Author: Atreyo Mukhopadhyay

Her name is not often heard in the noise created by the young bunch in Indian women’s chess. She remains near the spotlight, not directly under it. If Koneru Humpy is the pillar and Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali are the faces of the new generation, where is she? D Harika is very much there and the best-performing Indian woman in the Global Chess League (GCL) played in Mumbai at the moment. With two wins and three draws, she has helped the Upgrads Mumba Masters move up to second at the halfway stage of the competition. Triveni Continental Kings are…

About seven weeks ago in Goa, Leon Luke Mendonca stood crestfallen outside the playing hall at the FIDE World Cup. His father was by his side. His campaign was over following an unexpected first-round defeat. The player from Goa should be feeling better at the moment. The 19-year-old is giving a good account of himself at the Global Chess League (GCL) in Mumbai. Representing Alpine SG Pipers, Mendonca started with a draw, lost one, before posting two straight wins. The fourth-round triumph over world rapid champion Volodar Murzin ranks among the upsets of the event. He is the best-performing Indian…

One year is a long time. In December 2024, D Gukesh was the new world chess champion. Literally, it was a ‘leap year’ for him. He won the Candidates, excelled at the Olympiad and became the youngest to bag the biggest prize. As another December heads towards the third week, the reality is different. Gukesh experienced more downs than ups in 2025. He started on a good note, finishing second on tie-breaker at the Tata Steel Masters. After that, it was time to come face to face with the other side of a sportsperson’s life. A summary of Gukesh’s first…

The Global Chess League (GCL) is underway in Mumbai and two rounds have been completed. The IPL-style event featuring six teams and 36 players is played in the rapid format. This is a good warm-up opportunity for those from this bunch taking part in the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Doha from December 25. It’s been an underwhelming start by the Indians. There are nine of them in action at Royal Opera House. They have completed two games each. Dronavalli Harika posted a win in the first round. Raunak Sadhwani defeated compatriot Leon Luke Mendonca in the second. The…

D Gukesh (PC: @DGukesh) The staging of the FIDE World Cup in Goa and India’s growing presence in global chess has raised expectations. Not just in terms of performance, but also regarding more high-profile events coming to the country. The next year is crucial. D Gukesh will defend his World Championship crown in the third or fourth quarter of 2026. Will that big match be held in India? Will the All India Chess Federation bid for it? This question is not easy to answer at the moment and here is explaining why… What the convention is Usually – there…

R Praggnanandhaa will be one relieved man at the Global Chess League which began in Mumbai on Sunday (December 14). In a galaxy of stars missing Magnus Carlsen, the Indian is the last player to have qualified for next year’s Candidates Championship. Mission 2025 accomplished, he can enjoy himself in the third edition of this glamourous event. It’s been a long year for the Chennai player. He played in at least 10 countries and four continents, travelled across time zones, won four titles including two super strong events, entered the top-10 in March and stayed there since, while rising to…

Portugal are the runaway favourites to top Group K at next year’s FIFA World Cup. It’s a title that places Lionel Messi above Cristiano Ronaldo in certain evaluations. The Portuguese will be keen to set this right. Colombia should look to make this their best World Cup. Group K Portugal Fixtures Vs New Caledonia/Jamaica/DR Congo, June 17, Houston, 22.30. Vs Uzbekistan, June 23, Houston, 22.30. Vs Colombia, June 28, Miami, 05.00. Previous best Third place in 1966. How they qualified Portugal topped Group F. They won four games, drew one and lost one. Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time highest goal-getter…

It’s that time of the year when what Magnus Carlsen wears becomes global headline. The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships will be played in Doha from December 25-30. Why is Carlsen’s choice of attire a talking point? The Norwegian superstar caused a stir at this event last year when he turned up in jeans, which is against the FIDE’s dress code, showed his middle finger to the world governing body after being pulled up and eventually quit the rapid segment. He came back in jeans to win the blitz title. That sort of drama apart, there is not a…

This is Germany’s redemption World Cup. The four-time champions failed to get past the group stage in the last two editions. This group, on paper, looks like a cruise for the giants. But then, they won’t take anything for granted. GROUP E GERMANY Fixtures Vs Curacao, June 14, 22.30 Vs Ivory Coast, June 21, 01.30 Vs Ecuador, June 26, 01.30 Previous best Champions in 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014. How they qualified Lost to Slovakia in their opening qualifier in Group A. They posted five straight victories after that, including a 6-0 hammering of Slovakia in the last match, to top…

All the talk in the Indian chess community is revolving around R Praggnanandhaa and his chances of qualifying for next year’s Candidates Championship. It is a prestigious competition, second only to the World Championship in hierarchy. Three Indians had made it to the eight-player event last year, and with Pragg the only one with a chance this time, the spotlight is naturally on him. If he wins the Candidates, next year’s World Championship will be contested between him and D Gukesh. Getting overshadowed by that excitement and anticipation is the fact that three Indians have made it to the Candidates…