ircrehab.com – News Features & Broad Perspectives

The Global Chess League Season 3 player draft in Mumbai saw World Champion Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi unite with PBG Alaskan Knights, while Wesley So joined Mumba Masters. The league, featuring top international and Indian talents, is set to debut in India from December 13-24, 2025, at the Royal Opera House.

The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 witnessed Anish Giri's triumph and Vaishali Rameshbabu's repeat victory, alongside Matthias Bluebaum's unexpected Candidates qualification. Despite Gukesh Dommaraju's stumble, the event highlighted India's mixed fortunes and the rise of young talents like America's Abhimanyu Mishra. Divya Deshmukh's fearless performance in the Open section also underscored the growing strength of women in chess, inspiring future participation.

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky refuted Hikaru Nakamura's claims that the Candidates' rating qualification spot was designed for Magnus Carlsen's potential return. Sutovsky clarified that the rule has existed for years and now benefits top players like Nakamura. He emphasised the spot ensures the inclusion of the world's best, not specifically targeting Carlsen, whose return is deemed unlikely.

D Gukesh, the youngest World Chess Champion, revealed that Viswanathan Anand's advice helped him recover after a poor start in Singapore. The 19-year-old admitted overconfidence led to a loss in the opening game, serving as a wake-up call. He revealed the 'pep talk' that gave him perspective and ultimately led to victory.