R Praganandha vs Anish Giri (Photo by Michael Waloza) New Delhi: The opening day of the 2026 FIDE candidates at the Cape St Georges Hotel and Resort in Paphos, Cyprus proved that while the rule of chess often predicts a draw when both sides play perfectly, the reality on the board can be far more…
Nihal Sarin and Anish Giri (Photos by Michael Walsza, Lennart Oates and FIDE) New Delhi: As the chess world descends on Cyprus for the 2026 candidates, Anish Giri’s name is synonymous with a single, dismal memory of the past. There were 14 draws in 14 matches. In 2016 the candidates for this legendary race gave…
R Praganandha, Divya Deshmukh, and R Vaishali (Image Credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: Two years ago, when Domaraju Gokesh stormed the candidates in Toronto, the chess world hailed it as a miracle. By the time he eliminated Ding Liren in Singapore to become the youngest ever world champion, that “miracle” had become something else entirely, more…
Divya Deshmukh (Image credit: FIDE) Nagpur: “I’m sure it will happen soon.” Divya Deshmukh, fresh off becoming the World Junior Girls Chess Champion, had instilled confidence in the candidates to play. It was June 2024.Last July, Divya qualified for the 2026 Contenders by becoming India’s first women’s World Cup winner by clinching the Grandmaster title….
Visual representation of Praveen Thipse’s experience (AI-generated image) New Delhi: Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, will be home to the best of classical chess over the next fortnight as it hosts both the Open and Women’s categories of the 2026 Candidates tournament starting on March 28. Acting as the only pathway to…
New Delhi: Chess fans and players are worried about the upcoming Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, mainly due to security concerns and basic amenities like electricity. The island’s proximity to tensions in West Asia and recent attacks on nearby military bases have raised concerns about whether it is the right place to host such a large…
Conero Humpi and Cretan Tournarites New Delhi: Top Indian Grandmaster (GM) Konero Hampi has pulled out of the 2026 Women’s Candidates tournament in Cyprus, saying she did not feel it was safe to travel for the event. His decision has drawn criticism, particularly from the Cyprus Chess Federation.Hampi made her position clear as she wrote…
Koneru Humpy (photo by Lennart Ootes/FIDE). New Delhi: In a move that has sent shockwaves through the international chess community, India’s veteran Grandmaster (GM) and World No. 5 Conero Hampi has now officially withdrawn from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus. Citing a “level 3” travel advisory and rising tensions in the Middle East,…
Anna Muzyczuk (Image credit: X) New Delhi: Ukraine’s Anna Mozychak has replaced Konero Hampi at the Candidates Tournament in Cyprus after the Indian grandmaster pulled out, citing security concerns due to the host country’s proximity to ongoing conflicts in West Asia. The tournament, which will determine the challengers for the world championship titles currently held…
India’s Koneru Hampi (PTI photo) Top Indian Grandmaster Konero Hampi has announced his decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament, citing personal safety and well-being as his primary concern. The tournament, which starts on March 28 at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus, is the only way to match…