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

1/13/2026 – A little girl in Jaipur picked up a chess piece at age four, simply because she was curious. Three years later, that same child is winning State, National and International titles! This is the story of seven-year-old Shreyanshi Jain. She is a fearless player who does not hesitate to take risks on the board. Her rise includes big wins, tough lessons and a support system that allows her to dream freely. At the Asian Schools Championship, she brought home medals in all three formats: Classical, Rapid and Blitz. Read the article to see how it all unfolded and what shaped her early success.

12/27/2025 – There is a certain simplicity in how meaningful initiatives begin. In this article, we look at one such story that started with four schoolboys and a game they loved. Aaditya, Nehan, Krish and Vivaan are young chess players from Mumbai who chose to share the joy of chess with more people. They named the initiative Chess4Change. It began as a few teaching sessions at the AngelXpress Foundation in Sewri and slowly grew into something larger, moving from in-person workshops to online sessions, and later into partnerships that helped distribute chess sets in tribal schools and paediatric care centres. | Photo: Mid-day

12/17/2025 – There are many stories about chess changing individual lives. This one is about a small coastal village in Tamil Nadu, called Neerodi, where the game slowly changed everyday habits. For years, the village was known for gambling. When chess entered the scene, it brought a new way to spend time. The change slowly started becoming visible through IA Ephrame's "Chess Replaces Gambling" project. With the dedication of Jain Marlet, chess reached more children and families across the village. Today, the change is visible in the choices people make in the village.

9/29/2025 – Hatsun Chess Academy is one of the fastest-growing chess academies in India. It's supported by Hatsun Agro Products Ltd. and envisioned by GM Vishnu Prasanna, the former coach of World Champion D Gukesh. It's known for its holistic approach that combines chess, fitness, and mental conditioning. The academy has already become home to many rising talents. With its rapid growth, Hatsun Chess Academy is now looking to expand its coaching team. If you are an International Master with a passion for coaching, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Read on to know how to apply.

9/27/2025 – Gukesh..Gukesh..Gukesh..the crowd screamed, welcoming the youngest-ever world chess champion on the stage. A bit overwhelmed, but extremely calm and composed, the 19-year-old youngster took the stage in a foreign land where people waited to watch him. And as humble as he is, Gukesh shared his thoughts on the stage! As the audience cheered in applause, he said, "Just keep loving chess". Gukesh was invited to be a part of a two-day event in Poland, and these were two of the most incredible days that we have spent with Gukesh! | All photos and videos by Aditya Sur Roy.

8/23/2025 – On 8 August, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu gave a simultaneous exhibition at the IMC office in Mumbai. His mother, Nagalakshmi, was also present. Amruta Mokal seized the moment to speak with her, and what followed was a special interview where Nagalakshmi opened up about the journey of raising India's golden siblings of chess, Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali. She revealed the amount of planning and support that goes into nurturing world-class talents. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

6/29/2025 – Norway Chess was one of the most exciting tournaments this year. Whether due to the games or due to Magnus Carlsen banging the table after his defeat against the World Champion, the event caught the attention of spectators all around the world. After coming back from the tournament, Gukesh had a candid conversation with Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal. He started the tournament with two unexpected losses. Yet quickly bounced back! In this interview, Gukesh discussed his games, his fighting spirit and, of course, the unforgettable viral incident. | Photo: Michal Walusza

4/4/2025 – Our composing tourney, My First Endgame Study, has come to a close, and we are excited to announce the award winners. This inaugural event, a joint venture between the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC) and ChessBase India, drew an impressive response from the chess community, with 35 budding composers submitting a total of 60 entries. The tourney provided a platform for newcomers to showcase their skills and creativity in endgame study composition. We are delighted to present the standout entries that caught the attention of our judge and mentor, Gady Costeff. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their enthusiastic participation. Special thanks are due to Marjan Kovačević, president of the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC), without whose invaluable support and encouragement this event would not have been possible.

3/29/2025 – Pentala Harikrishna, one of India's finest chess grandmasters, has built a life in Prague, blending his passion for chess with a deep connection to the city. In an insightful interview with Sagar Shah, Harikrishna shares his journey - from his rise in the global chess rankings to his experiences working with world champions Gukesh and Ju Wenjun. As they explore Prague's landmarks, he reflects on the challenges of professional chess, the evolving landscape of Indian chess and the importance of unwavering support from family. | Photo: Amruta Mokal

1/18/2025 – Indian chess celebrates a remarkable milestone as Gukesh Dommaraju and Vantika Agrawal are honoured with prestigious national awards for their outstanding achievements. Gukesh, the youngest undisputed world chess champion in history and a double gold medallist at the 45th Chess Olympiad, received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024. Vantika, who also clinched double gold at the Olympiad and a silver at the 19th Asian Games, received the Arjuna Award 2024.