Books, Boards, Clocks & More

At ChessBase India Shop

Visit now!

new books banner

Javokhir Sindarov will face D Gukesh in the first round of 88th Tata Steel Chess Masters 2026

17/01/2026 -

The first major Classical chess event of the year 2026 is 88th Tata Steel Chess. Five Indians - four in Masters and one in Challengers will be seen in action. Four out of the eight Candidates will battle on the 64 squares. The reigning World Champion, D Gukesh will face the newly crowned FIDE World Cup 2025 winner - Javokhir Sindarov in the first round. The remaining twelve Masters participants are - Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, the defending champion - R Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Hans Niemann, Vladimir Fedoseev, Jorden van Foreest, Aravindh Chithambaram, Matthias Bluebaum, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Thai Dai Van Nguyen. In the Challengers section, IM-elect FM Vedant Panesar is the sole Indian in the field. Round 1 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST for both Masters and Challengers section. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

NEW LAUNCH

CHESSBASE '26 + MEGA DATABASE '26

The industry standard new combo is here to help you uplift your Chess!

ChessBase '26 + MEGA DATABASE '26 Shop Now

Kushal O convincingly clinches Vizag Rating Open 2025

16/01/2026 -

CM Kushal O scored an unbeaten 7.5/8 to win Vizag Rating Open 2025. Seven players scored 7/8 each. Among them, Kota Kalpak Harsha Keertan and Sri Akhil Prasad secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹600000. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹40000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The four-day eight round Rating Open tournament was organized by Sri Chess Academy and Chaitanya Chess Academy at S3 Sports Arena  in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from 25th to 28th December 2025. This is Kushal's second overall and first rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Dr. Rangala Babu Rao / All Visakha Chess Association

Apoorv Kamble dominates Mynavathi Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2025

16/01/2026 -

IM Apoorv Kamble scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Mynavathi Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. IM Chakravarthi Reddy M scored sole 8/9 to secure second place. Five players - IM Kushagra Mohan, IM Sai Agni Jeevitesh J, FM Syed Anwar Shazuli, IM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi and Shivanth M scored 7.5/9 each. They secured third to seventh place respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹500000. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹35000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The tournament was organized in loving memory of Mrs. Mynavathi K G. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament  was organized by First Move Chess Academy at Manasa Gangothri Indoor Stadium in Mysuru, Karnataka from 25th December 2025. This was Apoorv's eighth overall, third rating tournament triumph in 2025. Photo: Vijetha C K / First Move Chess Academy

Aleksandrov Aleksej wins 16th Chennai GM Open, Rohith S Second, Srihari LR Third

15/01/2026 -

GM Aleksandrov Aleksej of Belarus won the 16th Chennai Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament with a half-point lead, scoring an unbeaten 8.5/10 points to finish in the top spot. GM Rohith Krishna S secured second place with 8/10 points, and GM Srihari LR also scored 8/10 to secure third place. A total of five players finished with 8/10 points from second to sixth place. GM Fedorov Alexei secured the fourth place while untitle Arnav Agrawal Of Uttar Pradesh secured fifth place in the event and he increased his rating by 58 points, on the sixth place we have GM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam who drew his last round game against GM Rohith Krishna S. The guest of honours for the prize distribution events were, M.Manickam, Chairman, Sakthi Group in the presence of Shri. M. Tamizh Vendan, I.R.S., Additional Commissioner. Photo Credit: IA S. Paul Arokia Raj

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

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

Contact Us