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D Gukesh, the world champion, faced another setback at the FIDE Grand Swiss, losing to Nikolas Theodorou on Tuesday after a previous defeat. Theodorou, surprised by Gukesh's opening, capitalised on a missed threefold repetition claim by Gukesh. Despite Gukesh's ambition to win with the White pieces, Theodorou secured the victory in 47 moves.

Facing Amin’s king’s pawn opening, Divya Deshmukh responded with the Sicilian Defence, steering the battle into the sharp Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack territory. The Egyptian pressed early, but as the game wore on, the momentum began shifting.

In the FIDE Grand Swiss, R Praggnanandhaa defeated Boris Gelfand after the latter blundered under time pressure. Parham Maghsoodloo leads the Open section with a perfect score, while R Vaishali holds the same distinction in the women's section. Several top games were hard-fought, with D Gukesh and Erigaisi Arjun securing notable victories.

Indian Grand Master Divya Deshmukh is participating in the FIDE Grand Swiss tournament in Samarkand. Despite an opening round defeat by her mentor Abhimanyu Puranik, the 19-year-old rebounded with a draw against Alexander Donchenko. Divya emphasizes learning over winning, stating that losses against strong players provide valuable lessons.

India’s top-ranked Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa remains one of the favourites to secure his 2026 Candidates berth, while Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, Nihal Sarin and Pranav V add firepower to India’s record 15-player open section squad.

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky refuted Hikaru Nakamura's claims that the Candidates' rating qualification spot was designed for Magnus Carlsen's potential return. Sutovsky clarified that the rule has existed for years and now benefits top players like Nakamura. He emphasised the spot ensures the inclusion of the world's best, not specifically targeting Carlsen, whose return is deemed unlikely.

Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko has been handed a three-year ban from FIDE-rated events and lost his Grandmaster title after confessing to hiding a phone during the Spanish Team Championship in October 2024. Tournament officials discovered the phone, prompting an investigation after concerns were raised about Shevchenko's absences.

Goa is set to host the FIDE World Cup in 2025, marking its return to India after 23 years, reminiscent of the 2002 World Junior Championship where Levon Aronian emerged victorious. The event not only boosted Goa's tourism, particularly attracting Russian visitors, but also showcased the region's hospitality and organisational capabilities.

Yosha Iglesias, a 37-year-old chess player, has made history by winning the French Women's Chess Championship, becoming the second transgender player to achieve this feat. Overcoming challenges and online harassment, Iglesias defeated Women's Grand Master Mitra Hejazipour in the final.

Goa is set to host the FIDE World Cup from October 30 to November 27, offering three Candidates Tournament spots and a $2 million prize pool. The event features chess giants like D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, and R Praggnanandhaa. India boasts a strong contingent of 21 players, including Viswanathan Anand, as the World Cup returns to India after 23 years.

Goa will host the FIDE World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27, featuring 206 players competing for a $2 million prize and 3 qualifying spots for 2026 Candidates Tournament. This eight-round knockout event marks a significant moment for Indian chess, following recent triumphs like D Gukesh's World Championship and team victories at the Chess Olympiad.

A grandmaster chess tournament in New Delhi highlights the traditional, silent atmosphere of the game, contrasting sharply with a recent event in Las Vegas where live audiences roared at every move. Players express concerns about distractions caused by spectators, questioning whether chess is truly ready for a live audience setting.