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Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Team India's historic double gold triumph at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad, declaring that "Bharat is brimming with energy and aspirations."India's exceptional performance in Budapest culminated in gold medals for both the men's and women's teams on Sunday. Addressing the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, PM Modi lauded their achievements."India is a nation brimming with energy and dreams. We witness new milestones every day. Today, both our men's and women's teams have brought home gold medals from the Chess Olympiad," he said.In the final round, India's men's team, led by D Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna, emerged victorious over Slovenia to secure the gold. Gukesh and Erigaisi's wins gave India an early 2-0 lead, while Praggnanandhaa's subsequent victory and Vidit's draw sealed the gold with a 3.5-0.5 triumph.Meanwhile, the Indian women's team, featuring Harika Dronavalli, R. Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal, and Tania Sachdev, also clinched gold by defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5. Harika, Divya, and Vantika secured individual victories, while Vaishali drew her match.PM Modi's visit to New York marks the second leg of his three-day trip to the United States. On Saturday, he participated in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.The Quad has emerged as a pivotal group of like-minded nations collaborating for peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi and President Biden explored new avenues to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.PM Modi will also engage with prominent American business leaders, who play a crucial role in fostering the unique partnership between the world's largest and oldest democracies. He is scheduled to address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Chess legend Magnus Carlsen has vehemently opposed the potential reinstatement of Russia and Belarus into the International Chess Federation (FIDE) ahead of a crucial vote this weekend. The two countries were expelled from FIDE in 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Carlsen, who was honored as the greatest player of all time at a FIDE gala in Budapest, used his platform to advocate against the readmission of Russia and Belarus. He cited the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the need to maintain sanctions against the aggressor nations."In Garry's honor, I'm sure he would take the opportunity to advise against reinstating the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federation, so that is what I will do as well," Carlsen stated.Garry Kasparov, a renowned Russian grandmaster and outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, echoed Carlsen's sentiments. "Indeed I would, and do!" Kasparov wrote on social media.The proposed readmission of Russia and Belarus has sparked controversy within the chess community and beyond. Ukraine's sports minister, Matviy Bidny, praised Carlsen's stance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sanctions against Russia and Belarus while the war continues."Sanctions against Russia and Belarus should only be strengthened as long as the war continues, as dictatorial regimes are trying to legitimise the war against Ukraine by using sport and athletes," Bidny said.Carlsen, a five-time world chess champion, has consistently dominated the sport since 2013. His unwavering opposition to the readmission of Russia and Belarus underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for the chess community to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Defending world chess champion Ding Liren has conceded that his Indian challenger, D Gukesh, is the favorite to win their upcoming title showdown in November. Liren's admission comes as Gukesh has been in impressive form at the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad, leading the Indian team to five consecutive victories."I can see my opponent (Gukesh) playing extremely well in this tournament. Maybe he is a favorite in the World Championship Match. He also has a higher rating than me," Liren said in an interview with the International Chess Federation (FIDE).Liren, who won the world crown in May 2022, has struggled for form in the past year. He took a break from the game due to depression and returned to action earlier this year at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, finishing ninth.Gukesh, on the other hand, has been on a meteoric rise. He became the youngest challenger to the world title at the age of 17 after winning the Candidates tournament in April.The two will clash in Singapore from November 20 to December 15 for the coveted title and a prize fund of USD 2.50 million. Should Gukesh prevail, he would become the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to claim the title.Liren acknowledged the possibility of a close battle between India and China for the gold medal in the Olympiad. "We are two very strong teams. We have a chance to fight for the gold medal," he said.Gukesh, however, remained cautious, saying that all participating teams are strong. "All countries are strong, we have to come everyday with the right spirit...We have a nice mood in the team, it's enjoyable," he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian cricketer, has ventured into the world of chess with the launch of his newly minted team, the American Gambits. The team's entry into the Global Chess League (GCL) marks a significant milestone for Ashwin and his co-owners.The American Gambits' anthem, titled "Make The World Go," embodies the team's bold and fearless approach to the game. Composed by acclaimed music director Charan Raj and performed by Karthik Chennojirao (KC), the anthem captures the unity, intensity, and strategic depth that the Gambits aspire to showcase on the global stage.Leading the team is Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, a renowned chess prodigy who recently secured third place at the Speed Chess Championship. Nakamura's strategic prowess and fearless play are expected to drive the team's ambitions. Joining him are Jan-Krzysztof Duda, known for his aggressive style and recent victories, and Vladislav Artemiev, whose calculated approach complements the team's strategy.The team also boasts a strong women's contingent, with Bibisara Assaubayeva, the reigning women's world rapid champion, bringing a quick and efficient playstyle. Elisabeth Paehtz's experience adds depth and stability to the team, while young prodigy Jonas Buhl Bjerre represents focus and unity.Lending expertise from the sidelines is RB Ramesh, renowned for coaching the illustrious R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali. Ramesh's guidance will be invaluable as the team navigates the challenges of the GCL.Ashwin expressed his excitement about the new venture, stating, "For us, chess is all about bringing out the best on the board—driven by passion, ridden by strategic bent of mind, and perfectly playing the role of a gambit. We as a team want to popularize and promote chess in India and globally. The anthem encapsulates that spirit of fearlessness and ultimate triumph. We are excited and waiting to show the world how we will play boldly."Nakamura emphasized the team's ethos, stating, "Chess is not just about moving pieces on a board—it's about precision, timing, and the ability to remain fearless in the face of overwhelming odds. This season, we're ready to push boundaries and make bold sacrifices to claim victory. The anthem represents everything we stand for."The American Gambits are poised to make a significant impact on the GCL with their impressive roster and dynamic vision. Their bold and fearless approach, coupled with the expertise of their coaching staff, promises to make them a formidable force in the world of chess.

Indian chess prodigy Shubhi Gupta has once again showcased her exceptional talent by bagging two medals at the recently concluded Commonwealth Chess Championships in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. The 16-year-old from Ghaziabad clinched the gold medal in the girls' U-16 category and a bronze medal in the girls' U-20 category, demonstrating her dominance in both age groups.In the U-16 category, Shubhi displayed remarkable consistency, securing seven wins and two draws. Her exceptional score of eight points out of a possible nine placed her ahead of her compatriots Mrittika Mallick (7 points) and Yashvi Jain (6.5 points), who finished second and third respectively.Shubhi's competitive spirit was further evident in the Open category, where she competed against seasoned Grandmasters, International Masters, and Women Grandmasters. Despite the formidable competition, she managed to score 4.5 points, securing her a bronze medal in the U-20 girls' division.Reflecting on her success, Shubhi expressed her delight at performing consistently in both the U-16 and Open categories. She attributed her success to the experience of playing against top international players and the confidence gained from her previous achievements, including winning the Commonwealth U-12 title and the World Cadet Championship.Shubhi's father introduced her to chess at a young age, and she has since consistently delivered outstanding performances on the national and international platforms. Her latest triumph has further boosted her confidence and serves as a testament to her dedication and hard work.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's hopes of a strong finish at the Sinquefield Cup took a hit as he squandered a winning position against Wesley So of America in the fifth round. The Indian prodigy, who had a chance to move into contention for the title, faltered in the endgame, allowing So to escape with a draw.Praggnanandhaa's setback was compounded by World Championship challenger D Gukesh, who settled for a hard-fought draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. The Indian duo, who have been in impressive form this year, have now dropped valuable points in the tournament.Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja of France emerged as the sole leader after beating Anish Giri of Holland. The French prodigy, who has been in scintillating form, now has 3.5 points, a half point ahead of So.The other matches in the 10-player round-robin tournament ended in draws. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, Ding Liren of China, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, and Fabiano Caruana of the United States all shared the third spot on 2.5 points each.Praggnanandhaa's loss was particularly disappointing as he had been in a commanding position against So. The Indian had a significant material advantage in the endgame but failed to convert it into a victory. This has been a recurring theme for Praggnanandhaa, who has often struggled to close out games from winning positions.Despite the setback, Praggnanandhaa remains in contention for a top-three finish. He will need to bounce back strongly in the remaining rounds and hope that the leaders falter.

Two years ago, the chess world was rocked by a major scandal involving American grandmaster Hans Niemann and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Niemann's victory over Carlsen in the Sinquefield Cup sparked accusations of cheating, which Niemann denied. Despite the lack of evidence, the controversy has continued to follow Niemann.In the wake of the scandal, Niemann has launched a series of one-on-one matches against fellow grandmasters, titled "Hans Niemann Against The World." Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi, who faced Niemann in one of these matches, believes that Niemann's actions are beneficial for chess."I think what Hans is doing is good for chess," Gujrathi said. "Every sport has special characters who bring money and attention to the game and evoke strong emotions in people."Niemann has expressed a desire for an apology from Carlsen, but has also stated that his "vengeance will be victory on the board." He is scheduled to face Carlsen in the semifinals of the Speed Chess Championship in Paris on September 6.Former world No. 2 Levon Aronian, who played in the controversial 2022 Sinquefield Cup, believes that Niemann is a talented player but has reservations about his actions."I think Hans is a talented player who can reach the heights in chess," Aronian said. "But I can't say I support him. In a way, he's using this whole story perhaps to his advantage."The controversy has also sparked a conversation about cheating in chess. Aronian and Gujrathi agree that more stringent anti-cheating measures are needed."Anti-cheating measures have to be more stringent," Gujrathi said. "When you allow spectators, there has to be a delay in broadcast. They shouldn't be able to see the live position when they come in."Despite the challenges he faces, Niemann remains determined to become a top player."He has everyone rooting against him," Gujrathi said. "But that doesn't stop him. If anything, it fuels him."

In the highly anticipated first encounter between reigning World Champion Ding Liren and 18-year-old Indian prodigy D Gukesh at the Sinquefield Cup, the two chess titans played out a tense draw in Round 1.Despite Ding's 2-0 advantage over Gukesh in classical chess, the Indian teen held his own, showcasing his remarkable talent. The game began with Ding holding the White pieces, and on move 18, Gukesh made a surprising decision that drew criticism from commentators.Gukesh pushed his Black pawn to d4, opening up a potential mating threat on the kingside. Ding, with his hands resting on his face, pondered his next move for half an hour before playing the anticipated Queen to h6. However, he loosened his grip with a subsequent bd3 move, allowing Gukesh to create a passed pawn and counterplay opportunities.Earlier in the day, Gukesh was spotted entering the World Chess Hall of Fame with his trainer and father. The teen recently received a Mercedes-Benz E-class as a gift from his Chennai school. Despite his recent success, Ding has dropped to his lowest ranking since 2016, while Gukesh has reached his highest-ever ranking of world no. 6.After the game, Ding admitted to wanting to surprise Gukesh in the opening while preserving his preparation. He also acknowledged his improved form and the lessons he has learned from his recent losses.The draw in Round 1 sets the stage for an intriguing rematch between the two players later this year in their World Championship match. Gukesh's performance against the reigning champion demonstrates his potential to challenge for the highest honor in chess.

Team MGD1, led by Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, made history by securing the silver medal at the inaugural World Blitz Team Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. The tournament, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), featured 40 teams competing in a group-cum-knockout format.Team MGD1, composed entirely of Indian players, dominated Pool B, winning all seven matches. In the knockout stage, they defeated Astana-2 and Israel's Ashdod Chess Club to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, they faced Al-Ain, the World Rapid Team Champions, and emerged victorious in a tie-breaker.The final match against Team WR Chess was a thrilling encounter. Erigaisi, India's highest-rated player in Classic Ranking, upset former World Champion Magnus Carlsen on the top board in Round 1. However, Carlsen's teammates secured victories on the other boards, giving Team WR Chess a comfortable lead. Team MGD1 fought back in the second round, holding the eventual champions to a 3:3 draw, but it was not enough to force a playoff."Beating Magnus Carlsen in any format is special," said Erigaisi. "But more than that win, it's the collective performance of the team that helped us with the silver medal. The way we bonded and fought for each other makes this medal so special."Team MGD1's success is a testament to the growing strength of Indian chess. The team's lineup included GM Srinath Narayanan, SL Narayanan, B. Adhiban, former Women's World Championships bronze medalist D. Harika, and amateur Mihir Shah."It's a very proud moment for all of us," said MGD1 co-founder Sreekar Chennapragada. "We at MGD1 are committed to the development of chess in India, and that is one of the reasons we fielded an all-Indian line-up in Astana. The players rose to the occasion."Team MGD1's silver medal is a significant achievement for Indian chess and a testament to the team's hard work and dedication.