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"It Was Solely My Decision": Harika Dronavalli on Stepping Back From Team India

15/08/2026 -

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: Koneru Humpy 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.

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Fundraiser launched to support Deekshitha Modipalli’s Grandmaster dream

15/08/2026 -

At just 14, Deekshitha Modipalli has already made a remarkable mark on the Indian chess scene. In the span of just two months, she climbed from a rating of 1985 to 2400+, gaining nearly 450 rating points across four tournaments and securing an IM norm along the way. Now, as she looks to take the next steps towards her Grandmaster dream, her family has launched a fundraiser to help support the costs of training, tournaments and travel. Read the article to learn more.

Cairns Cup 2026 R5: A Peaceful Day at the Office, All Games End in a Draw

15/08/2026 -

In the 5th round of the Cairns Cup, all the games ended in a solid draw. The only game that could be decisive was Alice Lee against tournament leader Tan Zhongyi. Alice had a clear winning position, but she failed to convert it, and the game ended in a draw. Divya made a quick draw against Bibisara Assaubayeva. The Indian clash of Koneru Humpy and Vaishali Rameshbabu also ended in a draw. 15th August is a rest day for players, and the 6th round will start on 16th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Sinquefield Cup 2026 R5: Pragg drew against Wesley, Caruana beats Aronian

15/08/2026 -

The Sinquefield Cup 2026 is past the halfway mark now; after 5 rounds of play, Wesley So is in the sole lead with 3.5/5 points. Fabiano Caruana, Vincent Keymer, R Praggnanandhaa and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave are in joint second place with 3/5 points. In the 5th round, Vincent Keymer defeated Anish Giri and Fabiano Caruana won against Levon Aronian; all other games ended in a draw. 15th August is a rest day for players, and the 6th round will start on 16th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photo: Crystal Fuller

Cairns Cup 2026 R4: Tan Zhongyi Gains Sole Lead, Divya Survives a Scare

14/08/2026 -

In the 4th round of the Cairns Cup, Tan Zhongyi defeated Vaishali to gain a sole one-point lead with 3.5/4 points. Alice Lee suffered a loss against Stavroula Tsolakidou. In another decisive game, Bibisara Assubayeva defeated Alexandra Kosteniuk. The game between Divya Deshmukh and Carissa Yip was a rollercoaster ride in which Divya survived a completely lost position to secure a draw. Currently, Divya is in joint second place with 2.5/4. The 5th round will start on 14th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Ken Chess Academy Invites Chess Lovers of All Ages to a Free Independence Day Camp

14/08/2026 -

Ken Chess Academy, led by Rohit Pol, FIDE D.I. and Senior National Arbiter, brings the Big Chess Camp — the brainchild of ChessBase India and Teach Chess India — to Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur, this Independence Day. As always, the camp is free and open to chess enthusiasts of all ages and playing levels. Whether you are an absolute beginner still learning the rules or a seasoned player looking to sharpen your skills, the event promises something for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know about the camp, including the venue, timings, and what to expect.

Sinquefield Cup 2026 R4: Praggnanandhaa Scores a Win over Jorden van Foreest

14/08/2026 -

In the 4th round of the Sinquefield Cup, there was only 1 decisive game where R. Praggnanandhaa defeated Jorden van Foreest with white pieces. Jorden gave up his queen for 2 pieces, and Pragg managed to keep his advantage and navigated perfectly in the endgame towards victory. With this win, Pragg is now in joint second place with 2.5/4 points; meanwhile, Wesley So maintains his lead with 3/4 points. The 5th round will start on 14th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi enter EWC Chess 2026 Playoffs

14/08/2026 -

After the dust settles in the Group Stage, the final 8 players are confirmed for the Playoffs at the Esports World Cup 2026. Nihal Sarin of S8UL and Arjun Erigaisi of GenG Esports are qualified for the playoffs. Nihal Sarin is going to face Magnus Carlsen in the quarterfinals, while Arjun will face Hikaru Nakamura. The other 4 players who qualified are Alireza Firouzja, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Hans Niemann, and Denis Lazavik. The next two days are going to be very exciting in Paris! Photos: EWC

Your chance to train with GM Harshit Raja at the new ChessBase India office

13/08/2026 -

Grandmaster Harshit Raja is coming to Mumbai. From 17th to 19th August 2026, the 2504-rated GM will conduct two intensive camps at ChessBase India's new Vidyavihar office - mornings on the secrets of positional chess for beginners, evenings on calculation for players rated 1800 and above. Both groups are kept small, so this is closer to private training than a lecture. Registration is open now, and seats are limited.

Story of India's 96th Grandmaster Ethan Vaz

13/08/2026 -

Fourteen-year-old Ethan Vaz landed in Mumbai still riding high from a life-changing trip across Europe. In just a few whirlwind weeks, the young Goan chess player won the Sarajevo GM Mix in Bosnia and Herzegovina, secured his final Grandmaster norm, and became India's 96th Grandmaster. Hardly stopping to celebrate, he kept the momentum going, capping off his trip with a third-place finish at the Serbia Open Masters.

How did 14-year-old Deekshitha Modipalli reach 2400+ from 1985 in just one month

13/08/2026 -

Every once in a while, a young player comes along whose rise is hard to ignore. The most recent one is 14-year-old Deekshitha Modipalli, who, in just two months, gained nearly 450 Elo points, crossed the 2400 mark, and picked up an IM norm along the way. This talented girl has been travelling independently to chess tournaments since she was just 10 years old. Let's take a look at her incredible run!

Sinquefield Cup 2026 R3: Wesley So Beats Caruana Fabiano to Gain Sole Lead

13/08/2026 -

In the 3rd round of the Sinquefield Cup 2026, there were 3 decisive results. Praggnanandhaa lost to Vincent Keymer with black pieces. Sam Sevian defeated Anish Giri, and Wesley So defeated Fabiano Caruana to gain the sole lead. The games between Javokhir Sindarov vs. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Jorden van Foreest vs. Levon Aronian ended in a draw. The 4th round will start on 13th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Cairns Cup 2026 R3: Divya Deshmukh Beats Former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk

13/08/2026 -

In the 3rd round of the Cairns Cup 2026, Divya Deshmukh defeated former Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk with black pieces. Divya secured an early opening advantage in a closed Sicilian Defence and converted it smoothly with black pieces. It was the only decisive result of the round, and now Divya is in second place with 2/3 points. The 4th round will start on 13th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Praggnanandhaa Takes Down World Championship Challenger Javokhir Sindarov

12/08/2026 -

R. Praggnanandhaa scored a big win against World Championship Challenger Javokhir Sindarov in the 2nd round of the Sinquefield Cup 2026. Praggnanandhaa was pressing in the Rook Knight endgame, and eventually Sindarov made a mistake, and Pragg won the 6-hour-long marathon game in 95 moves. There were 3 more decisive results where Aronian won against Vincent Keymer, MVL won against Sam Sevian, and Wesley So defeated Jorden van Foreest. The 3rd round will start on 12th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

Cairns Cup 2026 R2: Alice Lee and Tan Zhongyi Score 2nd Consecutive Win

12/08/2026 -

Tan Zhongyi and Alice Lee scored their second consecutive wins at the Cairns Cup 2026. In the 2nd round, Tan Zhongyi defeated Koneru Humpy with the white pieces, and Alice Lee defeated Divya Deshmukh with black. In another decisive result, Carissa Yip won against Alexandra Kosteniuk. The Game between Bibisara Assaubayeva and Vaishali ended in a draw. The 3rd round will start on 12th August at 12 PM Local Time / 10:30 PM IST. Photos: Lennart Ootes

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