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How much does an International Master spend on chess in a year?

26/01/2026 -

Every year, IM Nikhil Dixit shares an honest breakdown of how much he spends on his chess career. He started this as a personal Reddit post and it has now become a widely read annual reflection, crossing over 500,000 views in the past. In 2025, the numbers were especially significant because this was the year Nikhil finally completed his International Master title. In total, his chess-related expenses for the year amounted to Rs. 9,75,000 (approximately $10,720). Beyond the numbers, this breakdown offers insight into the financial realities of pursuing professional chess in India.

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New: Understanding Middlegame Strategy Vol 12: Reversed Colour Systems – King’s Indian/Pirc Defence

25/01/2026 -

Ivan Sokolov’s new course examines colour-reversed King’s Indian and Pirc structures, showing how extra tempi influence typical plans and why these positions feel uncomfortable for humans but not for engines. He analyses key model games from Kramnik, Botvinnik, and Fischer, demonstrating that White usually gets a pleasant setup without a guaranteed advantage, leading to sharp, dynamic battles decided by understanding rather than theory. The course equips practical players, both with white and black, with clear ideas, typical patterns, and concrete plans for navigating these complex reversed-colour systems. Photo: ChessBase

88th Tata Steel 2026 R7: Abdusattorov increases his sole lead, A tough day for Indians

25/01/2026 -

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) increases his sole lead at the conclusion of Round 7 of 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026. Abdusattorov got the better of World no.4, Vincent Keymer (GER) to move to 5.5/7. He is now a full point ahead of compatriot, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB). The FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Sindarov drew against Hans Niemann (USA). The World Champion, D Gukesh could not overcome the previous day's grief. He suffered his second loss in-a-row against the off-form Anish Giri (NED). Arjun Erigaisi tried too hard for a win against Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (TUR) and paid a heavy price. Round 8 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

L'Echiquier Du Roy René invites you to 3rd Dole Trophy 2026 offering prize fund worth more than €30000

24/01/2026 -

L'Echiquier Du Roy René invites you to Dole Trophy International Open 2026. It is one of the strongest tournaments in Europe. The total prize fund is more than €30000. The top three prizes are €8000, €5500 and €3500. There are three tournaments - Masters (>2100), Accession (<2200) and Petits Zelos (<1700). It will take place at Pasino Grand Aix in Aix-en-Provence, France from 18th to 26th July 2025. Indians have had a huge successes in the last two editions. So far in both Masters and Accession events were won by Indians. The next one could be you. In the previous edition, 17 players scored 18 norms - a GM, 11 WGM and 3 WIM-norms. It goes without saying that this event should be a norm seekers paradise. Photo: Official site

Elias Ruzhansky clear first at Groningen Chess Festival Open 2025, Vignesh N R shares second place

24/01/2026 -

IM Elias Ruzhansky (BEL) scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Chess Festival Groningen Open A (>2100) 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. GM Valery Kazakouski (LTU), GM Vignesh N R and FM Mykola Korchynskyi (GER) scored 6.5/9 each. They shared second place. The total prize fund in Open A was €8000. The top three prizes were €2500 + 'The Silver Zwanepol', €1500 and €900 each. The ten-day nine-round Swiss league rating tournament was organized by Stichting Schaakfestival Groningen Sportcentrum RUG & Hanze in Groningen, Netherlands from 21st to 30th December 2026. Rest day was on 25th December. GM Prraneeth Vuppala and GM P Shyaam Nikhil are the only two other Indians to make a top ten finish. They scored 6/9 each and shared fifth place four other players. Photo: Groningen Chess Festival

88th Tata Steel 2026 R6: Abdusattorov gains sole lead after Gukesh blunders

24/01/2026 -

D Gukesh had a tough outcome in Round 6 of 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026. In a relatively balanced major piece endgame, the reigning World Champion made a terrible mistake and blundered his rook in one move. Of course, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) seized his opportunity and it was over. Abdusattorov - Gukesh battles are always exciting but this time it had an unfortunate finish which made Gukesh's opponent feel sorry for him. Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram drew against Matthias Bluebaum (GER) and Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) respectively. However, both Arjun and Aravindh made narrow escape as they had losing positions. R Praggnanandhaa played a 122-move marathon draw against Vladimir Fedoseev (SLO). Round 7 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

What goes through your mind when you face a Grandmaster?

24/01/2026 -

What goes through your mind when you face a Grandmaster? Maybe a mix of excitement and nervousness? This is a story of Vipin Zamvar, a cardiac surgeon in Scotland who makes time for chess alongside a demanding profession. He recently faced GM Nigel Short across the board during a simultaneous exhibition at the Edinburgh Chess Club. In the piece below, he shares his thoughts from the game and reflects on the lessons he took away from a memorable game. His story will remind you that passion for the game is more important than the result! Photo: Vipin Zamvar

A Boost for Chess Solving: ChessBase Extends Support to the Indian Leg of the ISC 2026

23/01/2026 -

We recently published an article announcing the launch of the International Solving Contest 2026, to be held on 25 January (this Sunday!) across multiple cities in India. The prizes on offer rank among the most coveted tools in modern chess: participants who finish in the top three of any category at any venue — provided they score at least 50% — will receive ChessBase 26, Fritz 20, and a one-year ChessBase Premium account. In welcome news, ChessBase has extended its support to this landmark nationwide launch by sponsoring the prizes. The article below explores the sponsorship and prize details in greater depth.

A dozen champions crowned at 14th National Schools Chess Championships 2025

23/01/2026 -

The 14th National School Chess Championships 2025 witnessed a participation of 1153 players from 30 different states and union territories across the nation. Kerala bagged the maximum number of medals - six, two Gold, Silver and Bronze medals each. Karnataka won four medals, two Gold and Silver each. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal also got four medals each. The twelve champions are - Nimalan Dharanipathy (KAR), Tanishka Bhandari (MAH), Ilaan Shafeek (KER), Teesha Byadwal (RAJ), Dhyaan Patel (GUJ), Yakshini P (TN), Advik Singh Chauhan (HAR), WCM Pratitee Bordoloi (KAR), Siddhant Salunke (MAH), WCM Shanmathi Sree S (TN), FM Samyak Dharewa (WB) and Ameya A R (KER).

Anustoop Biswas wins Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 Blitz Open

23/01/2026 -

Anustoop Biswas and Soham Bhattacharyya scored an unbeaten 6.5/7 each at the Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 All India Blitz Open. Anustoop won the tournament on tie-breaks, Soham was placed second. They finished a half point ahead of the rest. Eight players scored 6/7 each. Out of them, IM Utsab Chatterjee was adjudged third on tie-breaks. The one-day seven-round Blitz open was organized by Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal on 8th January 2026. The total prize fund was ₹50000. Top three prizes were ₹15000 + trophy, ₹10000 and ₹5000 each respectively. This was Anustoop's first tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Gireman Ja convincingly clinches 12th Johor Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025

22/01/2026 -

CM Gireman Ja scored an unbeaten 7.5/8 each to win both 12th Johor Rapid and Blitz Rating Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead in the Rapid and a half point ahead of the rest in the Blitz event. GM Van Huy Nguyen (VIE) and IM Dang Hoang Son (VIE) scored 6.5/8 each to finish second and third respectively in the Rapid. In Blitz, Zhenyu Li (CHN) and IM Arfan Aditya Bagus (INA) claimed second and third place scoring 7/8 each, according to tie-breaks. The top three prizes in Rapid were RM 1200, 800 and 500 each, for Blitz they were, RM 500, 300 and 200 each. These two were Gireman's second and third tournament triumph out of the only ten events he played in 2025. Photo: Johor Chess Association

88th Tata Steel 2026 R5: Gukesh scores his first win

22/01/2026 -

The World Champion, D Gukesh scored his first win at 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026 in Round 5. He defeated last year's Challengers event winner - Thai Dai Van Nguyen (CZE). Gukesh made a nice exchange sacrifice in the endgame and then he converted his advantage smoothly. FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) scored his second consecutive win of the event to join the lead. The coleaders - Hans Niemann (USA) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) drew their game against each other. Thus, Hans, Sindarov and Abdusattorov are in a three-way lead 3.5/5 each. Today is the first of three rest days. Round 6 starts tomorrow Friday 23rd January at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST for both Masters and Challengers section. Photo: Lennart Ootes / Tata Steel Chess

Ganzorig Amartuvshin clear first at Hong Kong International Open 2025, Visakh N R third

22/01/2026 -

IM Ganzorig Amartuvshin (MGL) scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Hong Kong International Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. GM Xiongjian Peng (CHN) and GM Visakh N R scored 7/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The top three finishers remained undefeated. The top three prizes were HK$ 50000 + trophy, 25000 and 12000 along with a trophy each. The seven-day nine-round Swiss league rating tournament was organized by Hong Kong Chess Federation Limited at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wanchai, Hong Kong from 23rd to 29th December 2025. GM Ilamparthi A R and GM Abhijeet Gupta were the only other Indians to make a top ten finish. They scored 6.5/9 each to be placed fifth and eighth respectively. Photo: FIDE

When India's rising star Pranav Anand faced Magnus Carlsen at the World Blitz Championship

21/01/2026 -

19-year-old Grandmaster Pranav Anand was in superb form at the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025. He scored impressive wins against strong players like Amin Bassem, Robert Hovhannisyan, Richard Rapport, and Murzin Volodar. He finished the tournament with a score of 12/19 and performed at a rating of 2739! In the fifth round, he faced Magnus Carlsen, a dream encounter for any young player. He has annotated his game against the World No. 1 in this article. Check out how the exciting battle unfolded. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Jagreet Misra dominates ChessVeda Rapid Rating Open 2025

21/01/2026 -

CM Jagreet Misra scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 1st ChessVeda Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Five players - FM Rosh Jain, Shreyas, IM Aradhya Garg, CM Aashman Gupta and Harshit Singh scored 8/9 each. They secured second to sixth place respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹230100. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹15000 and ₹11000 along with a trophy each. The two-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament  was organized by ChessVeda at Pacific World School in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh on 27th and 28th December 2025. This was Jagreet's thir overall, first rating tournament triumph in 2025. Photo: Voice of Indian Sport

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