News for 'Chess Academy'

VS Rathanvel secures Grandmaster title as India nears historic 100th GM mark

VS Rathanvel secures Grandmaster title as India nears historic 100th GM mark

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

V S Rathanvel has become India's 99th Grandmaster, fulfilling a five-year dream after crossing the 2500 Elo rating mark at the Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026. His achievement brings India closer to the landmark 100th GM milestone, marking a significant moment for Indian chess.

FIDE's AICF Nomination Stirs Hornet's Nest

FIDE's AICF Nomination Stirs Hornet's Nest

Rediff.com25 Jul 2026

FIDE's decision to shortlist the All India Chess Federation for a prestigious FIDE Excellence Award has ignited a fierce debate within the Indian chess community.

Vishy Anand's Academy: Where Chess Champions Are Made

Vishy Anand's Academy: Where Chess Champions Are Made

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi and Vaishali have trained at the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) that the bespectacled chess wizard set up four years ago in Chennai. The 18-year-old Gukesh and the 19-year-old Praggnanandhaa have often stated that they would not be where they are without "Vishy sir".

Anand, Kasparov renew rivalry in Clutch Chess duel

Anand, Kasparov renew rivalry in Clutch Chess duel

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Anand and Kasparov last duelled in 2021 at the Zagreb Grand Chess Tour Blitz, where Anand won both their games.

Hard Work And Resilience Are Keys To Success: Praggnanandhaa's Mother

Hard Work And Resilience Are Keys To Success: Praggnanandhaa's Mother

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

Nagalakshmi, mother of Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, shares insights into her son's success following his Norway Chess 2026 triumph, emphasising hard work and enjoying the process. She also discusses the siblings' journey into chess, their mutual support, and the significant influence of Viswanathan Anand.

Why Less Thinking Time Can Improve Strategic Decisions

Why Less Thinking Time Can Improve Strategic Decisions

Rediff.com21 May 2026

A new study suggests that complex strategic decisions may be better when made with less thinking time, highlighting the role of intuition in decision-making.

19 Year Old Grandmaster Is Anganwadi Worker's Son

19 Year Old Grandmaster Is Anganwadi Worker's Son

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

'My next aim is to go past 2700.'

CM Stalin lauds Gukesh, announces major chess initiative

CM Stalin lauds Gukesh, announces major chess initiative

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

World's youngest chess champion D Gukesh was felicitated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and others at a function organised by the state government in Chennai on Tuesday.

Gukesh hails Anand, India's chess boom

Gukesh hails Anand, India's chess boom

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Reigning world chess champion D Gukesh has stated that he is open to competing in all formats of chess, including the newly popular freestyle format, but believes that classical chess, with its rich history, will always hold the greatest significance. Despite concerns of a potential split in the sport between supporters of freestyle and classical chess, Gukesh sees no reason for division, highlighting the excitement of freestyle while acknowledging the importance of the traditional format's legacy.

India's Pranav Venkatesh is World Junior Chess Champion

India's Pranav Venkatesh is World Junior Chess Champion

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Emulates mentor Visvanathan Anand, who had won the tournament back in 1986.

Meet Harikrishnan A Ra: India's 87th chess GM

Meet Harikrishnan A Ra: India's 87th chess GM

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

Harikrishnan A Ra earned his third GM-norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France on Friday.

Vishy Anand to launch academy to train youngsters

Vishy Anand to launch academy to train youngsters

Rediff.com10 Dec 2020

Legendary Indian chess player Viswanathan Anand has joined hands with WestBridge Capital to launch an academy, through which the five-time world champion will train youngsters.

Gukesh is WORLD CHESS CHAMPION!

Gukesh is WORLD CHESS CHAMPION!

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh, 18, has claimed a historic victory over defending World Champion Ding Liren in the 14th game of the World Chess Championship in Singapore on Thursday.

3 yr old Anish is youngest rated chess player!

3 yr old Anish is youngest rated chess player!

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

Anish's emergence comes as India witnesses an exciting era in chess, with young talents like Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh shine internationally.

'The boy who would be King'

'The boy who would be King'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

Anand's post affectionately dubbed Gukesh as the 'boy who would be king'

Is Abhimanyu Mishra The Next Bobby Fischer?

Is Abhimanyu Mishra The Next Bobby Fischer?

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

'He was like a sponge. He soaked up everything we taught him -- and when it came time to play, he'd squeeze out exactly what was needed on the board during tournaments.'

This Chennai school makes chess champs out of everyone

This Chennai school makes chess champs out of everyone

Rediff.com22 Apr 2024

Velammal Institutions is the catalysing force behind this chess revolution in Chennai

Vaishali wins women's World Blitz bronze

Vaishali wins women's World Blitz bronze

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

In an event completely dominated by the Chinese, Ju Wenjun went on to snare the world title, defeating compatriot Lei Tingjie 3.5-2.5.

Meet these chess superstars!

Meet these chess superstars!

Rediff.com9 Feb 2017

10-year-old Praggnanandha is the world's youngest chess International Master. His sister Vaishali is a Woman's International Master.

'Vishy's Children Are All Grown Up'

'Vishy's Children Are All Grown Up'

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

'It is truly unfathomable how this kid would come from a country with no chess culture and not only become World Champion, but inspire generations of Indian kids to push chess forward. The legend, @vishy64theking!'

India's chess future is bright, but...

India's chess future is bright, but...

Rediff.com10 Sep 2024

Chess icon Viswanathan Anand feels the current crop of Indian players, that he has had a role in shaping, has turned out to be "great" in grabbing crucial opportunities.

No sponsors, no problem: How Gukesh funded his chess dreams

No sponsors, no problem: How Gukesh funded his chess dreams

Rediff.com3 Sep 2023

Gukesh aims to keep improving after becoming India No 1 without sponsorship support

Mumbai girl clinches bronze at World School Chess

Mumbai girl clinches bronze at World School Chess

Rediff.com28 May 2013

Nine-year-old Mumbai girl Ananya Gupta has claimed a bronze medal in the World School Chess championship held at Haldikki in Greece.

'Sometimes I don't even look at the Chess board': Praggnanandhaa

'Sometimes I don't even look at the Chess board': Praggnanandhaa

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

Playing chess all year round can take a huge toll on the physical and mental aspects of a player and Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa acknowledged that sometimes he has to completely take his mind off the sport to prepare for the upcoming challenges.

Ding's blunder or Gukesh's genius? Anand responds

Ding's blunder or Gukesh's genius? Anand responds

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

Indian Grandmaster Gukesh made history on Thursday, becoming the youngest-ever to win the world title defeating Liren in the 14th and final game of the championship in Singapore.

Chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa 'still has room for improvement'

Chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa 'still has room for improvement'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

Asked if the teenaged GM from Chennai needs to tone down on his aggression, Ramesh said, "I don't think so. That is one of his strengths. But, he must also learn every aspect of the game, not just aggression..."

We can have next Chess World Champion from India by 2025: Viswanthan Anand

We can have next Chess World Champion from India by 2025: Viswanthan Anand

Rediff.com7 Sep 2022

Anand firmly believes that India has enough talent to produce the next Chess World Champion

How Indians Dominate World Chess

How Indians Dominate World Chess

Rediff.com13 Jun 2022

In 2019, World Champion Magnus Carlsen was asked to guess the nationality of the reigning world champion in 2050. He responded: 'India will have had many by then!'

Gukesh expresses gratitude to Viswanathan Anand

Gukesh expresses gratitude to Viswanathan Anand

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

'I am truly grateful to him and wouldn't have been close to what I am now if it wasn't for him.'

I'm World Champion, but Magnus is the best: D Gukesh

I'm World Champion, but Magnus is the best: D Gukesh

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

D Gukesh reflects on his historic world chess championship victory

Mumbai chess prodigy Kush creates history in UAE

Mumbai chess prodigy Kush creates history in UAE

Rediff.com30 Dec 2016

The second standard student of the NSS Hill Spring International School reigned supreme in all the three categories - rapid, blitz and standard -- and achieved the feat of being the only Indian to bag all the crowns in the 1st Western Asia Youth Chess Championship.

How chess became prodigy Praggnanandhaa's calling

How chess became prodigy Praggnanandhaa's calling

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

'The win will change a lot of things in Praggu... the confidence in his potential will be one of them. The win has ensured a lot of visibility which will give him a lot of opportunities.'

Chess plays on while other sports struggle to cope with COVID-19

Chess plays on while other sports struggle to cope with COVID-19

Rediff.com28 May 2020

FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich said the chess world was moving online which would help the sport reach its full potential.

Ratan Tata: A lifelong champion of Indian sports

Ratan Tata: A lifelong champion of Indian sports

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Tata group has been a constant in India's sporting landscape and the conglomerate's involvement only grew under Ratan Tata.

It's historic... have to admit that: Anand on Gukesh overtaking him

It's historic... have to admit that: Anand on Gukesh overtaking him

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

Viswanathan Anand on Saturday described 17-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh overtaking him as the highest-rated Indian player in FIDE rankings as a "historic" achievement.

World Chess C'ship: Vishy Anand to turn commentator

World Chess C'ship: Vishy Anand to turn commentator

Rediff.com15 Oct 2021

'FIDE had tweeted: "Who better to be a commentator for the upcoming World Championship in Dubai than a person who has fought Carlsen in two matches himself?"'

Praggnanandhaa's mom steals the show at World Cup

Praggnanandhaa's mom steals the show at World Cup

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

Praggnanandhaa, who has reached the summit clash featuring legendary five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, had none other than the iconic Gary Kasparov, acknowledging the Indian GM's mother's role

Upton's mental masterclass: The secret behind Gukesh's triumph

Upton's mental masterclass: The secret behind Gukesh's triumph

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

D Gukesh credited mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton for helping him tame the 'emotional pressure' of competing at the World Chess Championship.

Why Anand opted out of playing Chess Olympiad

Why Anand opted out of playing Chess Olympiad

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

The 44th edition of the prestigious event will witness a record 188 teams in the Open section and 162 in the women's side.

Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi wins Tata Steel Challengers

Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi wins Tata Steel Challengers

Rediff.com30 Jan 2022

With the triumph, the Indian GM qualifies for next year's Tata Steel Masters Group.