8/2/2025 – Magnus Carlsen won the first-ever chess tournament held at the Esports World Cup, defeating Alireza Firouzja with two consecutive 3–1 set wins in the Grand Final. The Norwegian performed convincingly throughout the four-day event, displaying consistent control and clock management in every stage. Earlier on the final day, Hikaru Nakamura edged Arjun Erigaisi 3½–2½ to secure third place. The tournament featured a fast-paced, no-increment format. | Photos: Esports World Cup

8/1/2025 – The third day of the 2025 Esports World Cup chess tournament featured both the quarterfinals and semifinals, with Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja advancing to the Grand Final. In the semis, Carlsen edged out Hikaru Nakamura in a tightly contested match that went to Armageddon, while Firouzja defeated Arjun Erigaisi 4–1. Nakamura and Arjun will meet in the third-place playoff. | Photos: Esports World Cup

8/1/2025 – The 19th Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament, held in Nice from 13 to 25 March 2010, saw a gripping duel between 19-year-old Magnus Carlsen, who had just become the highest-rated player in the world, and Ukrainian star Vasyl Ivanchuk, the only player to take part in all editions of the event. Both finished on 14½/22 points, but their paths to victory differed: Ivanchuk remained unbeaten throughout, while Carlsen played uncompromisingly, drawing only 3 out of 22 games. | All photos: Nadja Wittmann

7/31/2025 – Day two of the 2025 Esports World Cup chess tournament concluded the group stage, with Ian Nepomniachtchi, Nihal Sarin, Hikaru Nakamura and Nodirbek Abdusattorov advancing from the Losers Brackets to complete the quarterfinal lineup. Each won two matches to stay in contention for the $250,000 first prize. Meanwhile, eight players - including Giri, Vachier-Lagrave and Caruana - were eliminated. The remaining participants are now guaranteed at least $85,000 as the knockout phase begins. | Photos: Esports World Cup

7/31/2025 – The Clash of Generations match in Marseille between veteran grandmaster Peter Svidler and 14-year-old Yagız Kaan Erdogmus concluded with a 4-2 classical victory for the Turkish prodigy, who impressed with strong preparation and mature play. Svidler responded by dominating the blitz section 10–2. The event offered a structured 6-game classical match followed by a 12-game blitz segment, highlighting contrasting strengths across formats and marking a milestone in Erdogmus's rapid rise. | Photo: Mark Livshitz / FIDE

7/30/2025 – The 2025 Esports World Cup chess tournament began on Tuesday in Riyadh, with four players advancing directly to the quarterfinals from the upper bracket of their respective groups. Magnus Carlsen, Alireza Firouzja, Arjun Erigaisi and Levon Aronian each won two matches to secure qualification. The remaining twelve players will now compete in the Losers Bracket, where only one from each group will progress to the knockout stage of the $1.5 million event. | Photos: Esports World Cup

7/29/2025 – The 2nd Dole Trophy Pasino Grand Aix 2025 brought together over 400 players from more than 40 countries for a 9-round Swiss tournament held in Aix-en-Provence, France. With a prize fund exceeding €30,000 and a strong Masters section featuring over 100 titled players, the event concluded with a rapid playoff between GM Iniyan Panneerselvam and GM Jan Malek. Iniyan emerged victorious after scoring 1½–½ in the tie-break. | Photos: Shahid Ahmed / ChessBase India

7/28/2025 – The knockout stage of the Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh has determined the final four participants for the Esports World Cup chess main event. After a long day of intense rapid matches, Nihal Sarin, Javokhir Sindarov, Anish Giri and Levon Aronian claimed qualification. They now join twelve invited players, including Carlsen, Nakamura and Firouzja, in the 16-player tournament that begins on Tuesday, 29 July. | Photos: Aditya Sur Roy / ChessBase India

7/27/2025 – The first half of the "Clash of Generations" match between Peter Svidler and Yagız Kaan Erdoğmuş in Marseille has concluded with the score tied at 1½–1½. The six-game classical encounter has already featured a decisive win for each player and one strategic draw. From a sharp French Defence to dynamic Sicilian play, both contenders have shown their readiness to fight in complex positions. | Photo: Harry Gielen

7/26/2025 – The first games of the Women's World Cup final and third-place match in Batumi both ended in draws. Divya Deshmukh missed a promising attacking chance against Humpy Koneru, while Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie played a balanced game in the Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined. The second classical games will be played tomorrow, with Humpy and Lei having the white pieces. A win would secure the match without tiebreaks. | Photo: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

7/26/2025 – The Last Chance Qualifier for the Esports World Cup chess event is underway in Riyadh, with 16 players set to battle for the final four places in the main tournament. Held from 24 to 26 July, the qualifier began with a two-day group stage and concludes with a double-elimination knockout on Saturday. The winners will join twelve invited players, including Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja, in the $1.5 million main event starting on 29 July. | Photos: Aditya Sur Roy / ChessBase India

7/25/2025 – The 2025 US Chess Championships for Juniors, Girls and Seniors produced three new title-holders. Andy Woodward secured first place in the Junior section with 6½/9, while top seed Zoey Tang finished half a point ahead of Megan Paragua to win the Girls' Junior Championship. In the Senior Championship, Alexander Fishbein triumphed in a three-way playoff against Vladimir Akopian and Alexander Shabalov to claim his first title in the event. | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

7/24/2025 – Humpy Koneru defeated Lei Tingjie in a closely contested tiebreak match to join Divya Deshmukh in the final of the Women's World Cup in Batumi, marking the first all-Indian final in the event's history. After two drawn classical games, Humpy prevailed 5–3 following rapid and blitz stages. Both finalists have secured places in the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament, while Lei Tingjie and Tan Zhongyi will compete for third place and the final qualification spot. | Photo: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

7/24/2025 – Divya Deshmukh became the first finalist of the Women's World Cup after defeating Tan Zhongyi in a dramatic 101-move game, securing both a place in the final and qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. The second semifinal between Humpy Koneru and Lei Tingjie ended in another draw after a complex rook endgame, and will be decided in tiebreaks on Thursday. The third-place match also offers a remaining spot in the Candidates. | Photo: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

7/21/2025 – Levon Aronian won the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas by defeating Hans Niemann 1½–½ in Sunday’s final, securing his first title and the $200,000 top prize. Magnus Carlsen beat Hikaru Nakamura to finish third and maintain his lead in the overall tour standings. Fabiano Caruana and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu claimed fifth and seventh place, respectively, as the first Freestyle Chess event held in the United States came to a close. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

7/20/2025 – Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura advanced to the third-place match of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas after winning their lower bracket encounters on Saturday. Carlsen defeated Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Arjun Erigaisi, while Nakamura overcame Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana. Sunday's final day will also feature Hans Niemann vs. Levon Aronian for the title, as well as placement matches for fifth and seventh place. | Photo: Lennart Ootes

7/19/2025 – The first games of the Women's World Cup quarterfinals saw wins for Lei Tingjie and Humpy Koneru, who now lead their respective matches. Lei defeated Nana Dzagnidze in a game which saw the Georgian GM losing on time after a scoresheet miscount, while Humpy overcame Song Yuxin with the white pieces. Divya Deshmukh drew against Harika Dronavalli, while Vaishali Rameshbabu missed a chance to press against Tan Zhongyi. | Photo: Anna Shtourman / FIDE

7/19/2025 – Hans Niemann and Levon Aronian advanced to the Grand Final of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas after winning their semifinal matches on Friday. Niemann defeated Fabiano Caruana in tiebreaks, while Aronian overcame Arjun Erigaisi in two classical games. In the lower bracket, Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Wesley So and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu stayed in contention for third place. The final weekend will decide the tournament's champion and remaining podium positions. | Photo: Lennart Ootes