Monthly Archives: March 2025

The Real Paul Morphy

“Paul Morphy is an object of pity,” wrote the New York World in 1877. “He is sane on a few subjects, but his old hobby – chess – is so distasteful to him that he cannot bear to talk about his former exploits. It would really be an act of charity to remove him from […]

Nihal Sarin shines in Tashkent

The Agzamov Memorial took place from 21 to 29 March in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, attracting a strong field of international players in Group A. Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin claimed outright victory with an unbeaten 8/10 score, finishing ahead of a competitive field that included eight 2600+ rated players. Among the standout performances was 15-year-old Uzbek IM […]

Ethics Commission sanctions Kirill Shevchenko with a ban of three years

Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko has been handed a three-year worldwide ban, with one year suspended, following allegations of cheating at the 2024 Spanish Team Championship. The FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission (EDC) found that Shevchenko had hidden a mobile phone in a toilet but could not determine with certainty that he had used it to gain […]

Harikrishna’s journey from becoming a Junior Champion to training the World Champions

Pentala Harikrishna, one of India’s finest chess grandmasters, has built a life in Prague, blending his passion for chess with a deep connection to the city. In an insightful interview with Sagar Shah, Harikrishna shares his journey – from his rise in the global chess rankings to his experiences working with world champions Gukesh and […]