Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa kicked off his campaign at the prestigious Candidates Tournament by breaking through the defenses of Dutchman Anish Giri to secure a full point.

Defending champion R Praggnanandhaa lost his second game in as many days, going down to Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, even as D Gukesh was held to a draw by Netherlands' Jorden van Foreest in the Tata Steel Masters Chess.

Top seed ArjunErigaisiscored a convincing victory over compatriot R Praggnanandhaa,while World Champion D Gukesh played out a hard-fought draw against World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan in the first round of the Tata Steel Masters.

International Chess Federation (FIDE) vice president and Indian great Viswanathan Anand believes that this year's world championship can happen in Chennai if R Praggnanandhaa wins the Candidates Tournament.

"Vishy's children are on the loose" is a famous quote by chess legend Garry Kasparov, referring to the incredible rise of young Indian chess prodigies.

The first-ever Dharavi Schools Chess Championship 2025 brought together community, education, and sport in a compelling way, setting a new benchmark for youth engagement in one of India's most densely populated neighbourhoods.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has asserted that the traditional world championship will maintain its hegemony despite the introduction of the Chess World Championship Tour.

The last two years have been most productive for Indian chess in terms of interest the game generated, the success many players from the country enjoyed and chess finally reaching the heights wherein it has become now a full-time career sport.

Arjun Erigaisi and P Harikrishna had another good day as they sent veteran Peter Leko of Hungary and Swede Nils Grandelius packing in the fourth-round tiebreaker.

R Praggnanandhaa survived a scare with white against GM Daniil Dubov in the first game of Round 4.