Latest news with #chesscommunity
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Magnus Carlsen, world chess No. 1, signs St Pauli contract extension for 2025-26 Bundesliga season
World chess No. 1 Magnus Carlsen will continue with Bundesliga team St Pauli for the 2025-26 season. Carlsen joined the German team in May 2024. Nicknamed 'the Mozart of Chess', the former world champion helped St Pauli to a 12th-placed finish in the 15-team standings, cementing their top-flight status in their debut season following promotion. Advertisement 'Last season was a great success for the team,' Carlsen said. 'We proved that we can hold our own in the Bundesliga and compete with the very best. I'm looking forward to the team's continued development – and to contributing to it.' Carlsen's arrival at St Pauli came with significant fanfare, his stature and reputation in chess attracting an oversubscription in interest for tickets and his matches were covered by the majority of German newspapers and several television channels. The Norwegian's arrival also meant each of the top-10 chess players in the world were playing in Germany. Both St Pauli's football team and its amateur chess team won promotion to the top-flight in 2024. The club's branding as one of the most widely-recognised left-wing teams in Europe was one of the factors which attracted Carlsen, with his acquisition a significant coup in their attempt for survival. Carlsen attended a St. Pauli match at their stadium, the Millerntor, when they were a struggling second-division team, and he cited the 'relaxed and joyful atmosphere' as a factor in persuading him to become a part of the club. Thomas Schuttler, chairman of the FC St. Pauli chess department, said: 'Magnus Carlsen is not only an extraordinary player but also a tremendous asset to our team culture. His presence has inspired everyone involved. We're thrilled that he's staying on — together, we're writing a special chapter in German chess, in true St. Pauli style.' Carlsen made his debut in the fifth round of the Bundesliga season, defeating Dutch grandmaster Max Warmerdam as St Pauli triumphed over SG Solingen, their first victory of the season. He was then held to a draw by Wei Yi in his side's narrow defeat to Dusseldorfer SK. The 34-year-old has not played for St Pauli since, with appearances at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Weissenhaus and Paris, the TCh-NOR Elite 2024-25 and 13th Norway Chess 2025 comprising a busy schedule. Jan Henric Buettner, founder of Freestyle Chess and sponsor of the team said Carlsen's contract extension 'reflects the strength of our shared project and our ambition to increase the popularity of chess in Germany'.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
World Cup dreams come true for rising young chess stars
Two 11-year-old Aucklanders are excited to compete in the Chess World Cup later this month. Sai Vivan Karthikeya Somaraju and Luna Lu will compete in the Under 12 Open and Under 12 Girls competitions at the FIDE world cup in Batumi, Georgia. Having won numerous titles in New Zealand and abroad, the pair aren't unfamiliar names in the domestic chess community. The duo was supposed to attend the 2023 World Cup in Egypt but dropped out at the last minute due to concerns about hostilities in Gaza. Sai Vivan Karthikeya Somaraju and Luna Lu play a game of chess in May. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Born in Madanapalle, India, Sai came to New Zealand when he was 7 months old and was introduced to chess by his grandfather at the age of 6. "When I started chess, I was playing with my grandfather, and I used to lose to him consistently. Then I got my determination to beat him and eventually I did," Sai said. "And also, my uncle. He used to beat me even after I started beating my grandfather. That's where I got my real chess play after beating both of them." His recent achievements include second place in the Asian Championship in Australia in 2023 for Under 12 and a gold medal for under 10. Sai Vivan Karthikeya Somaraju is excited to compete at the upcoming Chess World Cup. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Sai said he attended club nights at different places around Auckland every week and did puzzles and read books to prepare for the competition. "I'm nervous, but I'm confident," he said. "I'm hoping to at least get in the top three." Sai said lessons could be learnt from chess. "It teaches you about patience and it helps you in real life as well," the 11-year-old said. "I want to go in business when I grow up and there's a lot to do with business chess. If you know chess well, then you can make good moves in business." Sai's mum, Vyshnavi Bandi, said representing New Zealand was a "dream come true" for the young boy. "When he was 7 years old, I can still remember that he wanted to represent New Zealand," Bandi said. "He wanted to go out of the country. ... I'm very proud of him." Sai Vivan Karthikeya Somaraju and Luna Lu stand with their parents at the Auckland Chess Centre in May. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Luna Lu came to New Zealand from Hangzhou, China, when she was 2 years old. She became intrigued by chess pieces when the then-8-year-old was reading a book about board games during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although Luna haven't been playing chess for long, she has won a lot of awards. Luna came ninth in the world cup in Georgia last year. "I remember the food was really yummy. ... It was like a buffet, and every day it was like different food, so you don't get bored of it," Luna said. "I think maybe now that I'm older, I think I might feel more confident than last year." Luna Lu also participated at the Chess World Cup last year. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Luna's mother, Sandy Wen, also expressed pride in her daughter, noting that she worked hard for the opportunity. "I always feel that chess is like a calm and wise guide, gently leading Luna to discover more possibilities on her journey of growth," Wen said. "She has learned to face challenges bravely, to be tenacious in difficult situations and not to give up easily. ... These qualities are more precious than winning or losing and will make her more confident and resilient in life. "I didn't like setting a high expectation for her. ... I think as long as she is doing her best and she is having fun, that's great." Auckland Chess Centre president Bruce Wheeler Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Auckland Chess Centre president Bruce Wheeler said chess had become more popular in New Zealand in recent years. "More people realise it gives their children a form of advantage, helping them to learn about concentration, discipline, competition, visualisation and the rewards of hard work," he said. Wheeler said it was "excellent" that Sai and Luna were going to this event, and his advice was to "play hard". "The only thing you can control in the game is how much effort you put in," he said. New Zealand Chess Federation president Craig Hall said it was an honour that New Zealand was invited to participate in the world cup. "Just qualifying at all is difficult and is a testament to the work put in by players, parents, coaches, clubs, volunteers, the New Zealand Chess Federation Council, sponsors and donors," Hall said. He also said both Sai and Luna were "very strong juniors with excellent results in NZ tournaments". "It's a tough field - making the top 10 would be a very strong performance," he said.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
World chess champ Magnus Carlsen slams table after defeat to Gukesh Dommaraju
Watch World chess champ Magnus Carlsen slammed his fist on the table after losing to 19-year-old reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in Norway.
CTV News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Magnus Carlsen slams table in frustration after shock loss to world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in ‘turnaround of the year'
Magnus Carlsen (left) suffered a surprise loss to Gukesh Dommaraju (right) at the Norway Chess tournament. (Carina Johansen/NTB/AP via CNN Newsource) Magnus Carlsen slammed his fist on the table in frustration after suffering a shock loss to defending classical chess world champion Gukesh Dommaraju at the 2025 Norway Chess tournament on Sunday. Nineteen-year-old Gukesh pounced on a rare mistake from Carlsen at Finansparken in Stavanger, Norway, to seal the 3-0 victory and secure his first classical victory over the five-time world champion. When Carlsen was forced to concede, the 34-year-old slammed his hand on the table in a surprise burst of emotion before shaking Gukesh's hand and leaving the venue quickly, skipping his media duties. The outburst caused a stunned reaction from the commentators with Carlsen usually known for his calm demeanor. Carlsen admitted afterwards that he was left confused by his Indian opponent's tactics. 'I don't completely understand what (Gukesh's) concept is here. It seems to me that I just have excellent play,' Carlsen said afterwards. For Gukesh, who became the youngest-ever world chess champion last year, it was a momentous victory and one which he didn't think would come. '99 out of 100 times, I would lose. Just a lucky day!' Gukesh said afterwards. 'First classical win against Magnus, I mean, not the way I wanted it to be, but OK, I'll take it.' British grandmaster David Howell called Gukesh's victory the 'turnaround of the year' given the nature of the comeback. He also praised the end of the game too. 'Focus. Brilliance. Raw passion, anger, shock. Elation. Sportsmanship. This moment had it all,' Howell wrote on X. Carlsen still remains atop the Norway Chess standings despite the loss with four rounds of games left to play, with Gukesh moving up to third. The tournament has a total prize fund of approximately $148,000, with the winner taking home almost $62,000.
CNN
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Magnus Carlsen slams table in frustration after shock loss to Gukesh Dommaraju in ‘turnaround of the year'
Magnus Carlsen slammed his fist on the table in frustration after suffering a shock loss to defending classical chess world champion Gukesh Dommaraju at the 2025 Norway Chess tournament on Sunday. Nineteen-year-old Gukesh pounced on a rare mistake from Carlsen at Finansparken in Stavanger, Norway, to seal the 3-0 victory and secure his first classical victory over the five-time world champion. When Carlsen was forced to concede, the 34-year-old slammed his hand on the table in a surprise burst of emotion before shaking Gukesh's hand and leaving the venue quickly, skipping his media duties. The outburst caused a stunned reaction from the commentators with Carlsen usually known for his calm demeanor. Carlsen admitted afterwards that he was left confused by his Indian opponent's tactics. 'I don't completely understand what (Gukesh's) concept is here. It seems to me that I just have excellent play,' Carlsen said afterwards. For Gukesh, who became the youngest-ever world chess champion last year, it was a momentous victory and one which he didn't think would come. '99 out of 100 times, I would lose. Just a lucky day!' Gukesh said afterwards. 'First classical win against Magnus, I mean, not the way I wanted it to be, but OK, I'll take it.' British grandmaster David Howell called Gukesh's victory the 'turnaround of the year' given the nature of the comeback. He also praised the end of the game too. 'Focus. Brilliance. Raw passion, anger, Sportsmanship. This moment had it all,' Howell wrote on X. Carlsen still remains atop the Norway Chess standings despite the loss with four rounds of games left to play, with Gukesh moving up to third. The tournament has a total prize fund of approximately $148,000, with the winner taking home almost $62,000.
