Books, Boards, Clocks & More

At ChessBase India Shop

Visit now!

new books banner

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

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

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

88th Tata Steel 2026 R4: Hans Niemann sacs his queen

21/01/2026 -

The fourth round of 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026 was an eventful one. Hans Niemann (USA) sacrificed his queen and then brought his king all the way from h8 to e3 to win against Aravindh Chithambaram. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) scored a comfortable win against the Czech Republic no.1, Thai Dai Van Nguyen. FIDE World Cup 2025 winner, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) scored his first win of the event after three draws. It was against a fellow World Championship Candidate - Matthias Bluebaum (GER). World Champion, D Gukesh and Anish Giri (NED) drew against R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi respectively. Hans and Abdusattorov are currently at 3/4 each. Round 5 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

Akshayakalpa Organic invites you to one of the most unique chess events ever - Checkmate at the farm

20/01/2026 -

Akshayakalpa Organic invites you to one of the most unique chess events ever in Hyderabad - Checkmate at the farm. An experience where young minds meet living soil. Akshayakalpa invites young chess players (U9 & U14 limited to twenty players each category) to a one-of-a-kind tournament set amidst their organic farm in Hyderabad. As children focus, think, and compete, parents can slow down—walk the farm, connect with soil, enjoy wholesome organic food, and soak in nature. Focusing on their vision of organic, healthier and sustainable approach, they have curated this unique event.

Aaryan Varshney perfect at 2nd Bhilwara Rating Open 2025

20/01/2026 -

IM Aaryan Varshney scored a perfect 9/9 to win 2nd Bhilwara Rating Open 2025. He won the tournament with a round to spare and finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the field. Ashutosh Banerjee, Saikat Nath, Akshat Negi and Bhavya Kumar Moolchandani scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second to fifth place overall. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹700000, ₹100000 increased since the previous edition . The top three prizes were ₹100000, ₹55000 and ₹31000 along with a trophy each respectively. The six-day nine-round Swiss league rating tournament was organized by District Chess Association Bhilwara at Sri Mahesh Vatika in Bhilwara, Rajasthan from 24th to 29th December 2025. This was Aaryan's 22nd overall and ninth rating tournament triumph in 2025. Photo: Ajay Kumar Gupta / District Chess Association, Bhilwara

88th Tata Steel 2026 R3: Arjun Erigaisi draws against World Champion Gukesh

20/01/2026 -

The third round witnessed only two decisive games at 88th Tata Steel Masters 2026. Arjun Erigaisi drew against the World Champion, D Gukesh. R Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram also shared the point against the Czech Republic no.1 - Thai Dai Van Nguyen and World Rapid 2021 champion - Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) respectively. Matthias Bluebaum (GER) and Jorden van Foreest (NED) defeated their fellow compatriots - Vincent Keymer (GER) and Anish Giri (NED) respectively. Five players - Hans Niemann (USA), Jorden, Arjun, Bluebaum and Abdusattorov are at 2/3 each. Round 4 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

Soham Bhattacharyya wins Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 Rapid Rating Open

19/01/2026 -

Soham Bhattacharyya and Anustoop Biswas scored an unbeaten 8/9 each at the Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 All India Rapid Rating Open. Soham won the tournament on tie-breaks, Anustoop secured second place. Four players - GM Mitrabha Guha, IM Utsab Chatterjee, WIM Arpita Mukherjee and CM Nikhil M scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed third to sixth according to tie-breaks. The two-day nine-round Rapid rating open was organized by Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal on 7th and 8th January 2026. The total prize fund was ₹300000. Top three prizes were ₹50000 + trophy, ₹30000 and ₹20000 each respectively. Soham won the first tournament he played in 2026. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Contact Us