HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

Pranav Venkatesh Golden at World Junior 2025

GM Pranav Venkatesh drew with FM Matic Lavrencic (SLO) to clinch the Gold at World Junior Open 2025. He scored an unbeaten 9/11 with a performance of 2721, gaining 13.3 Elo rating points in the process. His final round opponent, Matic secured Silver scoring 8.5/11. GM Elham Amar (NOR) got Bronze scoring 8.5/11. WIM Anna Shukhman won Gold in the Girls event. She scored 9/11. WIM Ayan Allahverdiyeva (AZE) and IM Miaoyi Lu (CHN) scored 8/11 each to secure Silver and Bronze respectively. The total prize fund of the tournament was €10000. The top three prizes in Open were €3000, €2000 and €1000 along with a medal and trophy each. For Girls, they were, €2000, €1250 and €750 with a medal a trophy each. Photo: Mitar Djukanovic

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MIKHAIL TAL'S MAGIC OF YOUTH!

MTAL10

Mikhail Tal is one of the most celebrated chess players of all time. The eighth World Champion not only won the title at a record young age, but did so using a ferocious, high-risk attacking style. Tal's spectacular games, along with his charming personality and witty sense of humour, endeared him to the chess public like no other player. Award-winning author Tibor Károlyi has written the definitive guide to Tal's sparkling career! In this, the first of three volumes, Károlyi explores Tal's early life and career up to the end of 1959, including his victory in the formidable Candidates tournament where he earned the right to challenge Botvinnik for the world title.

Today, we have a very special offer on this wonderful book! Just use the coupon code "MTAL10" to avail a 10% discount on Mikhail Tal's Best Games 1 - The Magic of Youth by Tibor Karolyi! This offer is valid till 15th March 2025 - so hurry up and get your copy now!


LATEST NEWS OF THE WEEK

Aravindh Chithambaram dominates Prague Masters 2025 with a 2829 performance

Aravindh Chithambaram drew Ediz Gurel (TUR) to become the champion of 7th Prague International Chess Festival 2025 Masters. Anish Giri's (NED) victory over R Praggnanandhaa ensured Aravindh's clear first place finish with a 6/9 score. Anish finished second 5/9. Wei Yi (CHN) drew with Liem Quang Le (VIE) to finish third with the same score 5/9. Aravindh's performance rating at this event was 2829. He gained a valuable 12 Elo rating points, taking him to World no.14 in the live ratings. Those who have followed Aravindh's career always knew and believed him to have the potential to reach here and beyond. Him winning two Classical super tournaments in-a-row with the exact same rating performance is also quite unique. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

 

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World Champion Gukesh D Honored with ₹1 Crore at Velammal Nexus

On February 28, 2025, the Velammal Nexus School in Chennai organized a felicitation program for the youngest World Chess Champion, D Gukesh. Gukesh is a student of this school! Last time, after he won the Candidates Tournament, the school gifted him a Mercedes-Benz. This time, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Indian chess, Velammal Nexus Correspondent Shri M.V.M. Velmohan and Deputy Correspondent Mr. Shriram Velmohan awarded him a ₹1 crore cash prize. Read all about the grand felicitation ceremony of the World Champion in this article. Photos: Abhyudaya Ram 

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Aleksandra Goryachkina wins Monaco GP 2025, Humpy second

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina drew with IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) in the final round to win FIDE Monaco GP 2025. GM Koneru Humpy defeated IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ). Goryachkina, Humpy and Batkhuyag, all three ended up having the same score 5.5/9 each. Goryachkina became champion due to better tie-break scores, Humpy secured second place and Batkhuyag third. Humpy's sole loss of the event was against the eventual champion, Goryachkina in the sixth round. The fourth leg of the GP will take place in Cyprus from 14th to 25th March 2025. Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

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Pranesh M dominates 8th Cappelle la Grande Open 2025, Karthik Venkataraman second

GM Pranesh M scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 8th Cappelle la Grande Rapid Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. GM Karthik Venkataraman scored sole 7.5/9 to secure second place. Eleven players scored 7/9 each. GM Anthony Wirig (FRA) secured third place out of them. GM Raja Rithvik R and IM Arghyadip Das also scored 7/9 each. They werep placed at fifth and ninth place respectively. The total prize fund was €5000. First prize was €1000. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by L'Echiquier Cappellois at Palais des Arts et des Loisirs in Cappelle la Grande, France on 22nd February 2025. Photo: L'Echiquier Cappellois

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