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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.

Franchise sports have gained immense popularity in India, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) leading the way. The success of IPL has inspired franchise competitions in various other sports, including basketball. The Elite Pro Basketball League (EPBL) and Elite Women's Pro Basketball League (EWPBL) are the latest additions to this growing trend.Unlike other franchise competitions, EPBL and EWPBL not only include a category for men but also have a dedicated competition for women. Despite their promising start in 2022, these leagues have faced challenges from the Basketball Federation of India (BFI). The BFI has issued warnings and circulars against EPBL and EWPBL, citing unauthorized events.However, the leagues remain optimistic about their future. Sunny Bhandarkar, CEO of Elite Pro Basketball, believes that basketball's lack of popularity in India stems from the absence of a clear roadmap and professional ecosystem. EPBL and EWPBL aim to bridge this gap by providing a platform for players to pursue basketball as a profession.Bhandarkar also acknowledges the role of the BFI in hindering basketball's growth. He urges the federation to support private tournaments and allow athletes to participate in them. He believes that this will enhance the level of play and benefit the national teams.EPBL and EWPBL aspire to reach the popularity of IPL or ISL in the future. They aim to create a comprehensive ecosystem for basketball in India, including grassroots development, collegiate tournaments, and advanced coaching camps.Despite the challenges posed by the BFI, EPBL and EWPBL remain committed to their mission of promoting basketball in India. They believe that by providing a professional platform and a clear roadmap, they can inspire a new generation of players and elevate the sport to new heights.

India's women's junior cycling team made a remarkable start at the Asian Track Cycling Championships, securing a gold medal in the sprint event on the opening day. The team, comprising Sarita Kumari, Niya Sebastian, Zaina Mohammed Ali Pirkhan, and Sabina Kumari, showcased exceptional teamwork and determination to outpace South Korea, the reigning Asian champions, with an impressive timing of 53.383 seconds. This historic victory marks a significant achievement for Indian cycling and sets the tone for a promising performance throughout the championships.The men's junior team, consisting of Narayan Mahto, Syed Khalid Baghi, and Mayanglambam Wattaba Meitei, also displayed their prowess on the track, securing a silver medal in the team sprint event. Despite facing stiff competition from the Korean team, the Indian cyclists demonstrated resilience and determination, finishing with a time of 47.936 seconds. Their performance highlights the growing talent and potential of India's young cyclists.Adding to India's medal tally, the women's junior team of Harshita Jakhar, Suhani Kumari, Dhanyadha JP, and Bhumika clinched a bronze medal in the team pursuit event. In a closely contested race, the Indian cyclists edged out their Chinese Taipei counterparts, showcasing their endurance and tactical skills. This achievement further underscores the depth and strength of India's cycling contingent.The para-cycling team also contributed to India's medal haul, securing a silver medal in the para team sprint event. Arshad Shaikh, Jalaluddin Ansari, and Basavaraj Horaddi displayed remarkable determination and skill, demonstrating the indomitable spirit of para-athletes. Their performance serves as an inspiration to aspiring cyclists with disabilities.The Indian senior team, featuring experienced cyclists such as Esow Alben, Rojit Singh, and Ronaldo Singh, will be expected to continue the nation's success in the senior category. With nearly 500 riders from 18 countries participating in the tournament, including Olympic and world championships medallists, the competition is expected to be fierce. India's strong contingent of 42 cyclists will aim to rise to the challenge and bring home more medals.The Asian Track Cycling Championships serve as an Olympic qualification event, adding to the significance of the competition. The Indian cyclists will be determined to make the most of this opportunity and secure their spots at the upcoming Olympic Games. Their performances in the tournament will be closely watched by cycling enthusiasts across the country, who will be cheering them on to achieve even greater success.

In a thrilling encounter, India and the Netherlands locked horns in the second leg of their FIH Pro League match in Rourkela, Odisha. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a shootout where the Netherlands emerged victorious with a 4-2 scoreline.The Netherlands drew first blood early in the game when Floris Middendorp scored in the fourth minute, marking his first international goal. India fought back and found the equalizer through vice-captain Hardik Singh in the 38th minute, keeping the match level.The shootout proved to be a tense affair, with Araijeet Singh Hundal and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scoring for India. However, Sukhjeet Singh and Shamsher Singh missed their attempts, handing the Netherlands the victory and two points. India managed to secure one point from the match.The match witnessed intense pressure from both teams, with India applying early pressure but failing to capitalize on their chances. The Netherlands took the lead with their first circle entry, showcasing their clinical finishing. India's goalkeeper, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, made some impressive saves, denying the Netherlands from extending their lead.The second quarter saw a neck-and-neck battle, with both teams showcasing their defensive prowess. India's defenders marked the Dutch players tightly, preventing them from creating clear-cut chances. In the 27th minute, Sukhjeet Singh thought he had equalized for India, but the goal was disallowed due to a body hit. India's video referral was unsuccessful in overturning the decision.After the break, the match continued to be fast-paced and end-to-end. India earned their first penalty corner three minutes into the third quarter, but skipper Harmanpreet Singh failed to beat the Dutch first rusher. Eight minutes later, India secured another penalty corner, and this time Hardik Singh scored from a rebound, leveling the score.The final quarter was a hard-fought battle, with both teams penetrating each other's circles but failing to find the winning goal. The Netherlands earned a penalty corner, but India's first rusher, Manpreet Singh, bravely defended to deny the Dutch.India will now face Australia on Saturday before concluding their Pro League home campaign against Ireland on Sunday.

The Indian women's table tennis team displayed resilience and determination in their final group tie against Spain at the 2024 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan, South Korea. Trailing 0-2, the team rallied back to secure a 3-2 victory and advance to the knockout stage as the second-best team in Group 1.Ayhika Mukherjee, who had previously delivered a momentum-shifting win against Hungary, once again stepped up for India. Facing Elvira Rad in the crucial third rubber, Ayhika displayed her fighting spirit and emerged victorious with a 3-2 (11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4) scoreline.Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula then completed the comeback for India. Manika defeated Maria Xiao 3-0 (11-9, 11-2, 11-4), while Sreeja overcame Sofia-Xuan Zhang 3-1 (11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 11-3).The Indian men's team also secured a spot in the knockout stage, albeit with a less convincing performance. They defeated New Zealand 3-0 in their final Group 3 tie, finishing third with two wins and two losses.The Indian teams' quest for a team quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics, awarded to the quarter-finalists, continues on Wednesday. The women's team faces Italy in the Round of 32, followed by a potential clash with fourth-ranked Chinese Taipei in the Round of 16. The men's team will take on Kazakhstan for a place in the Round of 16, where they could face hosts Korea.Ayhika Mukherjee's consistent performances have been a key factor in India's success at the tournament. Despite being ranked 153 in singles, she has delivered crucial wins against higher-ranked opponents, including world No. 1 Sun Yingha.The Indian women's team's comeback against Spain showcased their mental strength and ability to perform under pressure. Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula also played their part in the victory, contributing important wins in the deciding rubbers.The Indian men's team, on the other hand, will need to improve their overall performance if they want to make a deep run in the tournament. They face a tough challenge against Kazakhstan in the Round of 16, followed by a potential clash with Korea, who defeated them 3-0 in the group stage.

Anush Agarwalla, a 25-year-old equestrian from Kolkata, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Indian to secure an Olympic berth in dressage for the country. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in Indian equestrian sports and opens up new possibilities for the nation's participation in the upcoming Paris Olympics.Agarwalla's journey to the Olympics has been a testament to his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence. From his early days as an eight-year-old enrolled at Kolkata's Tollygunge Club to his subsequent training in New Delhi and eventual move to Germany in 2017, Agarwalla has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the sport.Under the tutelage of 2004 Olympic champion Hubertus Schmidt, Agarwalla honed his skills and nurtured his Olympic dream. Despite facing doubts and challenges along the way, he persevered and remained steadfast in his pursuit of greatness.Agarwalla's qualification for the Olympics is a culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. He earned the Olympic quota based on his impressive performances in four FEI events, showcasing his exceptional riding abilities and the remarkable bond he shares with his mount, Sir Caramello Old.The road to Paris is not without its challenges, and Agarwalla recognizes the importance of strategic planning and meticulous preparation. He has meticulously crafted a training schedule that includes prestigious CDI events in Germany, providing ample opportunities to refine his tactics and strategies.Agarwalla's achievement has not only brought immense pride to India but has also inspired a new generation of aspiring equestrians. His story serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, dedication, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams.

Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing is gearing up for the 2024 DTM season with a formidable lineup of drivers and teams. The brand will be represented by two established Performance Teams: Mercedes-AMG Team HRT and Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD Racing. At the helm of the racing cars from Affalterbach, Germany, will be a quartet of talented drivers: Lucas Auer (Austria), Maro Engel (Germany), Arjun Maini (India), and Luca Stolz (Germany).Mercedes-AMG is celebrating 130 years of motorsport under the motto "Defining Motorsport since 1894," coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the DTM. The brand aims to bring the DTM trophy back to Affalterbach after its 2021 victory.Mercedes-AMG Team HRT will rely on the proven driver pairing of Arjun Maini and Luca Stolz, who have been teammates since 2022. Maini, the first Indian driver in DTM, made history in 2021 with a second-place finish at the Norisring. He showed strong form in the second half of the 2023 season and has been promoted to Mercedes-AMG Performance Driver status for 2024.Mercedes-AMG Team WINWARD Racing will field Maro Engel and Lucas Auer, both experienced and successful drivers in the DTM. Engel, a former DTM champion, has 13 race wins to his credit, while Auer has won four races and finished second in the championship standings twice.The 2024 DTM season will consist of eight rounds with a total of 16 races, taking place in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. The season opener will be held at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben from April 26 to 28, with the official test days in Hockenheim scheduled for early April.Arjun Maini expressed his excitement about returning to the DTM in 2024, aiming to deliver consistently strong results and build on his previous experience. He is particularly looking forward to the Norisring, where he scored his maiden DTM podium.Mercedes-AMG is determined to reclaim its dominance in the DTM after a challenging 2023 season. The brand is focused on building on its previous achievements and is confident in the abilities of its drivers and teams to bring home the championship title.