&w=3840&q=100)
‘I used to beat Indians at will': Former legends on India's growing supremacy in chess
India's rise in chess is being noticed by the world now. The recently concluded Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament clearly showed that young Indian players are taking over and giving tough competition to experienced global stars at the biggest of stages.
The tournament was organised by the Delhi Chess Association and saw more than 350 players, including Grandmasters, International Masters, and many rising Indian talents, take part. Several young Indians outperformed big international names during the event.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta won the tournament, his record fourth title at the prestigious event. He scored 8.5 points out of 10 to win the trophy and a seven lakh prize money. Belarusian GM Mihail Nikitenko claimed second place and Indian GM Diptayan Ghosh won the third prize.
Also Read: Carlsen takes a brutal dig at Gukesh, Erigaisi after winning Norway Chess: 'I can outplay the kids'
It was very hard for me: Sanikidze
One of the international players, 36-year-old Georgian GM Tornike Sanikidze, struggled to keep up. He was seeded 18th but finished 53rd. Speaking after the tournament, he said, 'This tournament is very beautiful and very hard. There are so many grandmasters, and so many kids. That makes it a very strong tournament. It was very hard for me.'
'I was here in 2013. Even then, I could see the new generation coming. Back then, I was rated 2518, and I left at 2513; that's how hard it was to play Indians. And now? Look at the top 10. There are four Indians. The world champion is Indian. That says everything.'
Meanwhile, 50-year-old Slovak GM Mikulas Manik, was equally impressed with Indians. 'India has done remarkable work with its young talents. And it's only getting better. The chess quality here is improving at a rate that's hard to believe,' he said.
Also Read: Hikaru Nakamura's WR Chess wins World Blitz Team Championship in controversial fashion: 'This whole appeal thing was a mess'
I used to beat Indian girls at will: Rani Hamid
Rani Hamid, the 80-year-old legendary chess player from Bangladesh, also shared her honest thoughts on Indian players. 'I used to beat Indian girls at will. It felt good back then. But now, look where India is, and where we are. The difference is too big.'
19-year-old Indian GM Gukesh Dommaraju is the current Chess World Champion. He defeated China's Ding Liren at the age of 18 to win the world title last year. Other Indian players like Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa , and Aravindh Chithambaram are also making waves in the chess world.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Ex-England cricketer shares where India lost Lord's Test – 'The eight-minute over flipped…'
India's Shubman Gill and England's Zak Crawley have words at the end of the third day during the third cricket test match between England and India at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP) Former England pacer Stuart Broad revealed where the third Test between India and England flipped and made the Lord's Test a classic. England won the Lord's Test by 22 runs and lead the five-match Test series 2-1. The fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting from July 23. "I think the whole Test match flipped on that brilliant over at the end of Day Three," Broad said on For the Love of Cricket, his new podcast with Jos Buttler. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Broad was referring to the last over before the end of the day's play, where tempers flared between Indian fielders and England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. "It was sort of eight minutes to go. Obviously, England were thinking we can make this one over, India wanted to get two in. It had been a really sort of slow Test match, although we had Rooty's class with a hundred, KL Rahul's class with a hundred. India vs England: India fall short at Lord's, England lead series 2-1 "Then this over came, and Crawley's under a bit of pressure. Obviously, Bumrah charging in, pulling away—just absolute carnage and chaos. I think I put on my Instagram that I'd been whinging about slow play, mainly aimed at the umpires, who just dawdle along like they're listening to classical music between overs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Concentrated Siberian Ginseng Extract 2oz Superior Ginseng Undo It takes forever for the play to start. I'd been whinging about everything speeding up, and then this over took eight minutes—and it was the most brilliant eight minutes of drama and play-acting. "Shubman Gill loses the plot and starts effing and blinding at Zak. I think that ignited the Test match completely because they walked off the field, Crawley got through it, still ding-donging on the way back to the pavilion," he added. Buttler chimed in and said the incident also riled up England captain Ben Stokes, who was watching everything from the Lord's balcony. Poll What was the turning point of the Lord's Test according to Stuart Broad? Last over of Day Three KL Rahul's century Ben Stokes' leadership Shubman Gill's outburst "I thought this Test showed both sides just how much this series meant to them—how desperate they were to win," he said. "I mean, Stokes the captain just drags his team with him all the way, and then the impact—you know, then you think about him watching that one over from the balcony thinking, 'Right, it's game on. You're going after one of my players, this is it. It's all on the line. We can't wait to get out there and have a go back at you,'" said Buttler. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Why is team Aryan facing a backlash over the name choice at PMWC 2025?
(Image via PUBGM_NewsNow's "X" Account) Team Aryan, India's champion PUBG Mobile squad, is facing significant criticism weeks before representing the nation at PUBG Mobile World Cup 2025 (PMWC). The entire backlash stems from the in-game name of players, raising concerns over the historical connotations. While the skills of the team remain undisputed, the rising debate now highlights a fine line between global sensitivities and gaming culture. Team Aryan name choice cause huge esports controversy before PMWC 2025 Though unintentional, the team Aryan name has evoked historical associations. The names 'Aryan' and a player's chosen alias name, 'Hitler,' are the core issues here that sparked disapproval. Both these names carry huge historical weight and are drawing criticism against the team. The esports players are being called out for carrying an association with Nazi ideology, despite not having one. Despite the team claiming they have no ill intent, the organizers of PMWC 2025 are not enforcing strict naming policies in order to avoid controversy. The esports tournaments, especially global events like PMWC, give priority to inclusivity. Any names linked to hate speech or oppression are often banned for maintaining professionalism. While the performance of players remains commendable, alias here have overshadowed achievements, forcing them to rethink branding within competitive gaming. Team Aryan's name choices' historical weight Adolf Hitler, the Nazi party leader, is globally reviled for the role he played in the Holocaust and the initiation of devastating conflict. To use the name, even as the gaming handle is seen as deeply offensive and trivializing immense suffering. On the other hand, the term Aryan, while having an older linguistic origin, got radically misappropriated by Nazis for promoting the fake ideology of racial superiority. It directly led to genocide and persecution. The contemporary use of it quite often signals alignment with the ideologies of white supremacists. Indian Esports player's struggles continue Indian esports athletes have long battled significant obstacles beyond the game. Amidst all concerns (lack of recognition, bureaucratic hurdles and more), securing a visa for the international tournament has been the most notorious and recurring nightmare. Teams like, GodLike Esports FS Esports Indian Tigers TeamIND Team SOUL Have all faced either delays or devastating rejections, forcing them to make last-minute withdrawals. It even severely hampered their online play. Despite it all, players have persevered and proved their mettle on the international stages. Despite overcoming all logistical barriers, now, Team Aryan is facing scrutiny over their name choice. It just underscores how esports players must ensure to navigate not just the in-game strategies but even cultural sensitivities. The current backlash highlights the requirement of better awareness when one is representing a global audience. Broader impact of the entire controversy The Team Aryan controversy is not just about a team, but it reflects upon the increased influence and responsibilities of esports. With competitive gaming gaining mainstream traction, organizations and players must consider the implications of branding. What looks like a harmless alias in a region could carry heavy baggage someplace else. The tournament organizers are now likely to tighten up naming policies further. They will ensure the esports field remains welcoming for all. As for Team Aryan, it can mean rebranding before the PMWC 2025. The entire incident serves as a reminder that within the connected world, even the gamers' name could spark a global debate. So, why not be aware from the start? Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"You're Not Here For A Cruise": Sunil Gavaskar Goes Point-Blank After Shubman Gill-Led India's Loss
After India's loss in the Lord's Test, the Shubman Gill -led side face a must-win situation in the fourth Test against England that starts on July 23. In this eight-day gap, Sunil Gavaskar wants Indian players to play County games, especially those stars who have not got a chance. The loss in Lord's, by a 22-run margin, exposed Indian top-order batting vulnerability while there is a chance that India might want to try new faces with the ball too. Gavaskar wants the players, who may be included in the fourth Test team, to get some crucial match practice as there is a gap of more than a week between the third and the fourth Test. "You should get some cricket. You are playing for India. You are not here for a cruise or something like that," Gavaskar said. Then, Harsha Bhogle suggested players like Akash Deep, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Arshdeep Singh, Nitish Reddy should play in County games during the break. "Even Kuldeep Yadav. Suddenly, you want them in the team. With what practice you want them in the team?" Gavaskar replied. Meanwhile, India captain, Shubman Gill expressed disappointment and frustration after the team's narrow defeat in the third Test at Lord's, falling just 22 runs short of victory. Gill reflected on the team's performance, expressed pride in his team's performance despite missing out on a chase of 193 runs. Following his side's narrow 22-run loss to England in the third Lord's Test, Indian skipper Shubman Gill expressed pride in his team's performance despite missing out on a chase of 193 runs and explained how they could have applied themselves better with the bat on the final session of day four. India experienced one of their most heartbreaking losses in Test cricket despite a resilient half-century by Ravindra Jadeja and a solid supporting act played by tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Team India missed out on a 193-run chase, falling short by 22 runs after a brilliant fight from a troublesome situation of 82/7. Speaking in the post-match presentation, the Indian skipper said that he was confident of a successful run-chase, and a couple of 50-run partnerships from the top order could have done the job. "We were not able to do that (get top order partnerships), and they played better than us. There is always hope as long as there is a batsman batting, there is always some hope, because the target was not massive and a fifty-sixty run partnership we knew we would be back in. He (Jadeja) is very experienced, and did not want to give him any message. I think he was batting really well with the tail and I just wanted him and the tail-enders to bat as long as possible," he added.
