FROM THE CEO
We sat in the cab racing towards the airport. In Mumbai, the word race means roughly 20 km/hr! Amruta and I wanted to make it in time so that we could get our flight to New York. Yes, the first time ever that we would go to the USA. Gukesh had become the Classical world champion. Would there be a chance for our youngsters - Arjun, Pragg, Divya, Vaishali and others to bring home the Rapid and Blitz title? Also as Arjun fights for his top spot for FIDE circuit and also his passport issues (he hasn't yet received it after applying for his US visa), it's going to be a very exciting finish to the year 2024 for the Indian chess fan.
The new and exciting format of World Rapid and Blitz 2024 - from 26th-31st December!
I got to know from some friends that the temperature in New York is -10 degrees! Now, while cold is something I love, this is a little bit too much isn't it? So this time I decided to go prepared. A day before my flight, Amruta and I went to the Phoenix Marketcity mall in Mumbai and found an amazing down jacket in a shop named Monte Carlo! I was so excited because the jacket fit me really well and I was looking forward to the chilly walks in a new environment. As is always the case with us, as the time to the flight neared, Amruta and I were rushing at home. Packing our stuff, writing to our team members, trying to gulp down some food.
Photo: Zamorin of Bombay/Tripadvisor
Sitting in the Uber we were hoping that we would be able to beat the Mumbai traffic to reach the airport on time. This is when Amruta asked - where is our bag that had the down jacket? I was stunned - I was not supposed to make sure that everything was in order with our luggage. But to some extent one is responsible for his own stuff, isn't it. Turns out, in our hurry, we had left my beautiful Monte Carlo Down Jacket in home itself.
I had this nagging feeling within me. First I was a bit upset at Amruta. But then I quickly shifted my thinking there. It was not her fault. Yet, the regret lingered on. I will not be able to wear this comfortable jacket anymore I said to myself. How did I forget it? While on one hand all these thoughts populated my mind, on the other I tried to tell myself it is ok. But I was unable to convince myself easily. Regret is a powerful force, especially when you have put in the effort to strengthen your desire! I wanted to wear my jacket and have a great time and I had put in time, effort and energy towards this aim. This is the reason why it was difficult for me to get over this!
Let's move to the chess board and analyze a situation where you are winning and you suddenly make a bad move, only to realize it even before your opponent has responded. It's natural that regret is going to hit me here as well. But think about it, both on the chess board and in the jacket situation - how is regret going to help. Some people say regret helps you to be careful the next time not to commit the same error! I am not 100% sure about this theory. Because, yes, I might not make the same error again, but I might do another one! What I have unable to do so is rid myself of the pattern of feeling regret.
The present moment is filled with innumerable possibilities and regret just makes you not see all of them. This is also the reason why India no.1 Arjun Erigaisi mentioned that the Inner Engineering course really helped him to overcome situations where he would make an error and regret about it.
Check out this interview to understand how inner engineering helped Arjun Erigaisi!
In my situation, I quickly accepted the fact that I could no longer get my jacket and i need to enjoy my present situation. I quickly messaged my friend in the US if he could help me to go to a shop to buy a new jacket. Amruta and I discussed that we would gift this jacket to some other friend when we came to India. A rush of fresh energy passed within us. The situation was still the same, but I didn't feel even an ounce of regret. I felt very positive. I had just changed my perspective to what had occurred.
Think about all the times that things go wrong in your life and on the chess board and learn the art of not regretting. Learn the art of being in the moment and seeing the hidden possibilities that life is presenting you with! For now I am going to close my eyes and enjoy my longest flight journey with some nice regret-free sleep! - Sagar Shah
HEADLINE OF THE WEEK
Pranav Venkatesh clinches double Gold at World Youth Under-18 Open Rapid and Blitz 2024
GM Pranav Venkatesh scored 9.5/11 to clinch Gold at FIDE World Youth Under-18 Open Rapid 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field. FM Alexander Khripachenko scored 9/11 to secure Silver. FM Roman Pyrih (UKR) got Bronze scoring 7.5/9. Despite a last round loss, it did not affect Pranav's Gold medal chances. Pranav won the Blitz event with a round to spare. He scored 19.5/22 to claim Gold, finished a staggering four points ahead of the competition. Dmitry Mochalov claimed Silver 15.5/22, Khripachenko Bronze 14.5/22. IM Eline Roebers (NED) was the sole girl to play in the Open event. She scored an impressive 7.5/11 to finish fourth in Rapid. The Dutch teenager was one of the only two players to beat Pranav in Blitz. Photos: Luka Rifelj
LEARN ENDGAME TECHNIQUE FROM JACOB AAGAARD!
The most hated cliché in chess is: And the rest is a matter of technique. In A Matter of Endgame Technique, Grandmaster Jacob Aagaard deals with one of the few things chessplayers hate even more – losing a winning position. No serious chessplayer is new to the misery of spoiling hours of hard work in a few minutes! A Matter of Endgame Technique offers the second-best happiness – the misfortune of others – as well as deep explanation of the underlying patterns of how and why we misplay winning endgames. At just under 900 pages, this hardcover book is actually six books in one, explaining the technical and practical areas of chess endgames plainly, simply and deeply.
Endgame theory is well covered elsewhere; this book is all about technique and devoid of material to memorise. This week, we have a special offer running - use the coupon code "ENDGAMEA10" to get a 10% discount on A matter of Endgame Technique by Jacob Aagaard! This offer is only valid till 29th December 2024 - get it now!
LATEST NEWS OF THE WEEK
India wins 33 medals at Asian Schools Championships 2024
India has won 33 medals including 15 individual (4 Gold, 2 Silver and 9 Bronze) medals, 18 team (3 Gold, 10 Silver and 5 Bronze) medals at Asian Schools Chess Championships 2024. Divi Bijesh won double Gold in Classical and Blitz scoring a perfect 9/9 each, Bronze in Rapid Under-9 Girls category. She won both Gold with a perfect score of 9/9. Narendra Agarwal won a Gold in Rapid and a Bronze medal in Blitz Under-11 Open. Vedika Pal won Gold in Classical Under-11 Girls. Total 10 Indians have won at least one medal each in this event. China won the best federation by securing seven medals, Kazakhstan second with four medals and India third with six medals. Kazakhstan secured more Silver than India to be placed second. Photo: Asian Chess Federation
Adarsh Tripathi becomes the latest International Master from Uttar Pradesh
Adarsh Tripathi became the latest International Master of Noida, Uttar Pradesh and India. He achieved the title at IM Swiss Mix Grocka 1 in Novi Sad, Serbia. The first IM-norm was scored at Brno Open IM Round Robin 2023. After eight months, he earned his second IM-norm at Piestany Open 2024 in Piestany, Slovakia. He secured his final IM-norm in the following month and crossed 2400 in the live ratings at the same event. Adarsh also won the tournament where he fulfilled the final criteria to become an IM. His journey towards the GM title continues. Get to know about Adarsh's journey so far. He is third International Master from his Uttar Pradesh after the legendary - Dinesh Kumar Sharma and 45th Olympiad Gold medalist - Vantika Agrawal.
20 ChessBase Premium Accounts Giveaway for emerging chess players
Chess in India is on the rise with many Indian players shining on the national and international platforms. Still, there are certain regions like the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir where players are struggling due to a lack of resources and support. Shivaji Apte and Sidharth Priolkar have decided to donate 20 ChessBase Premium accounts to the emerging players from these regions. Their goal is to bridge the gap and provide players with advanced tools and opportunities. If you are a chess player from these areas, read the article to find out how you can apply.
Chess is Coming to the Esports World Cup 2025
The greatest chess player of all time, Magnus Carlsen has been announced as the Global Ambassador of Esports World Cup Chess. World's top online chess players will compete in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a $1.5 million dollar prize pool. It will take place from 31st July to 3rd August 2025. Time control will be 10 minutes with no increments. Twelve players hoping to compete at the EWC will qualify through the Champions Chess Tour, which will host two online tour events in February and May of 2025. A final Last Chance Qualifier will take place in Riyadh to select the final four competitors. That competition will be open to amateur and professional players alike! Photo: Official site
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