News
FIDE Women's Candidates 2026: Can R Vaishali make history? All scenarios explained
10+ hour, 19+ min ago (339+ words) The marathon has reached its final sprint. After 13 rounds of intense battles, Grandmaster R. Vaishali now stands on the brink of making history. In a dramatic 13th round, China's Zhu Jiner faltered under pressure against Aleksandra Goryachkina, giving Vaishali a vital lifeline....
Meet the 20-year-old who took up chess to avoid sleep, returned after boredom with 'Counter-Strike', and stormed the Candidates with a round to spare
11+ hour, 19+ min ago (476+ words) The chess world has a new "Windarov," and he is blowing toward the World Championship throne. In a display of dominance rarely seen in the modern era, 20-year-old Uzbek Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov clinicaly secured the FIDE Candidates 2026 title on Tuesday....
From 6th to joint leader: R Vaishali reclaims the lead as open race tightens
6+ day, 6+ hour ago (417+ words) Vaishali's unstoppable momentum has fully returned. Following a sluggish start to the 2026 FIDE Candidates in Cyprus, India's R. Vaishali has orchestrated a stunning turnaround, dismantling compatriot Divya Deshmukh in just 31 moves to seize a share of the lead in the Women's…...
Candidates: Divya Deshmukh wins from a 'lost' position while R. Praggnanandhaa's hopes fade
1+ week, 13+ hour ago (395+ words) The second half of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament has begun with a lightning strike. In a round defined by a "thousand-yard stare" and an unbelievable blunder, the standings in Cyprus have been turned upside down. While Javokhir Sindarov continues to…...
The Uzbek phenom and the Indian hunt: Candidates 2026 halfway report
1+ week, 1+ day ago (514+ words) The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus has reached its midpoint, and the chess world is witnessing a historical anomaly. As the players take a well-earned rest before the second half resumes this Tuesday, the narrative is split: an absolute coronation…...
FIDE under pressure as safety concerns cloud Candidates 2026: Dismisses concerns as "unfounded"
3+ week, 11+ hour ago (392+ words) The Mediterranean island of Cyprus has become the center of a high-stakes standoff in the chess world. While FIDE, the world chess governing body, remains resolute that the 2026 Candidates Tournament will proceed as planned, the withdrawal of Indian Grandmaster Koneru…...
Mentally peaking: Anand backs Praggnanandhaa to find his edge in a war-looming Cyprus for the Candidates 2026
4+ week, 1+ day ago (320+ words) The tournament, set to take place at the St. Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus, finds itself under a cloud of geopolitical concern. Despite a drone strike on a nearby British airbase on March 1 and the proximity to the West Asia…...
21st crown: Magnus Carlsen escapes the noose to claim first Freestyle World title
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (307+ words) In the seaside German town of Weissenhaus, Magnus Carlsen added the one missing piece to his unparalleled trophy cabinet. By defeating Fabiano Caruana 2. 51. 5 in the finale of the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, Carlsen claimed his 21st world title, demonstrating once…...
Magnus Carlsen's winning streak was bought to halt as Gukesh and Arjun join him at the Summit on day 1
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (457+ words) The opening day of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship in Doha concluded with a five-way tie for the lead, as Indian stars D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi joined Magnus Carlsen at the top of the standings. Alongside Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Vladislav…...