a double hat-trick of draws on the last day. Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi scored 11/18 each to finish at second and third place. Both Nihal and Arjun showed consistency in Rapid and Blitz events. IM Carissa Yip (USA) and IM Vantika Agrawal scored 10.5/18 each in the Women's event. Carissa defeated Vantika 1.5-0.5 in the Playoffs to become the champion. Thus, Vantika finished second. The total prize fund was US$ 41500. The top three prizes in the Rapid were $10000, $6000 and $3000. For Blitz they were $7500, $4000 and $2500. Photo: IA NI Vivek Sohani

Wilson Guillermo Palencia Morales clear first at 39th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit RR 2025

12/01/2026 -

IM Wilson Guillermo Palencia Morales (COL) scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win 39th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. IM Jorge Marcos Gomez Sanchez (CUB) scored sole 6/9 to secure second place. IM Diasmany Otero Acosta (CUB) and Hari Ganesh T scored 5/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The seven-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at Hotel Alankar Grande in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from 8th to 14th December 2025. Tournament Coordinator - IA R Srivatsan writes the tournament report. Photos: IA R Srivatsan

Tata Steel Blitz 2026 R1-9: So gains sole lead, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin in pursuit

10/01/2026 -

Wesley So (USA) scored 7/9 to emerge sole leader after Round 9 of Tata Steel India Blitz 2026. Despite starting the day with a loss against Vidit Gujrathi, blundering checkmate in a winning position, So bounced back and scored 7/8 in the next eight games. performing at 2908 and having a five-game win streak, including against pursuers - Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin. Arjun is at 6.5/9, followed by Nihal 5.5/9, Vishy Anand and Vidit 5/9 each and R Praggnanandhaa at 4/9. Nine more rounds of Blitz games will be played tomorrow. Anything can happen. Blitz Round 10 starts tomorrow at 3 p.m. IST. Photo: Lennart Ootes

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