American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has criticised the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for its stringent anti-cheating measures at the Candidates Tournament in Cyprus.
World Chess Champion D. Gukesh has decided to reduce his tournament schedule to focus on training and preparation for his upcoming title defence, following a series of disappointing performances.
Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan has significantly increased his lead in the Candidates chess tournament after defeating India's R Praggnanandhaa. In the women's section, R Vaishali leads after drawing with Anna Muzychuk.
R Vaishali kept Indian hopes alive by defeating Divya Deshmukh in the ninth round of the Women's Candidates Chess Tournament, while Anish Giri's victory impacted Fabiana Caruana's chances in the open section.
Danish FA President Jesper Moller has renewed calls for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down, citing FIFA's refusal to answer 'critical questions' regarding its abandoned proposal to sell commercial stakes in tournaments.
Indian men's doubles badminton player Satwiksairaj Rankireddy discusses the reasons behind his and Chirag Shetty's unexpected first-round exit from the Asian Games. He highlights the need to improve their mental game and acknowledges their opponents' strong comeback, while Chirag Shetty admits they could have played smarter.
The International Cricket Council has announced that India will host the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy from February 14 to 28, with matches scheduled in Mumbai and Vadodara. Sri Lanka was originally slated to host but was replaced due to ongoing governance issues in its cricket board. Six top women's teams will compete in this landmark tournament.
Indian chess Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, who turned 21, has already amassed a remarkable list of achievements, including becoming a Grandmaster at 12, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 4, and recently winning the Grand Chess Tour St Louis Rapid and Blitz title.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is campaigning for re-election by positioning himself as the advocate for less wealthy football nations, while UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running against him but anticipates an opposition candidate.
Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali remains in contention at the Women's Candidates Chess tournament after drawing with Zhongyi Tan, while Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan won the open section. Key final round matchups are set to determine the final standings.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir revealed that dropping Sanju Samson from the England tour was his toughest decision, despite Samson being the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup. Gambhir explained that while Samson was temporarily replaced by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the team prioritised returning to their established World Cup-winning combination. He also addressed the issue of player injuries and the challenge of Shubman Gill not having a full-strength team, emphasising the importance of long-term performance and providing opportunities for new talent.
The FIDE elections will see three Indians, including chess legend Viswanathan Anand, vying for crucial leadership positions amidst a complex electoral landscape and a high-stakes three-way presidential battle.
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson admits that external criticism affects him, but he has developed the maturity and experience to manage it, while also supporting the team's leadership for making difficult selection decisions in the best interest of the squad.
In the women's section, World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh turned the tables on overnight leader Anna Muzychuk to jump into joint lead with four others.
Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers, led by World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, defeated FYERS American Gambits 9-7 in a critical Global Chess League match. Carlsen ended Javokhir Sindarov's winning streak, while Gujrathi secured a marathon victory, propelling Pipers closer to a final berth.
Denmark's football association (DBU) has declared it has lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino and will seek a credible alternative for the 2027 election, citing a 'fundamental crisis of confidence' over his aborted proposal to sell commercial stakes in FIFA tournaments.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi discusses D Gukesh's mental strength challenge for his World Championship defence against Javokhir Sindarov, highlighting Gukesh's recent inconsistent form. Vidit also assesses India's strong prospects for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, praising the form of players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Sarin, while cautioning against overconfidence. He also reflects on his Arjuna Award and the need for better organisation in chess formats.
The FIDE World Championship Match 2026 will feature reigning champion Gukesh D and challenger Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva, Switzerland. Both players will be 20, making it the youngest World Championship contest in history and signalling a generational shift in chess. The match will consist of 14 classical games, with tie-breaks if needed.
FYERS American Gambits defeated Triveni Continental Kings to retain their top position in the Global Chess League standings, ahead of Alpine APL Pipers. Other matches saw Ganges Grandmasters secure a dominant win over Continental Kings, while Mumba Masters suffered two defeats, including a loss to PBG Alaskan Knights. The Gambits, Pipers, and Grandmasters have all won four matches, with Gambits having played one more round.
Naomi Osaka's US Open campaign, though ending in defeat, was marked by her bold fashion choices and a profound reflection on her life as a mother, redefining her approach to Grand Slam success.
Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has expressed doubts about Sanju Samson's suitability as a backup opener for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, citing consistency issues in ODI cricket.
In the Global Chess League, Ganges Grandmasters ended FYER American Gambits' winning streak with a 9-7 victory, moving to second place. Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers secured their second consecutive win, defeating Ganges Grandmasters 11-6. Key players like Polina Shuvalova, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Koneru Humpy delivered crucial performances, while Magnus Carlsen showcased his endgame prowess with a draw against Nepomniachtchi. PBG Alaskan Knights also registered a comfortable win against CheQ Mumba Masters.
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has offered insights into Shubman Gill's captaincy style, comparing him to Hardik Pandya and noting Gill's reserved yet keen approach to leadership. Nehra also discussed the uncertain future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating it's too early to predict. He also touched upon his own coaching ambitions and reflected on past World Cup losses.
'Being the defending champions certainly gives us confidence, but every Olympiad is a new event and starts from scratch.'
India's Hockey World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after a 5-3 defeat to Argentina, highlighting persistent defensive issues and a struggle to perform against top-ranked teams. The team's problems, including conceding early goals and a lack of intensity, had been building throughout the year.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faced a setback at the Candidates chess tournament, while Javokhir Sindarov increased his lead.
Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran has offered advice to World Champion D Gukesh ahead of his title defence against Javokhir Sindarov. Sasikiran highlights Gukesh's tendency for time trouble due to complex play and suggests improving technique, speed, and defensive accuracy. He also advises Gukesh to identify and exploit opponent weaknesses, while acknowledging Sindarov's strong preparation and reliance on memory and speed.
Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov has won the Candidates Chess Tournament, earning the right to challenge India's D Gukesh for the World Chess Championship title in 2026.
Former Italy international Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn from contention for the national team's head coach position after his commercial ties to Russian betting company Fonbet drew significant criticism and opposition from Italian football officials and lawmakers.
'India should hold several high-level chess tournaments that would attract the world's top players so that the country will have a say in the game.'
World champion D Gukesh is set to face Nihal Sarin in a highly anticipated first-round match at the Chennai Grand Masters 2026 chess tournament. The event features eight Grandmasters, including four Indians, competing for a prize purse of Rs 75,00,000 and crucial FIDE Circuit points in a double-round robin format.
Former world blitz and rapid champion Anna Muzychuk discusses the upcoming World Chess Championships, highlighting the importance of psychological momentum and pressure handling for Indian players D Gukesh and R Vaishali.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's ambitious plan to sell a 20% stake in a commercial entity managing the World Cup and other tournaments to private investors has been abandoned following widespread opposition, including a boycott threat from UEFA.
VVS Laxman is reportedly being considered to replace Ajit Agarkar as the chief selector for the BCCI, whose extended tenure ends next month.
Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand has reversed his earlier decision not to seek another term and will contest the election for the FIDE Deputy President's post.
World Champion D Gukesh believes concerns about cheating in chess are overblown and distances himself from Vladimir Kramnik's accusations. He also looks ahead to the Candidates Tournament.
Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title.
India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, expressed disappointment over their inability to convert attacking opportunities and losing the crucial battle over the first four shots and service, leading to their quarterfinal exit at the World Championships.
Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin believes team chemistry will be vital for Fyers American Gambits' success in the upcoming Global Chess League. The tournament, featuring elite players and a unique team format, will also serve as preparation for the Chess Olympiad. Sarin highlights the challenge and excitement of integrating diverse playing styles into a cohesive unit.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa is set to compete against Alireza Firouzja of France in the opening round of the Super Chess Classic in Bucharest, marking his first classical event of the year as part of the Grand Chess Tour.
