Latest news with #InternationalMasters
News18
28-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Indian GM P. Iniyan wins Dole Open International Chess title
Agency: PTI New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Indian Grandmaster P Iniyan clinched the 2nd Dole Open International Chess title defeating Poland's Jan Malek in the tie-breaker after both the players were deadlocked at the top with 7.5 points apiece in the French city of Aix-en-Provence. Iniyan, 22, who hails from Erode in Tamil Nadu, remained undefeated in the tournament, scoring six wins, including against International Masters from Uzbekistan, Madagascar, Turkey, France and Poland, besides three draws. He scored 7.5 points in nine games and was tied for first place with GM Malek, in a tournament that had 276 participants, including 39GMs, from 43 countries. In fact, Iniyan won the last four games in a row, especially the crucial penultimate and final games. The first game of the tie-break against the Polish GM ended in a draw. In the second game, Iniyan, playing with black pieces, won to take his tally to 1.5-0.5 and clinch the title. GM Pavel Eljanov of Ukraine, who was leading the tournament until the last game which he lost, finished third on the podium with seven points. PTI AM AM AH AH Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Brave Divya stuns China's Zhu again, leads India's charge to Chess WC quarters with Humpy, Harika, Vaishali
1 2 3 4 5 6 Nagpur: World Junior No. 1 Divya Deshmukh and India's top three ranked players — Koneru Humpy, D Harika and Vaishali Rameshbabu — made it to the quarterfinals of the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, on Friday. All four Indians confirmed their last eight berths through the tiebreak route played in the shorter rapid and blitz formats with different time controls. Playing an all-out attacking game became Divya's winning weapon against China's World No. 6 and experienced Grandmaster Zhu Jiner as the 19-year-old won her first rapid tiebreak game while defending with black pieces to take the lead before playing out a fighting draw with her whites to clinch the fourth round 2.5-1.5. India No. 1 Koneru Humpy outclassed Switzerland's Alexandra Kosteniuk 2.5-1.5 by winning the first rapid tiebreak game, utilising her opening advantage with white pieces and splitting the point with the black bits. Harika registered a superb come-from-behind victory over higher-ranked Kateryna Lagno of Ukraine 3.5-2.5 in the second rapid tiebreak played with a 10-minute time control. Vaishali took the blitz route to enter the quarterfinals. Vaishali rallied splendidly after losing her opening tiebreak game to get the better of lower-ranked Kazakhstan IM Meruert Kamalidenova 4.5-3.5. For Divya, making it to the quarterfinals with a stunning win over a player who in the morning took her live classical ranking to world No. 3 was a bit of an emotional moment. After controlling her emotions, Divya nervously cracked her fingers and shook hands with Zhu. The day started with Divya toppling Zhu in the marathon 99-move battle while defending with black pieces in the opening game of the tiebreaks. In the rook and three-pawn endgame, Divya was about to win the rival rook by queening her pawn. Zhu had no option but to resign. Following up her thrilling win where she converted the drawish position into a winning one, Divya fought bravely in the second game with her white pieces. Making the most of Zhu's 45th move blunder, Divya, despite being a pawn and a piece down but with an attacking queen, played out a 57-move draw by repetition to advance to the quarterfinals. With Divya forcing Zhu to make an early exit, the quarterfinal line-up will now have four Indians, three Chinese, and a Georgian GM. A total of six Grandmasters and two young 19-year-old International Masters (IMs), including Divya and China's Yuxin Song, remain in the fray to grab the three spots for the Women's Candidates tournament. In the quarterfinals, Divya will face Harika, ensuring India's presence in the semifinals. Humpy will take on Chinese youngster Yuxin, Vaishali will be up against Tan Zhongyi, and top seed Lei Tingjie will square up against Nana Dzagnidze.
Gulf Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
350 players to compete in Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship
The eighth edition of the Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship has achieved a historic milestone, attracting a record-breaking 350 male and female players from 60 countries. This marks the highest number of participants in the tournament's history, reflecting its growing prestige and global appeal within the international chess community. The Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship will be held under the patroinage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The championship, organized by the Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club, will be held from May 16 to 26. The Organizing Committee of the Sharjah International Chess Masters Championship has announced the closure of player registration. Topping the tournament's rankings is Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the 2021 World Rapid Chess Champion. He was also a member of Uzbekistan's national team that won the Chess Olympiad and currently holds a FIDE rating of 2771. Abdusattorov previously won the fifth edition of the Sharjah Masters in 2022. The championship features 156 titled players competing in the main tournament for participants rated above 2500, including 69 Grandmasters and 16 International Masters. In the secondary tournament, designated for players rated below 2500, the field includes 8 Grandmasters, 35 International Masters, and 28 FIDE Masters. Meanwhile, the Organizing Committee, chaired by Omran Abdullah Al Nuaimi, continues to hold meetings to finalise all organizational, administrative, and logistical arrangements in preparation for the arrival of the international participants. Al Nuaimi expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his continued support of sports and athletes, particularly in the field of chess, and for generous patronage of the tournament. He affirmed that the committee's continued efforts are focused on delivering an event that reflects the high standards of the UAE and the Emirate of Sharjah, which has consistently excelled in hosting major international events. 'We take pride in our accumulated experience and the dedication of our national professionals,' he added. He further noted that the tournament enjoys global recognition, with many world champions keen to participate each year. 'We always strive to bring in the best and most competitive players to enhance the tournament's level, and the technical, administrative, and organizational benefits will undoubtedly be substantial,' he concluded.
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship set to begin on May 16
The Sharjah Cultural and Chess Club has announced the launch of the 8th edition of the Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship. The Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship is being organised annually under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 16 to May 26, 2025, attracting over 350 rated players from around the world, including numerous Grandmasters (GMs), International Masters (IMs), and titleholders. In its recent board meeting chaired by Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, the Club's Board of Directors confirmed the formation of the tournament organising committee. Imran Abdullah Al Nuaimi has been appointed as Chairman of the organizing committee, Abdullah Murad as tournament director, and Faisal Al Hammadi as chief arbiter and Head of the Technical Committee. Sheikh Dr. Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi expressed his profound gratitude to Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his unwavering support of sports, especially chess, and his consistent patronage of the event. He emphasized that this prestigious backing places a significant responsibility on the organizers to maintain the championship's growing reputation on the international chess circuit, with Sharjah's name now resonating prominently across the global chess community. He further thanked the Sharjah Sports Council for its ongoing support, highlighting that hosting high-profile tournaments contributes immensely to the technical development of players, the administrative and organizational capacities of officials, and the nurturing of a highly skilled cadre of national arbiters and organizers. Sheikh Dr. Khalid also noted that this edition of the Sharjah Masters has witnessed an unprecedented response, with over 350 registered players to date, including a large number of Grandmasters, International Masters, and past champions. Registration remains open, and the remarkable turnout underscores the tournament's significant status within the FIDE-rated global chess calendar.
Arab Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah to patronize the third annual chess tournament in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, April 27: Under the patronage of Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al-Sabah, Honorary President of the Sea Club, the third annual chess tournament will take place from May 2nd to 3rd at Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mubarak Hall, located at the Kuwait Sea Sports Club. The competition will be held in the evening from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with the event concluding on the second day, followed by a closing ceremony to honor the winners and distribute cash prizes totaling approximately $70,000. In a statement to the press, tournament sponsor Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah shared that the tournament has attracted 14 Grandmasters (GMs) and 13 International Masters (IMs). He expressed excitement about the participation of both international players and local talent from Kuwait and other residents, highlighting the opportunity for players to compete alongside world-class champions and refine their skills. Khalaf Al-Azmi, head of the organizing and arbitration committees, emphasized that the tournament is officially recognized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and follows the Swiss system of nine rounds. He noted that the tournament is one of the premier international chess events, drawing widespread participation from both Kuwait and abroad. Al-Azmi also mentioned that Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah is committed to ensuring the event's success and to furthering Kuwait's dedication to the sport of chess. Al-Azmi concluded by reminding players that registration for the tournament remains open until 9:00 pm next Thursday.
