10/11/2026 – Chess sells itself as a contest of calculation, where chance has been removed. Yet some elite players keep lucky pens, repeat outfits and meals, or give a cat a place in their pre-game routine. The interesting question is not whether a lucky charm can change a position on the board; it is why people reach for one when the result matters and control feels limited. | Pictured: Alexander Alekhine and his cat Chess (Amsterdam, 1935)

10/4/2026 – Chess philanthropist Evren Ucok has committed over $5 million in just three years to transform the global chess ecosystem. Moving beyond traditional sponsorships, his visionary investment provides holistic support for emerging prodigies like Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Sivanandan Bodhana, backs elite European clubs, and funds cutting-edge anti-cheating technology. This is the story of a profound commitment to shaping the next generation of grandmasters. | Photo: Courtesy of Selim Gurcan

8/31/2026 – Chola Chess is building a dedicated space for India's strong chess players to train and improve. It is led by R. B. Ramesh and Aarthie Ramaswamy, and supported by a committed team. With consistent camps and serious training, it has already impacted over 1300 players across the country. In this article, we take a look at some of the positions studied during a Chola Chess camp. Take your time and see if you can solve them. | Pictured: GM Debashis Das | Photo: Chola Chess

8/30/2026 – Defeating Magnus Carlsen in any format remains one of the most difficult tasks in modern chess. For 15-year-old Vandan Alankar Sawai of Delhi, that milestone arrived on 18 August during the late Titled Tuesday. Paired with the white pieces against the former world champion in round two, Vandan kept pressing until, at one point, Magnus mouse-slipped, and after that Vandan gave him no chance to come back. Read the story of this talented boy.

8/21/2026 – For twenty years, Harika Dronavalli was a fixture of every Indian team that walked into an Olympiad hall. Board one, board two, whatever the assignment, she was there, absorbing the pressure that comes with playing for a country rather than just for herself. So when the Indian squad for the Chess Olympiad 2026 was announced without her name on it, the news read, on the surface, like a changing of the guard: Humpy Koneru returning to the team and Savitha Shri B stepping in as a new addition along with a new captain: Swayams Mishra. Read Harika's thoughts on the decision. | Photo: Nils Rohde / ChessBase

7/25/2026 – Michal Krasenkow gives an interview after a dramatic comeback win to talk about his turbulent game, his storied career and why he has no intention of making life easy for the Indian players chasing norms. Michal dominated the second edition of the Chola Chess Grandmaster Round Robin Tournament and won the event in style. | Photos and interview: Devansh Singh

7/12/2026 – Chola Chess is building a dedicated space for India's strong chess players to train and improve. It is led by R. B. Ramesh and Aarthie Ramaswamy, and supported by a committed team. With consistent camps and serious training, it has already impacted over 1300 players across the country. In this article, we take a look at some of the positions studied during a Chola Chess camp. Take your time and see if you can solve them. | Pictured: GM Debashis Das | Photo: Chola Chess

6/23/2026 – Chola Chess is building a dedicated space for India's strong chess players to train and improve. It is led by R. B. Ramesh and Aarthie Ramaswamy, and supported by a committed team. With consistent camps and serious training, it has already impacted over 1300 players across the country. In this article, we take a look at some of the positions studied during a Chola Chess camp. Take your time and see if you can solve them. | Pictured: GM Debashis Das | Photo: Chola Chess

6/18/2026 – Imagine a passion that stays with you through every chapter of life. A passion that is there when you are a child discovering the world, when you are searching for direction, when life suddenly becomes uncertain and when you are trying to find your way back again. For Bhavesh Vyas, that passion is chess. It became a source of comfort, connection and hope through some of the most challenging moments of his life, including a battle with cancer at the age of 22. Read on to discover how chess helped Bhavesh navigate life's toughest challenges and find joy again.

6/9/2026 – Arohi Thatte became a part of the chess ecosystem when she played the role of a host at the Global Chess League 2025. Recently, she got an opportunity to visit Norway Chess 2026. Arohi was in Oslo for the first during six days of the event. During her stay, she managed to get a deep feel of what it was like to witness one of the most well-organized tournaments in the world of chess. Below, she gives her account.

5/22/2026 – In a recent post, R. B. Ramesh shared 31 thoughtful suggestions for students and coaches during training sessions. From concentration and independent thinking to note-taking and stamina, the ideas reflect what serious learning truly looks like. Many of these habits go beyond chess and help shape better learners and individuals. Read the full article and reflect on how many of these lessons you can apply. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

5/12/2026 – About a month ago, the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament concluded in the picturesque village of Pegia, near Paphos, Cyprus. Yevgeny Levanzov had the privilege of spending an extended time at the event and delivering three lectures there. In the following review, he covers the tournament both from a professional chess perspective and by describing the surrounding atmosphere, including the various activities offered to spectators, notable figures who came to visit and some touching human stories. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

5/5/2026 – It was a rainy night in Sivakasi, and there was a power cut, but it didn't stop 8-year-old Tamizh Amudhan from playing Freestyle Friday on chess.com. The laptop was on, the mobile hotspot was connected, the candle was lit, and the spirit was high as usual. It was 8:30 PM IST on 1 May when Tamizh Amudhan got paired up against elite GM Vincent Keymer, who recently qualified for the Freestyle World Championship 2027 after winning the Grenke Freestyle Chess tournament, and guess what happened? Check out the game in this article.

3/18/2026 – In the world of chess, some move the pieces on the board and some build the stage upon which legends are born. Laszlo Nagy, a.k.a. 'Mr. First Saturday', is a name synonymous with the vibrant chess culture of Budapest. For over three decades, he has provided a launchpad for the world's most promising talents to achieve their dreams. Laszlo is the organiser of the First Saturday chess tournament in Hungary's capital, which has been running for 35 years now.

2/15/2026 – Converting a winning position is one of the toughest skills in chess. Many players build an advantage only to see it slip away at the final stage. This article looks at how Andy Woodward mastered this crucial aspect of the game. From solving endgame studies at a young age to relying on classic chess books, Andy built strong technique, calculation, and patience. These skills played a key role in his Tata Steel Challengers 2026 win. This article offers valuable lessons for players at every level. | Photo: Tata Steel Chess / Lennart Ootes

2/7/2026 – This article talks about how a frightening diagnosis unfolds into an unexpected but tender journey. Ariana Hinckley-Boltax is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes surgeries and chemotherapy. During such an uncertain period, chess became an escape and a comfort zone for her. Her dream of attending the World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 leads her to Doha, where the experience proves far more beautiful than she imagined. Her mission was to get her chessboard signed by the players. | All photos: Ariana Hinckley-Boltax

1/30/2026 – Deboushnik De describes his rating rise from 1927 to 2430, which gained him two IM norms within a single year. He highlights the importance of mindset, planning and trusting the process during difficult phases. Deboushnik comes from North East India, where access to top-level tournaments and training resources is limited. That is why his journey is especially significant for players from the region. This could be a good reflection on setbacks, breakthroughs and the realities of chasing norms.

1/21/2026 – 19-year-old GM Pranav Anand was in superb form at the World Blitz Championship 2025. He scored impressive wins against strong players like Amin Bassem, Robert Hovhannisyan, Richard Rapport and Volodar Murzin. He finished the tournament with a score of 12/19 and obtained a 2739 TPR! In the fifth round, he faced Magnus Carlsen, a dream encounter for any young player. He has annotated his game against the world number one in this article. Check out how the exciting battle unfolded. | Photo: Shahid Ahmed