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GM Mitrabha Guha dominates Indian National Blitz Championship 2025

by Shahid Ahmed – 26/03/2025

GM Mitrabha Guha (RSPB) scored an unbeaten 10.5/11 to win National Blitz Championship 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the rest. The reigning National champion, GM Karthik Venkataraman (AP) scored 9.5/11 to secure second place. GM Pranesh M (TN) once again scored 9/11. However, his rank became third. Mitrabha’s sole draw was against Karthik and he defeated Pranesh in Round 7 and 10 respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹250000. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹40000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each. The one-day Blitz rating tournament was organized by Ranchi District Chess Association on 23rd March 2025 at Sarala Birla University in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This is Mitrabha’s fifth overall, fourth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Navjot Alang

Mitrabha’s fifth National triumph

GM Mitrabha Guha (RSPB) was the sole leader 9.5/10, heading into the final round. GM Karthik Venkataraman (AP) was the only player trailing by a half point at 9/10. Mitrabha defeated FM Kaivalya Sandip Nagare (MAH) to become the champion. IM Nitin S (RSPB) drew with Karthik and the latter secured second place. IM Ratnakaran K (RSPB) lost to GM Pranesh M (TN) and he finished third. Kaivalya scored 8.5/11 to finish seventh. He is the highest non-GM/IM finisher. FM Ritvik Krishnan (MAH) is the only other non-GM top ten finisher. He scored 8/11 to be placed tenth. The highest untitled finisher is Soham Roy. He scored 8/11 to finish 13th. Among the female participants, WGM Priyanka Nutakki (AP) scored an impressive 8/11 to claim 18th place. She is the top female finisher of the event and the only one in top 30.

Champion – GM Mitrabha Guha (RSPB) 10.5/11 | Photo: Navjot Alang

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Karthik Venkataraman (AP) 9.5/11, 1st GM Mitrabha Guha (RSPB) 10.5/11 and 3rd GM Pranesh M (TN) 9/11 | Photo: Navjot Alang
GM Mitrabha Guha (RSPB) scored an unbeaten 10.5/11, finished a full point ahead of the rest and gained 18.8 Elo rating points

Arbiters’ team | Photo: IA Jayant Kumar Bhuyan

The tournament hall at Sara Birla University in Ranchi, Jharkhand | Photo: IA Jayant Kumar Bhuyan

A total of 273 players including 11 GMs, 22 IMs and 3 WGMs took part from all over the country in this one-day eleven-round Swiss League Blitz Rating tournament. It was organized by Ranchi District Chess Association on 23rd March 2025 at Sarala Birla University in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The time control was 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.

From Mitrabha Guha dominates National Blitz Championship 2025 – ChessBase India

Iniyan Pa becomes Indian National Rapid 2025 Champion

by Shahid Ahmed – 24/03/2025

GM Iniyan Pa (TN), GM Pranesh M (TN), GM P Shyam Nikhil (TN) and GM Diptayan Ghosh scored 9/11 each at National Rapid Championship 2025. Iniyan won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively. Only Iniyan remained undefeated among them. Top 17 finishers are only GMs and IMs. That certainly speaks volumes about the strength of the event. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹75000, ₹60000 and ₹50000 along with a trophy each. The three-day rapid rating tournament was organized by Ranchi District Chess Association from 20th to 22nd March 2025 at Sarala Birla University in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This is Iniyan’s fourth tournament triumph of the year.

Top four score 9/11

GM Iniyan Pa (TN) and GM Pranesh M (TN) were coleaders 8.5/10, heading into the final round. Six players – IM Srihari L R (TN), GM Raja Rithvik R (TEL), IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB), GM P Shyam Nikhil (RSPB), GM Sayantan Das (RSPB) and the defending champion, GM Diptayan Ghosh (RSPB) were trailing by a half point at 8/10 each. Aronyak and Sayantan drew with Pranesh and Iniyan respectively. Srihari lost to Shyam. Iniyan became champion, Pranesh second and Shyam third.

Champion – GM Iniyan Pa (TN) 9/11

Top 3 (L to R): 3rd GM P Shyam Nikhil (RSPB) 9/11, 1st GM Iniyan Pa (TN) 9/11 and 2nd GM Pranesh M (TN) 9/11 | Photo: Navjot Alang
GM Iniyan Pa (TN) scored an unbeaten 9/11, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 8.1 Elo rating points

Players in action | Photo: IA Jayant Kumar Bhuyan

Arbiters’ team | Photo: IA Jayant Kumar Bhuyan

The tournament hall at Sarala Birla University in Ranchi, Jharkhand | Photo: IA Jayant Kumar Bhuyan

A total of 296 players including 11 GMs, 24 IMs and 3 WGMs took part from all over the country in this three-day eleven-round Swiss League Rapid Rating tournament. It was organized by Ranchi District Chess Association from 20th to 22nd March 2025 at Sarala Birla University in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The time control was 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment.

From Iniyan Pa becomes National Rapid 2025 Champion – ChessBase India

GM Nihal Sarin Wins 18th Tashkent Open

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) 7.5/10, 1st GM Nihal Sarin 8/10 and 3rd GM Abhimanyu Puranik 7.5/10 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

by Shahid Ahmed – 30/03/2025

GM Nihal Sarin drew against GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) to win 18th Tashkent Open, Agzamov Memorial 2025 Open A (≥1800). He finished a half point ahead of the rest as both GM Abhimanyu Puranik and GM Sanan Sjugirov (HUN) drew their games against GM Aleksandar Indjic (SRB) and GM S L Narayanan respectively. Sanan secured second place and Abhimanyu third according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was US$ 75000. The top three prizes were US$ 20000, 10000 and 7000 along with a trophy each. GM Aditya Mittal is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 7/10 to finish tenth. This was Nihal’s first Classical rating tournament in 2025 and he won it convincingly. Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

Nihal wins two consecutive tournaments in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

The last Standard rating tournament Nihal Sarin won was 3rd President Cup in November 2024 in Uzbekistan. He started 2025 by winning the first Standard rating tournament he played. WFM Shubhi Gupta became the top female performer. She scored 6/10 to finish 44th overall and first among female participants

Top 3 Women (L to R): 2nd WFM Tatyana Getman 5.5/10, 1st WFM Shubhi Gupta 6/10 and 3rd WFM Varvara Poliakova 5.5/10 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

A total of 153 players including 20 GMs, 32 IMs, a WIM took part from 15 countries across the world in Open A (≥1800). The ten day ten-round Swiss league rating tournament was organized by Uzbekistan Chess Federation at International Chess Academy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 20th to 29th March. It had a time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.

National Electricity Transmission wins Mongolian Corporate Chess Championship

The Mongolian Chess Federation (MCF), in collaboration with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), successfully organized the inaugural National Corporate Chess Championship, which concluded on March 29, 2025, in Ulaanbaatar. The event aimed to promote chess within the corporate community, foster strategic thinking, and strengthen professional relationships among Mongolian businesses.

Inspired by the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship, the competition was spearheaded by Zandanshatar Gombojav (standing at left below), President of the Mongolian Chess Federation and Head of the Presidential Office of Mongolia.

The championship featured 24 teams from Mongolia’s Top 100 enterprises, including Khan Bank, Shunkhlai LLC, APU, Digital Concept LLC (GS25 chain), Sod Mongol Group, Golomt Bank, Tavan Bogd Foods, Monos Pharm, and others.

Each team consisted of five players, with a professional chess player on board one, while the remaining team members were employees of the participating corporations. The tournament followed the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship format.

The National Electricity Transmission Network team (pictured above) claimed first place, followed by the Golomt bank in second, Erdenet Industry LLC in third, Sod Mongol Group in fourth and Murun Villa LLC in fifth place. All winning teams received prizes from the $25,000 prize fund, and the champions were awarded a handmade, gold-plated trophy.

Both the Mongolian Chess Federation and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed their satisfaction with the event’s success. They emphasized the importance of integrating chess into corporate culture to enhance critical thinking and decision-making skills among professionals.

Encouraged by the positive response from participating companies, the organizers plan to make the National Corporate Chess Championship an annual event. They aim to increase participation, elevate the level of competition, and even compete in the next edition of the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship.

Written by WGM Enkhtuul Altan-Ulzii, FIDE Delegate of the Mongolian Chess Federation

Photos: mongolchamber.mn

From National Electricity Transmission Network wins inaugural Mongolian Corporate Chess Championship – International Chess Federation

Mohamad Sacar Wins 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rating Tournament

Mohamad Sacar of the Philippines swept his assignments and scored 5.0 points to rule the 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament held March 29-30, 2025 at the National Olympic Committee headquarters in Vientiane, Laos. In photo, Sacar (center) receives his trophy from Laos Chess Federation president John Vilavane Inthava (left) and FIDE National Arbiter Roberto Suelo Jr.,
The Bangkok, Thailand based chess instructor Sacar opened his campaign with a win over Alanda Kittikhoun of Laos, then followed it up with victories over Xiang Fan of China, Yupan Fan of China , Candidate Master Yang Chi of Laos and and Khonsavanh Senglek of Laos.
The Cotabato City native Sacar received the 1 million kip cash prize plus trophy and a gold medal for his efforts in this 2-day standard tournament organized by Vilavane Inthava assisted by FIDE National Arbiter Roberto Suelo Jr., and Merlinda Suelo.
Yupan Fan, Yang Chi and Senglek finished with identical 4.0 points.
The fifth to 10th placers were Woman Candidate Master Maly Inthavong (3.5 points), Souphaphone Sihanath (3.5 points), Ryzia Lei Zheysha Suelo (3.5 points), Xiang Fan (3.0 points), Souminta Yomvilath (3.0 points) and Pham Bao Ngan (3.0 points).-Marlon Bernardino-

$80,000 Asian Individual Chess Championship 6-16 May 2025 in Al Ain, UAE

The Road to the World Cup: Asian Individual Chess Championship 2025

May 6 – May 16, 2025 | Danat Hotel & Resorts, Al Ain, UAE

The Asian Individual Chess Championship 2025 is more than just a tournament—it’s a gateway to the FIDE World Cup, where the world’s best players compete on the global stage. Are you ready to take the challenge and claim your place among the elite?

The UAE Chess Federation and Al Ain Chess and Mind Games Club on behalf of the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE invite Asian National Federations to participate in the Asian Individual Chess Championships (Open and Women’s) from 6th (arrival) to 16th May (departure) 2025 in Al Ain, UAE.

The top ten (10) from the 2025 Asian (Open) Championship shall qualify into the 2025 World Cup and top two (2) from the 2025 Asian Women’s Championship shall qualify into the 2025 Women’s World Cup.

Total prize fund is $80,000 for Men and Women as follows.

Download Asian Individual Chess Championship 2025 regulations and Asian Individual Chess Championship reg form

 

Asians Rule 2025 FIDE World Schools Chess Championship

The 2025 FIDE World School Chess Championship in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia has concluded, bringing together 470 young players from 43 national federations in a thrilling competition. Kazakhstan emerged as the most successful nation, winning four gold, three silver, and one bronze medal across twelve tournaments in six age categories.

The home crowd had much to celebrate as Leonid Ivanović claimed silver in the Under-11 category, and Andrej Ljepić secured second place in the Under-17 category.

2025 FIDE World School Championship winners:

Open U7

1. Kairat, Abdul-Malik (KAZ) – 9 points
2. Om, Esh Gottumukala (IND) – 7½
3. Fatkhlislamov, Oskar (FIDE) – 6½

Girls U7

1. Pragnika, Vaka Lakshmi (IND) – 9
2. Azamkhujaeva, Mohinur (UZB) – 7
3. Xu, Vera Jintian (NZL) – 7

Open U9

1. Nematillakhonov, Nurmuhammad (UZB) – 7½
2. Sultankhan, Nurislam (KAZ) – 7
3. Bondarev, Fedor (FIDE) – 7

Girls U9

1. Bissaliyeva, Alisha (KAZ) – 8
2. Uranzaya, Shagdarsuren (MGL) – 8
3. Asadova, Madinabonu (UZB) – 7½

Open U11

1. Zhauynbay, Alimzhan (KAZ) – 7
2. Ivanovic, Leonid (SRB) – 7
3. Uzdemir, Ali Poyraz (TUR) – 6½

Girls U11

1. Nandinjiguur, Chinzorig (MGL) – 8
2. Divi, Bijesh (IND) – 8
3. Munkh-Ayalguu, Dorjderem (MGL) – 6½

Open U13

1. Yurasov, Matfey (FIDE) – 7½
2. Obidov, Biloliddin (UZB) – 7
3. Baturin-Vinogradov, Miroslav (FIDE) – 7

Girls U13

1. Begmuratova, Sarvinoz (UZB) – 7½
2. Amanzhol, Khanzada (KAZ) – 6½
3. Gaer, Sofiya Ig (FIDE) – 6½

Open U15

1. Scheglov, Gleb (FIDE) – 8
2. Tabatadze, Erekle (GEO) – 7
3. Kabinazar, Nurmukhammed (KAZ) – 7

Girls U15

1. Imomkuzieva, Nilufarkhon (UZB) – 7
2. Japparbekova, Malika (KAZ) – 6½
3. Ferrer Naranjo, Liennys (CUB) – 6

Open U17

1. Bogdanov, Artyom (KAZ) – 7
2. Ljepic, Andrej (SRB) – 7
3. Elmirzaev, Khondamir (UZB) – 6½

Girls U17

1. Buyankhishig, Batpelden (MGL) – 7½
2. Kirtadze, Anastasia (GEO) – 7
3. Newansa, M Esandi (SRI) – 6

The solemn and well-attended closing ceremony featured addresses from key chess officials. Özgür Solakoğlu, a representative of FIDE, praised the Chess Federation of Serbia for organizing an exceptional event. In his speech, he expressed hope that Serbia would once again host future FIDE competitions.

Then Boban Đurović, the mayor of Vrnjačka Banja, took the floor, followed by Andrija Jorgić, president of the Chess Federation of Serbia, who officially declared the tournament closed.

“Do not forget that chess is a knight’s game, and that the one sitting across from you is not your enemy but your opponent at the chessboard,” Jorgić reminded the participants.

The FIDE World School Chess Championship was not the only major tournament held in Serbia. The country is also set to host the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championship in November 2025, further cementing its reputation as a premier chess destination.

Photos: Andrej Jovanovic/Chess Federation of Serbia

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Official website: worldschool2025.fide.com

From Winners crowned at 2025 FIDE World School Championship – International Chess Federation