News for 'chess champion'

Divya Deshmukh finds success with confession box at Norway Chess

Divya Deshmukh finds success with confession box at Norway Chess

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Divya Deshmukh has embraced the 'confession box' at Norway Chess, highlighting its potential to enhance player clarity and viewer engagement, despite its slow adoption among Indian grandmasters.

Praggnanandhaa finishes second in Sinquefield Cup, qualifies for Grand Finale

Praggnanandhaa finishes second in Sinquefield Cup, qualifies for Grand Finale

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

India's Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa finished second in the Sinquefield Cup after losing to American Wesley So in the Armageddon game, but secured his spot in the Grand Chess Tour finale later this year.

No Khel Ratna for 2025; Tejaswin, Divya and Gayatri Gopichand among Arjuna awardees

No Khel Ratna for 2025; Tejaswin, Divya and Gayatri Gopichand among Arjuna awardees

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Seventeen Indian sportspersons, including World Cup winning chess player Divya Deshmukh, decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, and shuttler Gayatri Gopichand, have been named for the prestigious Arjuna Award for 2025.

Vishy Anand Changes His Mind, Will Contest FIDE Poll

Vishy Anand Changes His Mind, Will Contest FIDE Poll

Rediff.com29 Jul 2026

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.

'Host Vaishali-Ju World Title Match In India'

'Host Vaishali-Ju World Title Match In India'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

With D Gukesh and R Vaishali set to play world title matches, experts urge India to bid for hosting rights, calling it a major boost for the sport.

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".

FIFA World Cup: What France's chess post really means before Morocco

FIFA World Cup: What France's chess post really means before Morocco

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

France is preparing for a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Morocco, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Les Bleus, strong favourites with a perfect record and a dangerous attacking unit led by Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, are anticipating a tactical battle. Morocco, unbeaten in their last 10 matches, aims to make history for African football and secure their first-ever win against France.

Praggnanandhaa beats Sindarov for first win in Sinquefield Cup

Praggnanandhaa beats Sindarov for first win in Sinquefield Cup

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured his first victory at the Sinquefield Cup, defeating Javokhir Sindarov in a 95-move game.

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.

China's Ding Liren defies odds to become World chess champion

China's Ding Liren defies odds to become World chess champion

Rediff.com30 Apr 2023

China's Ding Liren was crowned on Sunday as the 17th world chess champion in a tense match against Russian-born Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana, Kazakhstan, in the last chapter of an odds-defying sequence of events.

Former chess champion Bobby Fischer dies

Former chess champion Bobby Fischer dies

Rediff.com18 Jan 2008

The American-born chess ace, who settled in Iceland in 2005 and was later granted Icelandic citizenship, died of an unspecified illness at the age of 64.

Chess Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Gets Assurance On Prize-Money

Chess Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Gets Assurance On Prize-Money

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, frustrated by delays in receiving prize money for winning the Odisha Open, has been assured by the All India Chess Federation that the issue will be resolved and his dues cleared.

Sports Ministry To Initiate National Awards Nominations

Sports Ministry To Initiate National Awards Nominations

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

The Sports Ministry is set to commence the nomination process for the National Sports Awards next month, following a delayed announcement of the 2025 awards. The delay was due to a re-evaluation process aimed at preserving the integrity of the honours, which resulted in no Khel Ratna awardee for 2025 and fewer Arjuna awardees than recommended. The article also details the criteria for these prestigious awards and highlights some of the notable Arjuna awardees for 2025.

Exclusive! Susan Polgar: Queen Of Chess Is Powerful

Exclusive! Susan Polgar: Queen Of Chess Is Powerful

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

Queen of Chess is a moving and powerful sports documentary about the highest-rated woman player in the history of chess. 'For me, it is a deeply personal reminder of where we came from, and what it took to get there,' notes Susan Polgar as she reviews her sister Judit Polgar's Netflix documentary, Queen Of Chess.

Indian-origin Bodhana Sivanandan Tops England's Female Chess Rankings

Indian-origin Bodhana Sivanandan Tops England's Female Chess Rankings

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

Indian-origin chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, has become England's top-rated female player, surpassing established champions and breaking into the world's top 100.

Anand crowned World chess champion

Anand crowned World chess champion

Rediff.com30 Sep 2007

World No 1 Viswanathan Anand won the World Chess Championship after a quick draw against Hungarian Peter Leko in the 14th and final round.

Indian GM Praggnanandhaa Leads Rapid Section at St. Louis

Indian GM Praggnanandhaa Leads Rapid Section at St. Louis

Rediff.com5 Aug 2026

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa of India secured the top spot in the rapid section of the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament, scoring 12 out of 18 points.

Alpine's Pierre Gasly Stuns F1 Field With Maiden Pole At Monza

Alpine's Pierre Gasly Stuns F1 Field With Maiden Pole At Monza

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

French Formula One driver Pierre Gasly secured his first career pole position at the Italian Grand Prix, driving for Alpine. He upset favourites like George Russell and Max Verstappen with a stunning final lap, marking a significant achievement for both Gasly and his team at the historic Monza circuit.

Praggnanandhaa enters Candidates Chess as underdog

Praggnanandhaa enters Candidates Chess as underdog

Rediff.com28 Mar 2026

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faces a tough challenge at the Candidates Tournament, where he will compete against top players for the chance to challenge for the World Championship title.

Indian-Origin Bodhana Sivanandan Is UK's No. 1 Women's Chess Player

Indian-Origin Bodhana Sivanandan Is UK's No. 1 Women's Chess Player

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

At just 11 years old, Bodhana Sivanandan has become Great Britain's No 1 Women's Chess player dethroning four-time British Women's Champion Lan Yao.

Magnus Carlsen Defeats Gukesh As Praggnanandhaa Stays Second

Magnus Carlsen Defeats Gukesh As Praggnanandhaa Stays Second

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Magnus Carlsen defeated D Gukesh at the Norway Chess tournament, while R Praggnanandhaa secured second place after beating Vincent Keymer. In the women's event, Divya Deshmukh lost to Anna Muzychuk, and Koneru Humpy continued to struggle.

Erling Haaland becomes strategic investor in Chess Championship Tour

Erling Haaland becomes strategic investor in Chess Championship Tour

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

Football superstar Erling Haaland has invested in Norway Chess and its Total Chess World Championship Tour, citing similarities between chess and football strategy.

Underwater chess! The game gets a thrilling twist

Underwater chess! The game gets a thrilling twist

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Hans Niemann quite literally made a splash on Wednesday, winning an underwater chess exhibition as festivities opened for the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Finals in Cape Town, where the world's elite players gathered ahead of the main competition.

Alireza Firouzja takes sole lead after stunning D Gukesh at Chennai Grand Masters 2026

Alireza Firouzja takes sole lead after stunning D Gukesh at Chennai Grand Masters 2026

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja defeated reigning world champion D Gukesh in a 69-move battle at the Chennai Grand Masters 2026, taking the sole lead after the second round. Indian players M Pranesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin all secured draws against their respective opponents in the prestigious tournament.

Why Magnus Carlsen Remains A Sporting Icon In Norway

Why Magnus Carlsen Remains A Sporting Icon In Norway

Rediff.com24 May 2026

Magnus Carlsen's popularity remains undiminished in Norway, with many believing he is unbeatable on home turf, even as he hints at moving away from classical chess.

Gukesh Dismisses Exaggerated Cheating Concerns in Chess

Gukesh Dismisses Exaggerated Cheating Concerns in Chess

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

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.

Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Secures Third Spot In Croatia

Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Secures Third Spot In Croatia

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured a tied third-place finish at the Croatian leg of the Grand Chess Tour, bouncing back with a strong performance on the final day. France's Firouzja Alireza claimed the top honours after a tie-break, while Praggnanandhaa shared his position with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Compatriot D Gukesh finished sixth.

Firouzja Maintains Lead As Chennai Grandmasters Round Four Ends In Draws

Firouzja Maintains Lead As Chennai Grandmasters Round Four Ends In Draws

Rediff.com19 Jul 2026

French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja holds a half-point lead over India's Arjun Erigaisi after all matches in Round 4 of the Chennai Grandmasters 2026 chess tournament concluded in draws. World champion D Gukesh also drew his game, while chess legend Viswanathan Anand interacted with fans at the event.

Feeling great, but focusing on next opponent: Ayush Shetty after stunning Shi Yu Qi

Feeling great, but focusing on next opponent: Ayush Shetty after stunning Shi Yu Qi

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Giant-killer Ayush Shetty on Monday described his stunning win over defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi as "special", but was quick to stress that the job is far from done at the ongoing BWF World Championships.

Firouzja Storms Into Lead; Praggnaandhaa, Gukesh Slip

Firouzja Storms Into Lead; Praggnaandhaa, Gukesh Slip

Rediff.com5 Jul 2026

Alireza Firouzja has established a dominant lead in the Croatian leg of the Grand Chess Tour after a stellar performance in the blitz section, accumulating 20 points.

Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Dominates In Zagreb

Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Dominates In Zagreb

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa began his Zagreb Grand Chess Tour campaign with an aggressive victory over top seed Vincent Keymer, showcasing a masterclass performance. While Praggnanandhaa holds a strong position, World Champion D Gukesh experienced mixed results, and Firouzja Alireza currently leads the tournament.

Alireza Firouzja wins Chennai Grand Masters; Arjun Erigaisi claims second spot

Alireza Firouzja wins Chennai Grand Masters; Arjun Erigaisi claims second spot

Rediff.com22 Jul 2026

Frenchman Alireza Firouzja has won the fourth edition of the Chennai Grand Masters chess tournament, securing the title with a draw against Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi in the final round. Firouzja finished with 4.5 points, taking home a prize purse of Rs 25 lakh.

R Vaishali Under Pressure at Chess Candidates Tournament

R Vaishali Under Pressure at Chess Candidates Tournament

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali faces a tough challenge in the Candidates chess tournament after losing her lead, while Javokhir Sindarov dominates the open section.

Gukesh held by Maghsoodloo at Prague Chess Festival

Gukesh held by Maghsoodloo at Prague Chess Festival

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

World Champion D Gukesh's struggles continue as he draws with Parham Maghsoodloo at the Prague International Chess Festival. Aravindh Chithambaram also drew his match, while Surya Shekhar Ganguly secured his first victory in the challengers' section.

Aravindh Chithambaram Defeats Gukesh in Prague Chess Festival

Aravindh Chithambaram Defeats Gukesh in Prague Chess Festival

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Aravindh Chithambaram defeated D Gukesh at the Prague International Chess Festival, while Jorden van Foreest maintains his lead in the tournament.

Women's Candidates Chess: Vaishali beats Divya to stay top

Women's Candidates Chess: Vaishali beats Divya to stay top

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

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.

Arjun Erigaisi capitalises on Gukesh's errors to share lead at Chennai Grand Masters

Arjun Erigaisi capitalises on Gukesh's errors to share lead at Chennai Grand Masters

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has moved into a joint lead with French GM Alireza Firouzja at the Chennai Grand Masters after defeating world champion D Gukesh. With only two rounds remaining, the tournament sees intense competition, including GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov also in contention, vying for a significant prize purse and FIDE Circuit points.

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.

Carlsen wins inaugural Freestyle Chess World Championship

Carlsen wins inaugural Freestyle Chess World Championship

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Magnus Carlsen has won the first FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, defeating Fabiano Caruana in the final match held in Germany.

Pragg is more dangerous than Carlsen: Pravin Thipsay

Pragg is more dangerous than Carlsen: Pravin Thipsay

Rediff.com7 Jun 2026

On current form, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa can be considered one of the most dangerous opponents in world chess, even more dangerous than world No. 1 Carlsen, says Pravind Thipsay.