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Iniyan P wins Indian Chess Championship 2025

Panneerselvam Iniyan emerged as the winner of the 2025 Indian Chess Championship, edging out Goutham Krishna on tiebreak to claim his maiden national title.

The 62nd  National Chess Championship, an 11-round Swiss tournament with classical time control, took place at Vignan University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, from September 21 to October 1. Although the event did not attract all of India’s top players, it still boasted a massive field of 394 participants, including 14 GMs and 30 IMs.

Top seed Iniyan P entered the competition as one of the pre-tournament favorites, but his path to the title was far from straightforward. Trailing the leaders for most of the way, he faced sole leader Krishnan Sasikiran in the penultimate round. In a game of paramount importance to both players, Iniyan seized his opportunity when Sasikiran faltered in a drawn endgame, failing to find the only move that would have secured a half-point.

Heading into the final round half a point ahead of four rivals, Iniyan drew with Abhijeet Gupta and clinched the title with 9/11. Despite winning his last-round game and catching Iniyan, Goutham Krishna had to settle for silver due to an inferior Buchholz (the first tiebreak criterion).

With this victory, Iniyan now holds the Indian National Champion title in both Classical and Rapid chess, having previously won the rapid championship in March 2025.

As many as six players tied for third on 8½/11, with Sasikiran taking bronze on tiebreaks.

Final standings (chess-results)

Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Official website: apchess.org/

From Iniyan P wins Indian Chess Championship 2025 – International Chess Federation

Kazakhstan triumphs in World Cadets with overall team victory

From September 19 to 30, 2025, Almaty became the epicenter of world chess, hosting the World Cadet Chess Championship (U8–U12) at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace. The event brought together 842 young players from 88 countries, including 229 representatives from all 20 regions of Kazakhstan. The competition was held over 11 rounds under the Swiss system with classical time control: 90 minutes per game plus a 30-second increment per move.

Kazakhstan’s young stars—8-year-olds Alisha Bisalieva (Girls U8) and Adinur Adilbek (Open U8), along with 12-year-old Danis Kuandykuly (Open U12)—claimed gold medals, while the national team topped the overall standings for the second year in a row. China and the USA shared second and third, each earning one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal. China edged out the USA in total points scored by medalists—26½ to 25½.

The tournament became a true celebration of chess, with young players showcasing skill, character, and strategic talent. Kazakhstan not only hosted a world-class event but also proved the strength of its chess school.

“We managed to host one of the largest chess tournaments at the highest level, bringing together a record number of participants and giving Almaty the atmosphere of a true festival. It is especially symbolic that right here, on home soil, our young chess players achieved historic success. Alisha, Adinur, and Danis became world champions, and Kazakhstan showed the world that we have the strongest chess school and already a new generation of leaders who can become big stars tomorrow,” said Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the closing ceremony and took part in the prize-giving. In his speech, he expressed gratitude to the participants, organizers, and supporters:

“Thank you to the players, media team, and organizers for everything you’ve done over these past days! Your professionalism, energy, emotions, and smiles made this event truly special. Thank you for your passion for the game, your determination to win, and your ability to enjoy the moment. I am confident that these days will remain a lifelong memory for all of us.

A special word of gratitude goes to the Government of Kazakhstan and the President of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the Chess Federation of Kazakhstan and its President, Timur Turlov, Freedom Holding Corp., and to everyone whose support made this tournament possible—with a record number of participating countries.”

2025 World Cadet Chess Championship winners and top finishers:

Girls U8 (94 players)

  1. Alisha Bissaliyeva (1704, Kazakhstan) – 9½ points
  2. Zhu Jiahe (1630, China) – 9
  3. Bold-Erdene Tselmeg (1661, Mongolia) – 8½

Open U8 (150 players)

  1. Adinur Adilbek (1935, Kazakhstan) – 9½ points
  2. Fedor Sidelnikov (1720, FIDE) – 8½
  3. Wang Yuxuan (1728, China) – 8½

Girls U10 (115 players)

  1. WCM Sharvaanica, A S (1971, India) – 9 points
  2. WCM Chinzorig Nandinjiguur (1887, Mongolia) – 9
  3. Kiyanna Parihaar (1728, India) – 8½

Open U10 (185 players)

  1. Yuan Shunzhe (1805, China) – 9 points
  2. CM Le Phan Hoang Quan (2031, Vietnam) – 9
  3. AFM Mani Sarbartho (2072, India) – 8½

Girls U12 (123 players)

  1. Lacey Wang (1883, USA) – 8½ points
  2. WFM Laurie Qiu (1994, USA) – 8½
  3. Milana Sokolova (1870, FIDE) – 8½

Open U12 (175 players)

  1. CM Danis Kuandykuly (2211, Kazakhstan) – 9 points
  2. CM Ali Poyraz Ozdemir (2196, Turkey) – 9
  3. CM Ethan Guo (2330, USA) – 8½

Full standings (chess-results)

“Kazakhstan managed to take first place in the team standings at the World Cadet Championship for the second year in a row. Last year in Italy we won two golds. This year in Almaty, we won three out of six. One gold each went to the undisputed global leaders—China, India, and the United States. This success is especially pleasing because it happened at home, in front of a record number of countries, 88 in total. It is a tremendous achievement, and we are very proud of our talents,” said Darmen Sadvakasov, First Vice President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation.

Photos: KazChess

3rd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities Slated December in Philippines

The City of Tagaytay, under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Asian Chess Federation and FIDE, is pleased to invite all National Federations in FIDE Zones 3.1 to 3.8 to participate in the 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities (Open/Women and Juniors/Girls) from 1st December (arrival) to 8th December 2025 (departure).

In photo are members of the Philippine Para Chess Association headed by IA James Infiesto (standing alone in rear holding flag).

Each Federation may register any number of participants for the tournament in the following categories:

  • Visual Impairment: (men and women with disabilities with full or visually impaired (legally considered to be blind);
  • Physical Impairment: (men and women with disabilities with a lesion of the musculoskeletal system and others with physical disabilities);
  • Hearing Impairment: Category B (men and women with disabilities with full or weakened hearing loss (legally considered to be deaf).

Juniors and Girls shall not have reached the age of 20 before 1st January 2025 and come from a National Federation in Zones 3.1 to 3.8.

Championships shall be played in separate categories for Men, Women, Juniors and Girls. Where there are fewer than 10 players from at least 5 federations in a category, that category shall be merged with another.

Download Asian Chess Championship 2025 For Players With Disabilities Regs

Download Registration form 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities 2025

Winners crowned at FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Championship 2025

For five days, Lima became the world’s chess capital. The Peruvian capital hosted the World Rapid and Blitz Championship, bringing together brightest young chess talents.

In an atmosphere of intensity and high expectations, the clock ticked as fast as the plays unfolded, demanding not only creativity from the players but also absolute composure under pressure. Many games were decided in mere minutes, offering spectators a mix of spectacle, drama, and brilliance.

The Peruvian audience responded with passion, filling the playing halls and proving that chess, in its most accelerated form, can be lived and celebrated with the energy of a true sporting event. Between draws, crushing victories, and heartbreaking defeats, Lima pulsed with the excitement of a discipline that allows no respite.

By the end of five intense days, it was clear that this World Championship not only crowned new champions but also established Peru as a prominent stage on the international chess calendar.

Below is the list of winners:

Girls – Rapid

  1. WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (KAZ) – 7
  2. WIM Afruza Khamdamova (UZB) – 6.5
  3. WFM Varvara Poliakova (FIDE) – 6.5

Final standings Girls – Rapid

Open – Rapid

  1. IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (UZB) – 7.5
  2. GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) – 7
  3. GM Denis Lazavik (FIDE) – 7

Final standings Open – Rapid

Girls – Blitz

  1. IM Eline Roebers (NED) – 12/13
  2. WIM Umida Omonova (UZB) – 9.5
  3. WFM Aliaksandra Tarasenka (FIDE) – 9

Eline Roebers delivered a commanding performance, clinching the title with a round to spare. The IM from the Netherlands scored an impressive 12/13, conceding just two draws.

Final standings Girls – Blitz

Open – Blitz

  1. GM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) – 12/13
  2. GM Denis Lazavik (FIDE) – 11.5
  3. IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (UZB) –10

The competition turned in an exciting race of GMs Mukhiddin Madaminov and Denis Lazavik. The runner-up of the Open – Rapid, Mamadinov seized the lead in Round 9 and preserved it to the end, finishing a half-point ahead of Lazavik.

Final standings Open – Blitz

Text and photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar

Official website: fidewj2025.com/ 

From Winners crowned at FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz Championship 2025 – International Chess Federation

Wang Hao and Hou Yifan Triumph at 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China

Grandmasters Wang Hao and Hou Yifan emerged victorious in the Open and Women’s sections of the chess competition at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China. The Jiangsu team won the team event, while Shandong and Hebei took silver and bronze, respectively.

The chess competition at the 15th National Games, the highest-level comprehensive multi-sport event in the country held every four years, took place in Shenzhen from September 23–28. It attracted the strongest local players, including former World Champions Ding Liren, Wei Yi, Yu Yangyi, Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun, Hou Yifan, Lei Tingjie, and Zhu Jiner.

The event, played with a 25-minute plus 10-second increment time control, featured Open, Women’s, and Team sections and used a two-stage format: a round-robin preliminary stage followed by semifinals and finals contested by the top four players.

The preliminary stage of the Open section produced a minor sensation as seventh-seed Xu Yinglun qualified for the semifinals alongside Wang Hao, Ding Liren, and Xu Xiangyu, edging out higher-rated players Yu Yangyi and Lu Shanglei.

Both semifinals—Wang Hao vs. Xu Yinglun and Ding Liren vs. Xu Xiangyu—were tightly contested battles decided by tiebreaks. Wang Hao and Xu Xiangyu prevailed and advanced to the final. In the equally tense final, Wang Hao captured the title by winning the tiebreaker. Ding Liren defeated Xu Yinglun to claim the bronze medal.

In the Women’s event, the top-rated players—Hou Yifan, Zhu Jiner, Ju Wenjun, and Lei Tingjie—lived up to expectations and secured spots in the knockout stage. In the semifinals, Lei Tingjie defeated Ju Wenjun, while Hou Yifan prevailed over Zhu Jiner in a very close tiebreak.

Hou Yifan dominated the final, whitewashing Lei Tingjie 2-0 to claim the title. In the bronze medal match, Ju Wenjun beat Zhu Jiner in a tiebreak, completing the podium.

ACF and FIDE Ratify New Iraqi Chess Federation Statutes

The Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and International Chess Federation (FIDE) have ratified the new statutes of the Iraqi Chess Federation headed by President Dhafer, Abdul Ameer Madhloom.

In a letter dated 27 September 2025, Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan stated:

“Asian Chess Federation hereby ratifies the Statutes of Iraqi Chess Federation approved by the Iraqi Chess Federation General Assembly in a meeting held in Baghdad on 7 August 2025.”

The Statutes were approved by the Iraqi Chess Federation General Assembly in a meeting held in Baghdad on 7 August 2025. The meeting was honored by the online participation of Mr. Hisham Al Taher, General Secretary of the Asian Chess Federation, who addressed the Assembly and expressed his support for the activities of the Iraqi Chess Federation.

In a letter dated 29 September 2025 from FIDE Legal Director Aleksandr Martynov, FIDE stated:

“In my capacity as the FIDE Legal Director, hereby gladly announce to you on behalf of FIDE, that the Internal Regulations of the Iraqi Chess Federation have been examined and as of the moment, FIDE sees no objections for its approval in Iraq and therefore, the regulations can be considered as ratified by FIDE.”

 

 

John Lee Antonio Wins Moonroast Cafe Rapid Chess Tournament 

By Marlon Bernardino
John Lee Antonio emerged as champion of the Moonroast Cafe Rapid Chess Tournament held 28 September 2025 at the Tropang Chess Club headquarters in Poblacion, Makati City, Philippines.
Antonio (left) finished the 7-round Swiss system competition with an undefeated score of 6.0 points on account of 5 wins and 2 draws to clinch the title and the P1,200 cash prize in this 1-day event, organized by Pete Dadula and hosted by Fred Fernandez in cooperation with Francis Burt Magpili.
National Master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. (left) and Ely Estabillo occupied the second to third spots with identical 5.5 points to receive P1,000 and P500, respectively.
Completing the top 14 were Denzel John Amar, Christian Roche Thompson, Rowenson Fabregas, NM Romeo Alcodia, Bernard Tenorio, Warren Luchavez III, Erick Spencer Valdez, Eldiberto Manalo, Edgar Panganiban, Arnold Renz Ramos and Neil Cribe.
Meanwhile, the most outstanding performers in their respective categories were Warren Luchavez (Best Poblacion Player), April Jylian Magpily (Best Female Player), Rod Sulit (Best Senior Player), Realy Esquivel and Zeus Caleb Buenavides (Best Kiddie Players). -Marlon Bernardino-
Final Standings:
6.0 points John Lee
5.5 points NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., Ely Estavillo
5.0 points Denzel John Amar, Christian Roche Thompson, Rowenson Fabregas
4.5 points NM Romeo Alcodia, Bernard Tenorio
4.0 points Warren Luchavez III, Erick Spencer Valdez, Eldiberto Manalo, Edgar Panganiban, Arnold Renz Ramos, Neil Cribe

Asians Win World Juniors and Girls Rapid Chess Championships

The FIDE World Junior Rapid Chess Championships concluded in Lima, Peru with remarkable victories that highlighted the strength of the new generation of players. IM Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov (Uzbekistan) and WGM Xeniya Balabayeva (Kazakhstan) are the newly crowned World Junior Rapid Champions, winning the open and girls’ sections, respectively.

With two grandmasters and several strong international masters in the field, the open tournament was tightly contested and went down to the wire. Heading into the final ninth round, three Uzbek players—Mukhammadzokhid Suyarov, Mukhiddin Madaminov, and Khumoyun Begmuratov—shared the lead with 6.5/8, closely followed by six players (including top seed GM Denis Lazavik) on 6/8.

After Madaminov drew with Maksim Tsaruk and Lazavik defeated Begmuratov, Suyarov got his shot at gold—a chance he did not miss. Playing the white side of a Ruy Lopez, he prevailed over Juan Jose Cano Alcaraz (Colombia), clinching the title with an excellent score of 7.5/9.

Four players tied for second place, with Madaminov and Lazavik taking silver and bronze, respectively, thanks to superior Buchholz tiebreaks.

Final standings Open

The girls’ event was equally strong and exciting. Despite a second-round setback against WFM Varvara Poliakova (FIDE), Xeniya Balabayeva reeled off five straight victories to seize the lead.

Peruvian Grandmaster Deysi Cori, one of Latin America’s most celebrated chess players, made a special appearance at the final round of the Women’s World Junior Rapid Chess Championship in Lima, where she made the ceremonial first move. Her participation highlighted the importance of inspiring the next generation and added a symbolic touch to the event’s closing day.

Entering the final round on 6.5/8, half a point ahead of three pursuers, Xeniya achieved a winning position against one of her main rivals, WIM Afruza Khamdamova, but misplayed it and had to settle for a draw. That result was enough to secure the title, as her other challengers, Poliakova and Anna Zhurova, split the point after a long battle.

Khamdamova and Poliakova earned silver and bronze, respectively, edging out Zhurova on tiebreaks.

Final standings Girls

Photos: Patricia Claros Aguilar

Official website: fidewj2025.com/

From FIDE World Junior Rapid Championship 2025: Suyarov and Balabayeva capture titles – International Chess Federation

Marius Constante Wins PSC-NCFP Batang Pinoy Chess Henyo (Luzon leg)

Eight-year-old Marius Constante receives his trophy from NCFP CEO/Executive Director FST GM Jayson Gonzales for winning the PSC-NCFP Batang Pinoy Chess Henyo (Luzon leg) held 27 September 2025 at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence on Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines8-year-old Marius Constante (champion) and
The chess prodigy from Novaliches, Quezon City, accumulated an undefeated score in six games.
His impressive 5.5/6 score in the 8-10 year old boys section not only outpaced the other participants but also secured his position in the prestigious PSC grassroots program National Developmental Athletes Pool.
Just a week ago, Marius dominated the 21st Noypi Magnolia 13-under category.
NM Jose Rafael “Jojo” Legaspi and FM Noel Dela Cruz assisted Marius in his preparation. -Marlon Bernardino-

Xavier School San Juan Wins Jesuit Athletic Meet in the Philippines

Xavier School team, from left, bd 5 Nathan Emilio Valdez, bd 2 Jericho Winston Cu, bd 6 Kirk Xander Lim, bd 3 Ryan Gabriel Taguba, bd 4 AFM Philip Gregory Pe, bd 1 FM Ivan Travis Cu, Athletic Director Ms. Aimee Apolinario and Head Coach Rolando Yutuc

By Marlon Bernardino

Xavier School San Juan won the Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM) Chess Team Tournament held September 24-26, 2025 at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

FIDE Master (FM) Master Ivan Travis Cu bannered the squad that successfully defended its title in the High School Division of this prestigious tourney among Jesuit Schools in the Philippines.

Joining FM Ivan in the winning team were Jericho Winston Cu, Ryan Gabriel Taguba and Arena FIDE Master (AFM) Philip Gregory Pe.
Completing the victorious squad that is being mentored by Xavier School Athletic Director Ms. Aimee Apolinario and International Chess Federation Arbiter Rolando Yutuc are alternate players Nathan Emilio Valdez and Kirk Xander Lim.

Aside from winning the gold medal in board 1 after tallying a perfect score (4/4), FM Ivan also asserted his dominance to win the blitz category with 4.5 points, the same output of AFM Philip.
Xavier finished with 8 match points and 15.5 game points.
Ateneo de Manila University finished second with 8 match points and 15.0 game points followed by Ateneo de Zamboanga University with 7 match points and 12.5 game points.

Ateneo de Davao University HS placed fourth with 5 match points and 9 game points, Ateneo de Naga University placed fifth with 2 match points and 8 game points and sixth and last place Loyola College of Cullon with 2 game points.

Beyond the result, Xavier saw the victory as a breakthrough that validated the long hours they’ve invested in practice and preparation.

The Tournament Director was Carla Sucalit while National Arbiter Lorenzo Cuizon Jr. served as the Chief Arbiter in the chessfest -Marlon Bernardino-