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FIDE WORLD CUP NEWS

Clockwise: Documentary maker Kshitij Deshmukh, chess content creator Dimple Chainani, chocolatier Nayanava De, superfan Rahul Kamble & corporate honcho Lokesh Natoo. (PHOTO: Special Arrangement)

Meet India's chess tragics: A corporate honcho, a chocolatier, a film-maker, a content-creator & a superfan in cycle

December 02, 2025 8:38 pm

Follow stories of a few unique chess enthusiasts who go beyond seeking autographs or selfies and are there to discover and fuel their own passions through the game they love.

Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov is welcomed at Tashkent Airport as he returned from after winning the FIDE World Cup in Goa. (Screengrabs via UzChess Instagram)

How Javokhir Sindarov was welcomed in Uzbekistan: 3-bedroom apartment, cash prize, state title and Prime Minister to welcome him at airport

November 28, 2025 2:28 am

A welcoming party with women wearing colourful traditional attire, boys waving Uzbek flags and what looked like a military marching band were at hand to welcome Sindarov at Tashkent International Airport

L-R: China's Wei Yi, Uzbekistan Javokhir Sindarov and Russia's Andrey Esipenko after qualifying to Candidates via FIDE Chess World Cup. (PHOTO: Michal Walusza/FIDE)

Candidates 2026 Line-up: Full list of qualified players after Sindarov Wei Yi & Esipenko confirm qualification via FIDE World Cup

November 27, 2025 8:58 pm

Sindarov, Wei Yi and Esipenko qualified via the FIDE World Cup 2025 route, having finished in the top three positions.

Javokhir Sindarov's memorable FIDE World Cup triumph: A sweet family surprise, intense preparations, making waves in Uzbekistan

November 27, 2025 9:16 am

When asked if she considered herself a lucky charm for her grandson, who has had a spectacular month in India, the 62-year-old Jamila’s answer was immediate: “Albatta… albatta (of course). I feel I have become a champion myself."

Russian Grandmaster Andrey Esipenko signing autographs after winning the last Candidates spot through FIDE World Cup. (PHOTO: Michal Walusza/FIDE)

Andrey Esipenko Interview: How Arsenal-Tottenham game, Novak Djokovic helped Russian win Candidates spot & overcome heartbreak against Wei Yi

November 26, 2025 8:01 am

After defeating Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Yakubboev in the third-place playoff of FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, Esipenko confirmed his qualification for 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Why Lichess, the Wikipedia of chess, is loved by hobby players and grandmasters alike

November 26, 2025 8:40 am

What makes the site stand out and endears it to top grandmasters and hobbyists alike is that it is a completely free resource that is run by a not-for-profit entity; Srinath Narayanan called it "the only chess app he needs" in a Twitter post earlier this month, while Vidit Gujrathi says it is an “absolute delight to use

Andrey Esipenko Candidates FIDE world Cup

Russia's Andrey Esipenko defeats Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Yakubboev to book Candidates spot

November 26, 2025 8:11 am

“I'm extremely happy; this is probably the best moment in my chess career, but I am so exhausted,” Andrey Esipenko said after the third-place playoff

India’s first individual gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra, makes the ceremonial first move in the FIDE World Cup final in Goa. (PHOTO: Michal Walusza)

Abhinav Bindra: No doubt that Olympics will come to India, only a matter of when

November 25, 2025 3:49 pm

India’s first individual gold medallist says that India should use the Games bid as a catalyst for change. “We don't want the Olympic Games to be just a two-week sporting extravaganza, or the ten days or two weeks of the Paralympics as a sporting extravaganza. We really should bid as a catalyst for change”

FIDE World Cup 2025: Andrey Esipenko rebounds after semifinal heartbreak, moves closer to Candidates spot

November 25, 2025 8:51 am

Following a brutal semifinal tiebreak loss to China’s Wei Yi, Anfrey Esipenko had to immediately regroup to face Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev for the crucial third-place playoff, and he rose to the challenge.