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The 2024 Candidates chess tournament, scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, from April 3 to 23, faces an uncertain future due to unresolved visa issues for players and participants. The tournament, which determines the challengers for the world champion title in both the open and women's categories, is at risk of being moved out of Canada if the visa problems are not resolved by Friday.Vladimir Drkulec, president of the Chess Federation of Canada, expressed concern over the situation, stating that "if we cannot resolve these issues by Friday, the tournament will be moved to Spain." He emphasized the need for "political will" to address the issue and expressed cautious optimism that a resolution could be reached before the deadline.The tournament faces uncertainty as many players, including India's teen sensation R Praggnanandhaa, have not received their visas. As many as 40 participants, including 16 players, are yet to secure visas. Vidit Gujrathi, Gukesh D, and Vaishali Rameshbabu, Praggnanandhaa's sister, are among those who have not been issued visas.The International Chess Federation (FIDE) made an urgent appeal last Friday, expressing concern about the lack of visa updates for players who submitted their applications months ago. The appeal, posted on social media, tagged Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, and his department.Drkulec stated that the federation has contacted multiple members of parliament and government ministers, receiving positive responses from their staff. FIDE director general Emil Sutovsky emphasized that the tournament will not be postponed or players replaced due to visa issues.This will be the first time the nearly 70-year-old tournament is being held in North America and will feature 16 of the world's best players. The tournament is a significant event in the chess world, and its relocation would be a major disappointment for the Canadian chess community and fans worldwide.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious in the fifth round of the Prague Masters, defeating compatriot Vidit Gujrathi in a thrilling encounter. However, D Gukesh suffered a disappointing loss to Czech Republic's David Navara, despite holding a strong position.Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattarov continued his impressive run, crushing Mateusz Bartel of Poland to become the sole leader with four points. Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran trails closely with 3.5 points, while Richard Rapport of Romania sits in third with three points.Praggnanandhaa, known for his aggressive style, kept pushing for an advantage against Gujrathi, who initially held his own. However, Gujrathi's misstep allowed Praggnanandhaa to launch a devastating attack, securing the win in 52 moves.Gukesh, on the other hand, had a comfortable position with an extra pawn in the endgame. However, Navara managed to turn the tables, exploiting Gukesh's errors and converting his advantage into a victory.Abdusattarov displayed his dominance against Bartel, opting for the Sicilian Dragon opening and quickly gaining the upper hand. The Polish Grandmaster struggled to find a response, and Abdusattarov sealed the win in just 28 moves.In the Challengers section, Grandmaster R Vaishali suffered a setback against Erwin L'Ami of Holland, while Arjun Erigaisi impressed in the Shenzen Masters by defeating Anish Giri of Holland.With four rounds remaining in the Prague Masters, Abdusattarov holds a commanding lead. Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Navara share fourth place with 2.5 points each, while Gujrathi and Keymer trail with two points.

Viswanathan Anand, the legendary Indian chess grandmaster, recently showcased his wit and love for chess on social media. On Friday, he posted a humorous plea on Twitter, claiming to be kidnapped by chess players Alexandra Botez and Andrea Botez."At the Airport! My Kidnappers, let me go. @alexandrabotez @itsandreabotez," Anand tweeted.The post initially raised concerns among fans, but Anand quickly clarified that it was a joke related to a chess move."Alexandra Botez told me I had to solve a chess position to win my freedom. Andrea asked what Black should play in this position. I told her Kd5, and they let me go," Anand explained in a subsequent tweet.He further elaborated, "Since this is a race, black should play Kd5 Slowing the white king march to the Queen side. And a quicker hostage release!"Anand's post highlights his playful nature and his ability to connect with chess enthusiasts on a personal level. It also demonstrates the growing popularity of chess, particularly among younger generations.In recent years, Anand has been vocal about the golden era of Indian chess. He has praised the exceptional talent and achievements of young Indian chess players, who have consistently performed at the highest levels."I'm throwing in the title early, but they are a golden generation. They are all in the 2,700-plus group (Elo rating). And they're all under 20. That just does not happen; it's really something special," Anand said.Anand's passion for chess extends beyond the board. He recently attended Lollapalooza 2024, where he was spotted enthusiastically singing along to Sting's performance of "Roxanne.""When I was very young, songs like 'Every Breath You Take' and 'Roxanne' by The Police made a huge impression on me. Fast forward to now, and I can say I know most of their songs and Sting's solo albums as well. They've been a constant on my playlist over the years," Anand shared on social media.Viswanathan Anand's contributions to chess and his ability to inspire young players make him a true legend of the sport. His recent social media posts showcase his humor, passion, and the enduring appeal of chess.