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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi GM chess open 2025: Veteran Abhijeet Gupta claims top spot after defeating Mamikon Gharibyan in round 7
GM Abhijeet Gupta seized the sole lead at the 21st Delhi International Open with a Round 7 victory, shaking up the leaderboard. His win places him ahead of a tightly packed group, including GM S L Narayanan and GM Boris Savchenko, who drew their top-board clash. Several other GMs secured crucial wins, intensifying the competition for the ₹1. NEW DELHI: The 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 saw significant changes as GM Abhijeet Gupta secured the leading position with 6.5 points after defeating GM Mamikon Gharibyan in Round 7. The Indian GM now stands alone at the top as the tournament enters its final phase. The crucial match between GM S L Narayanan and GM Boris Savchenko concluded in a draw, leaving both players at 6 points. They now form part of a competitive group pursuing the leader, alongside other successful contestants from Wednesday's matches. The seventh round produced several significant outcomes affecting the tournament's upper ranks. GM Mihail Nikitenko reached 6 points after winning against GM Alexei Fedorov, whilst GM Vitaly Sivuk achieved the same score by defeating Alekhya Mukhopadhyay. GM Diptayan Ghosh joined them after besting GM Aleksej Aleksandrov. GM Luka Paichadze and GM Manuel Petrosyan drew their match, each reaching 5.5 points, matching the scores of IM Semetey Tologontegin and GM Aditya S Samant who also drew. IM Neelash Saha maintained his impressive performance by defeating Bivor Adak, whilst IM Aronyak Ghosh secured victory over GM Nguyen Duc Hoa in an intense contest, both reaching 6 points. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ثلاجات غير مباعة متاحة الآن – انقر وشاهد الأسعار! ثلاجات | إعلانات البحث ابحث الآن With three rounds remaining, eight players trail Abhijeet Gupta by half a point, intensifying the competition for the ₹1.21 crore prize fund. Each upcoming match could prove crucial for the final standings. The tournament expanded with Category C's commencement, attracting 1,250 participants and highlighting the event's inclusive nature. This addition strengthens the Delhi GM Open's position in developing chess talent across all levels. This premier Asian chess competition has drawn over 2,500 participants from more than 20 nations, including 24 Grandmasters. Organised under the All India Chess Federation, the tournament offers a ₹1.21 crore prize pool and remains significant in India's chess calendar.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Exclusive: Bangladeshi chess player deported from India; 80-year-old legend Rani Hamid 'disturbed' by events
80-year-old Bangladeshi chess legend Rani Hamid NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's renowned 80-year-old chess player Sayeda Jasimunnessa Khatun, better known as Rani Hamid, arrived in India earlier this month to participate in the 21st edition of the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament (June 7-14). The journey that began in high spirits took a troubling turn when her travel companion and compatriot, Ashiya Sultana, was denied entry into the country upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sultana, 37, was reportedly blacklisted by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for participating in a chess tournament in Kolkata while on a medical visa during a previous visit. As a result, she was held at the Airport immigration centre overnight and denied access to her luggage. Subsequently, she was deported to Bangladesh the following day. The incident left Rani Hamid visibly shaken and emotionally distressed. 'I am very sad," Hamid told on the sidelines of the Delhi GM Open. "The person who came with me was not allowed to enter India. She was made to sit overnight at the immigration centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo They did not even give her access to her luggage. The next day, she was forced to buy a return ticket at double the price,' she said. 'My mind is disturbed, and I am unable to focus on the game.' As a result of the unfortunate turn of events, Hamid (rated 1800+) has had a challenging run in the tournament so far, securing one win and one draw out of six rounds, all against lower-rated opponents. Hamid, who has long refrained from travelling alone for tournaments due to her growing age, added, 'I never travel alone. I always have someone with me. She was accompanying me, and now she is gone. I have been left alone.' Poll Do you think the immigration policies regarding sports participants need to be more transparent? Yes, definitely No, they are fine as is Not sure Speaking further on the situation, the 80-year-old, who became Bangladesh's first Woman International Master (WIM) in 1985, voiced deep concern over the apparent lack of coordination between the Indian and Bangladeshi authorities. 'Her passport was clear, all documents were in order, but immigration told her she had been blacklisted for playing in a previous tournament on a medical visa," Hamid continued. "At the time, she wasn't even aware that it was a violation. If she had been informed earlier, she would never have come. The Indian authorities should have notified the Bangladesh Chess Federation.' Bombay Sport Exchange Ep. 6: Harish Thawani on cricket's TV market and the watershed moments Hamid added that she pleaded with immigration officials for leniency. 'I requested them: if you believe she violated the rules, then impose a fine, $100, $200, whatever, but let her stay and play for seven days. She is not a criminal. She hasn't committed any crime. She didn't kill, steal, or rob anyone. Her only offence is that she played chess.' Despite the emotional strain, Rani Hamid, however, acknowledged the support and hospitality provided by the organising committee of the Delhi Chess Association (DCA). ALSO READ: Rs 50,000 a month and countless sacrifices: How India's chess future shapes up in Chennai hut With the tournament held at The Tivoli, a resort in Chhatarpur, Delhi, where international participants are also accommodated, it takes Hamid less than five minutes to walk from her room to the playing hall. 'It is very comfortable here. I can play only because of that comfort. I am very grateful to the organisers who sent tickets and invited us so warmly,' she said. DCA president Bharat Singh Chauhan described the incident as one of the many challenges that come with organising a major international event. "Visa issues are common for foreign players. In this case, the FRRO had blacklisted her. Perhaps she had previously come to India for medical treatment and ended up playing in a chess tournament, which may have led someone to file a complaint. As a result, she was denied entry. These kinds of challenges are part and parcel of hosting large-scale events," he explained.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Delhi GM Open: Narayanan, Deepan, Abhijeet, Diptayan, Petrosyan continue winning streaks on Day 3
New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): Day 3 of the 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 delivered another thrilling chapter at Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur, as Round 4 featured several high-stakes matchups and standout performances from both Indian and international contenders. India's top seed Grandmaster (GM), Narayanan S L , led the charge with a solid win over Vietnam's GM Nguyen Duc Hoa, while Diptayan Ghosh, Deepan Chakkravarthy, and Abhijeet Gupta each registered clinical victories to maintain their momentum. Among international players, Manuel Petrosyan, Mihail Nikitenko, Mamikon Gharibyan, Boris Savchenko, and Luka Paichadze also continued their winning runs with confident performances. The day also saw key draws in closely contested games, including Aleksej Aleksandrov vs Karthik Venkataraman, and Aronyak Ghosh vs Mikulas Manik, as top boards fought to hold ground in an increasingly tight field, as per the Delhi GM Open press release. Adding to India's strong showing at the top, Dinesh Sharma and Harsh Suresh notched up important wins to stay in the lead group, while Aditya S Samant continued his consistent run with another solid victory, keeping himself in contention as the tournament progresses. A noteworthy performance came from Bivor Adak, who held Pantsulaia Levan to a draw -- a result that reflects the grit and growth of India's grassroots chess talent. Now in its 21st edition, the Delhi GM Open continues to draw global attention as Asia's largest classical-format open chess tournament. With over 2,500 participants from more than 20 countries, including 24 Grandmasters, and a record prize pool of Rs1.21 crore, the tournament stands as a premier stage for chess excellence and talent discovery. Organised under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation, the event remains a cornerstone of India's competitive chess calendar and a true celebration of the sport's growing appeal. (ANI)
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Delhi GM Open 2025: Deepan Chakkravarthy, Narayanan, Sivuk among leaders after double-round Day 2
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Day 2 of the 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 brought double the drama as players faced off in Rounds 2 and 3 at Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur. With two classical-format games scheduled for the day, stamina and precision were put to the test as early leaders began to emerge, according to a release from Delhi GM Open. India's top seed GM Narayanan S L (2600) continued his flawless run, moving to 3/3 after defeating Arnav Agarwal (2096) in Round 3. Joining him at the top of the table are GM Deepan Chakkravarthy (2410), GM Vitaly Sivuk (2522), GM Mihail Nikitenko (2520), GM Karthik Venkataraman (2550), GM Abhijeet Gupta (2538), and IM Arsen Davtyan (2402), all of whom registered three wins in three rounds. The leaderboard remains tightly packed heading into an exciting Day 3. IM Aronyak Ghosh (2510) also maintained his perfect score with a composed win over Guru Prakash, keeping pace with the front-runners in a fiercely competitive field. The day was equally memorable for India's emerging crop of players. Vairaj Sogerwal, still riding high on his Round 1 upset over GM Karen H Grigoryan, continued to showcase resilience against stronger opponents. Singh Arshpreet (2075) moved to 2/3 with another composed showing, while FM J Ramakrishna (2036) and CM Akila Kavinda (2010) also stood at 2 to the surprises, Sai Kuchibhotla (2014) delivered a gritty performance to hold GM Tornike Sanikidse (2425) to a draw, a result that exemplifies the rising standard of India's grassroots chess talent. Now in its 21st edition, the Delhi GM Open has cemented its place as Asia's largest classical-format open chess tournament. With over 2,500 players from 20+ countries, including 24 Grandmasters, and a record prize pool of Rs1.21 crore, the tournament continues to offer a platform for India's brightest prospects to take on global heavyweights. Organised under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation, the event remains a cornerstone of India's competitive chess calendar and a true celebration of the sport's growing appeal. (ANI)
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
From staging a wedding to hosting Delhi Chess Open, how venue was readied overnight
The Delhi Chess Association (DCA) was on tenterhooks as the venue for India's largest chess event – the Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament, featuring one of the largest gatherings in the sport (2,400 players) – was hosting a wedding that continued well past midnight on Friday, the eve of the first round. However, once the DCA was granted access to the playing hall – at 1:30 AM on Saturday – volunteers worked through the night to ensure an on-time start at 9:30 AM at Chhatarpur's Tivoli Gardens Resort in southwest Delhi. Everything fell into place, just like at an Indian wedding. With 32,000 chess pieces, 1,000 boards, as many clocks, stacks of scoresheets, thousands of pens, an army of volunteers and arbiters, the open event is by no means a small affair. 'You have to consider the financial aspect,' says Gopakumar Sudhakaran, the man behind the staging of the event. 'Securing a hall in one of Delhi's finest resorts isn't cheap. Even one extra day would've blown the budget. From the outside, it may seem like a lack of planning, but we knew we'd pull it off.' 'Once we got the hall, volunteers scrambled to set up backdrop panels, sponsor branding, and additional lighting — the existing set-up wasn't enough. Then came arranging tables, chairs, chess boards, pieces, and scoresheets — all coordinated by the DCA,' Sudhakaran tells The Indian Express. After the record-breaking 17th edition of Delhi Open, which featured 2,800 players, this year's event marks a resurgence in participation post-pandemic, following last year's turnout of less than 1,000 players. The players, divided into three categories based on ratings, are mostly accompanied by parents and other family members, creating a massive human footprint for the seven-day Delhi GM Open. Yet, when the first round began sharply at 9:30 AM, right on time, everything was in place. Inside the playing venue — two separate halls for Category A and B — the chaos was oddly synchronised. A long queue of players split the smaller hall — where top players like SL Narayanan, Abhijeet Gupta, Levan Pantsulaia, and Manuel Petrosyan were competing — into two equal halves, as they shuffled between the facilities, coffee stalls and water stations. The arbiters, unperturbed by the chatter, efficiently assisted players ranging in age from 7 to 80. But what does it take to host an open chess event in India? 'A lot of things,' says Sudhakaran. How hard could it be to manage a group of players in an indoor sport, compared to handling a large-scale outdoor sporting event? A familiar name on the chess circuit, Sudhakaran wears multiple hats at open and invitational events, not just across India, but globally. The first Indian appointed as Deputy Chief Arbiter at the 44th Chess Olympiad and a fair-play officer at multiple World Championships – including the 2023 title clash between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren – he brings vast experience to the table. 'Unlike invitational events, which are smaller, we can't announce open tournament dates a year in advance,' Sudhakaran explains. 'We must account for numerous factors. To accommodate so many players, we need a large, suitable venue. That's where it all begins, selecting a space based on expected entries.' 'We estimated around 2,000 to 2,200 players for this event, considering past trends and ongoing tournaments in India,' he says. Sudhakaran was entrusted with ensuring the smooth conduct of the Delhi GM Open — a responsibility spanning everything from releasing event details and inviting players to negotiate appearance fees, booking flights, arranging stays, accommodating special requests, and even managing last-minute withdrawals (including refund demands for no-shows). 'Organising a tournament of this scale requires months of detailed planning, coordination, and complete dedication. It involves more than just managing logistics,' says Bharat Singh Chauhan, DCA president and chairman of the organising committee. Unlike Open events in Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Kottayam – which face fewer logistical challenges due to limited entries – the Delhi Open stands apart in scale and significance. The tournament has served as a historic milestone for many players, most notably when current World Champion D Gukesh earned his final GM norm here in 2019, becoming one of the youngest Grandmasters in the game. International Arbiter and former interim AICF Secretary Vipnesh Bhardwaj explains the tournament's appeal: 'Everyone waits for the Delhi Open — it's the most anticipated event for players. Delhi's geographical location makes it easily accessible, with all transport options available. Add to that good organisation, which takes care of everything, and of course, the legacy of the event.' According to Sudhakaran, when a tournament of this scale begins on schedule, half the battle is already won. So what's next on his priority list? 'A good night's sleep – first and foremost,' he chuckles.
