HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

Norway Chess 2025 R5: Hikaru Nakamura fumbles in Armageddon against Arjun Erigaisi

Arjun Erigaisi defeated Hikaru Nakamura (USA) in Armageddon at 13th Norway Chess 2025. Nakamura was winning for the better part of the game. However, in a winning position, instead of finding the correct continuation, he blundered terribly and lost the game. Wei Yi (CHN) and D Gukesh drew their Classical game which could have gone either player's way. Wei won the must-win Armageddon with white pieces to win the match. Magnus Carlsen (NOR) won his first Armageddon of the event against Fabiano Caruana (USA) after their Classical game ended in a draw. With this win, Carlsen extended his sole lead by 1.5 points, 9.5/15. Round 6 starts today from 5 p.m. local time, 8:30 p.m. IST. Apart from youtube, there is also a live broadcast on Sony Liv. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

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-Master players as virtual opponents: Lasker, Tal, Fischer, Karpov
-Opponent simulation through integration of the ChessBase 18 Style Report
-Manual opponent configuration (attack, risk, position, exchange)
-Additional playing styles: ‘Romantic’ and ‘Hypermodern’

And there's a whole lot more where that came from! Today, we have a special offer on FRITZ 20 - use the coupon code "10FRITZ20" to avail a 10% discount! This offer is valid until 8th June 2025 - hurry up and get it now!


LATEST NEWS OF THE WEEK

Norway Chess Women R5: Humpy emerges sole leader

GM Koneru Humpy defeated GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) in Armageddon to gain sole lead at 2nd Norway Chess Women 2025. After a draw in the Classical battle, the Armageddon was not a smooth game for the victor. Humpy was lost at one point against Tingjie due to her incorrect passive queen retreat. Tingjie could not seize her opportunity, misplayed and blundered her knight in one move to lose the game. GM R Vaishali scored her first three-pointer of the event against IM Sara Khadem (ESP). GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) played two solid draws in both Classical and Armageddon against GM Wenjun Ju (CHN). However, the five-time Women's World Champion had the black pieces in Armageddon, hence she won the match. Round 6 starts today from 5 p.m. local time, 8:30 p.m. IST. Apart from youtube, there is also a live broadcast on Sony Liv. Photo: Norway Chess / Michal Walusza

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6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial R3: Aravindh outplays Xiangyu, crosses 2750 for the first time

Aravindh Chithambaram outplayed Xiangyu Xu (CHN) in Round 3 of 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial 2025. Aravindh played bravely and launched a devastating attack on the kingside by exposing his own king. His opponent had no answer to that. This win pushed Aravindh to 2750.8 in live ratings for the first time in his career. His rank is World no.11 in June FIDE rating list. R Praggnanandhaa signed a quick 18-move draw against Samuel Sevian (USA). Aram Hakobyan (ARM) and Dmitrij Kollars (GER) are the only two other victors of the round against Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB) and Benjamin Gledura (HUN) respectively. Round 4 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Chess Academy of Armenia

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POSITION OF THE WEEK

Can you crack this Helpmate?

Helpmate in 3 moves

In the curious world of helpmates, Black actually helps White deliver mate. Strange? Perhaps! Beautiful? Definitely! Here’s a twin-set of helpmates by the ever-inventive Chris Feather. First, solve the diagram as a helpmate in 3. Then, give that king a gentle shove from f4 to e4—and solve the new position.

Double the challenge, double the delight! Click the link below for the detailed explanation.

Go to ChessRanga for the breakdown!


Anish Giri convincingly clinches 8th Sharjah Masters

GM Anish Giri (NED) defeated GM Aditya Mittal to win 8th Sharjah Masters 2025 convincingly. In a relatively balanced rook endgame, Anish pushed for a win as he had an extra passed pawn. It turned out in his favor as his opponent eventually faltered. GM Aleksandar Indjic (SRB) defeated the newly crowned Asian Individual 2025 champion, GM Bardiya Daneshvar (IRI) to secure second place. GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) drew with GM M Amin Tabatabaei (IRI) to finish third. The total prize fund of the tournament is more than $73000, Masters A had $58600. The top three prizes were $15000, $10000 and $7000 each. Aditya is the sole Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 5.5/9 to finish tenth. Photo: Sharjah Chess Club

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25th Dubai Open R5: Grebnev grabs sole lead

GM Muradli Mahammad (AZE) drew against GM Nihal Sarin in Round 5 of 25th Dubai Open 2025. It was a well contested draw and neither player had any real chances. GM Bharath Subramaniyam H lost to GM Aleksey Grebnev who emerged sole leader 4.5/5. IM S Rohith Krishna had a hard-fought draw against GM Ivan Zemlyanskii. Nihal and Rohith are the only two Indians among five pursuers at 4/5 each. The remaining three are - Muradli, GM Shant Sargsyan (ARM) and GM Sina Movahed (IRI). Nihal will face Grebnev in Round 6. It starts today at 5 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Dubai Chess & Culture Club

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