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From the CEO

Today is the international chess day - 20th of July. It was the day when FIDE was formed in 1924. So today is the 100th anniversary of International Chess Day. Happy birthday FIDE! I often think, what does chess mean to me? Bobby Fischer said "Chess is Life" and I borrowed this quote from him for quite some time. But now when I sit down and think about it, I realize that at different moments of my life chess has meant different things for me.

1. (10-12 years)
I learnt chess when I was around 10 years old. At that point, the main of playing chess was to beat my dad! So as he went to the office, I plotted how should I beat him when he came back! It became a very big way of bonding with my dad.

2. (13-18 years)
This was the phase where I saw a different world beyond Ghatkopar where I lived. I travelled across the country, playing rating tournaments, wanting to increase my rating. In my bid to become better I met so many new people, made so many friends and most importantly learnt how to manage my finances and live with limited means. It helped me grow as an individual without me actually thinking about it. Another important thing I remember is that I never really had the time to hang out with my friends during the days of junior college. The famous Podar ka Katta was non-existent in my life, because I was travelling to places like Saharanpur, Sangli, Dindigul etc. to play tournaments.

3. (19-24 years)
While improving at chess was important, something truly spectacular happened through chess. I met the love of my life - Amruta Mokal. Just randomly, out of the blue, we started talking. The talk converted into liking, liking in loving and the love brought new dimensions to my life. I eventually married Amruta at the age of 24 and I could not be more grateful to the sport. I must point out to this very tough phase in my life (at least for a few months) where I was unsure about the relationship. I felt that it was impacting my chess. But I am glad I persisted. As on today we are together (most of the times happily!) for 16 years.

4. (25-27 years)
The phase of trying to become a GM. A phase where you spend almost every single moment of your life thinking about your chess improvement. Why did I play that move, or what is my weapon against Grunfeld or how can I increase my stamina to grind better in an endgame! It was all about focus! In this phase chess gave me the greatest of joy in life and also humbled me every time arrogance set in.

5. (27-28 years)
A unique year in the life of Amruta and me where we packed everything in a box and led a nomadic homeless life for 1 year travelling from 1 place to another for chess. In one year we covered 44 cities in India and 5 countries. This was the phase where chess transcended as a sport. I started looking at it as a social tool. Be it fighting the issues of alcohol in Marottichal or the drug issues in Punjab, chess was used as a part of the solution. I started to understand that chess could become a tool to bring about change and equality in the society.

6. (28-32 years)
Building a chess company took over the major part of my life here. I did my CA but I had very little clue how to run a businness. I read books - 100s of them on entrepreneurship and self improvement. I had sleepless nights, I found it hard to work together with a team. But I kept at it. From a team of 4-5 people we grew to 20! I saw chess transforming society and success stories from scratch. India becoming a super power at chess no longer was slowly becoming a reality. My life was dedicated to the aim of powering chess in India and world in this phase.

7. (32-34 years)
The last two years chess has made me look within. It has become my spiritual journey. It has taught me that I will create in the outside world whatever I am from within. How I do things has assumed more importance than what and why of doing things! The goal to power chess still exists but the one that shines brighter is to change myself - to become a better version of myself each day! And I have no doubt that as I embark on this inner journey I will be able to create the best impact in the outer world!

So this is where we are right now! Chess meant different things at different points of my life and I am sure it will evolve even in the years to come! I still go back to the time in my life when my dad called me and said "Sagar, come here I will show you a new game!" Little did I know that 24 years later that chess and I would be like Siamese twins! Thank you chess for being in my life. For helping me evolve and for giving meaning to my life! - Sagar Shah.

What does chess mean in your life? If you could share that with us by filling the Google form, we will try and feature the best ones on the ChessBase India newspage. - Sagar Shah

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HEADLINE OF THE WEEK

What does chess mean to you?

20th of July is celebrated across the world as the international chess day. And this is the 100th chess day and the 100th anniversary of the International Chess Federation - FIDE. On this wonderful day, Sagar Shah shares with us as to what chess means to him. He tells us about how in the journey of 24 years of chess being part of his life, it has meant different things at different junctures. At the end of the article is a google form, where you can submit your story of what chess means to you. The best ones will be published on ChessBase India.

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LEARN FROM THE CLASSICS BY SAGAR SHAH

SAGAR10

Wise and successful players of the game have always told us to study the classics – games by the great masters of the past. But in this age of cutting-edge opening theory, preparation and engines, is studying the classics really that helpful? On this DVD, Sagar Shah does not merely preach. First, he shows you classical games of great legends such as Petrosian, Botvinnik, Fischer, Korchnoi and Kasparov, looking at typical patterns and ideas from the middlegame.

The author then goes on to explain how you can use these ideas in your own battles – by showing you examples of applied classical knowledge from his own games! As well as looking at the middlegame, Sagar also focuses on the opening. The information explosion has ensured that opening theory continues to evolve at a rapid pace. The author shows that playing through the classics can help us establish a strong and stable feel for the initial phase of the game, and analyzes the opening duel between Botvinnik and Petrosian from their World Championship match in 1963. Going over these games will give you an excellent idea of how the classics can be used to prepare your own openings!

Today, we have a big 10% discount on Learn from the Classics by IM Sagar Shah! Just use the coupon code "SAGAR10" to avail the discount. The offer expires on 29th July 2024 - hurry up and get it NOW!

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LATEST NEWS OF THE WEEK

57th Biel MTO R5: Leon Luke Mendonca gains sole lead

GM Leon Luke Mendonca defeated GM Ori Kobo (ISR) to emerge sole leader at 57th Biel Chess Festival MTO 2024. He is at 4.5/5. Eight players are trailing him by a half point. GM Aryan Chopra, GM Krishnan Sasikiran and GM Koustav Chatterjee drew their respective games against GM Rinat Jumabayev (KAZ), IM Mukhiddin Madaminov (UZB) and GM Alexander Moiseenko (UKR). GM Harsha Bharathakoti defeated IM Timothe Razafindratsima (FRA) to join the three Indians at 4/5 each. GM R Vaishali drew with GM Marc` Andria Maurizzi (FRA) in GMT Challengers. She is now World no.9 among Women in the live ratings. GMT Round 5 and MTO Round 6 starts today at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Biel Chess Festival

 

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G Nigash and Keerti Shree Reddy become Tamil Nadu State Junior Open and Girls 2024 Champions

G Nigash scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 52nd Tamil Nadu State Junior Under-19 Open Rating Championship 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. V Tarun and S Rohith scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. WFM Keerti Shree Reddy and Sindhusree K scored 7.5/9 each in 37th Tamil Nadu State Junior Under-19 Girls. Keerti won due to better tie-breaks, Sindhusree secured second place. V C Nivedita finished third scoring 7/9. The total cash prize fund of the tournament was ₹60000. The top three prizes were ₹7000 + trophy, ₹5000 and ₹4000 each. The five-day rating tournament was organized by Krishnagiri District Chess Association at Mathakondapalli Model School in Hosur, Tamil Nadu from 26th to 30th June 2024. This is Nigash and Keerti's first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: IA R Anantharam

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Vaibhav Suri victorious at 2nd RCMIC Rotachess Rapid Rating Open 2024

Four players - GM Vaibhav Suri, GM Pranesh M, IM Ilamparthi A R and FM Ram Aravind L N scored 8/9 each at 2nd RCMIC Rotachess Rapid Rating Open 2024. Vaibhav became champion due to better tie-break score. The remaining three were placed second to fourth according to tie-breaks. Top three remained undefeated. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹600000. The top three prizes were ₹80000, ₹50000 and ₹40000 along with a trophy each. The tournament was organized by YMCA Madras Physical Activities Committee, Rotary Club of Madras Industrial City and T Nagar Chess Academy at YMCA Royapettah in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on 23rd June 2024. Check out a huge report of the tournament with lots of photos, games, videos and few interviews. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

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How Chess Inspired My Startup

On the occasion of International Chess Day, I am excited to share a personal story that reveals the power of chess beyond the board. During my last year in college, we were given the daunting project of starting our own business. When the whole class was confused about the idea, I found clarity by drawing parallels between chess and entrepreneurship. This unexpected fusion of chess principles with entrepreneurship guided me through every challenge. This project transformed my perspective, making me believe in 'Chess as a Lifestyle.' From forming a team of 'pieces' to strategizing our every move, chess was not just a game but a guiding philosophy that shaped my approach to business and beyond. Photo Credit: Getty Images

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