https://www.chess.com/events/2026-quantbox-chennai-grand-masters

October 2014 was the first time Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana held no.1 and no.2 simultaneously and it remained the same 12 years later.

I have been going to see the Chennai GMs for the last 3 years. Every single time, I have hoped to get a picture with Arjun Erigaisi, my all-time favorite chess player. This year in the strangest of fashions I got a picture with him while he was waiting for the elevator.

Got a picture with Pranesh as well, fresh off his win yesterday against the World Champ.

Speaking of the World Champ, had a brief opportunity to speak a few words with him as well as he was headed to the elevator but alas couldn't get a picture with him. But next year perhaps.

Source: https://www.chess.com/events/dole-open-2026/05/Nepomniachtchi_Ian-Kvaloy_Aksel_Bu

Game Link: https://www.chess.com/events/2026-quantbox-chennai-grand-masters/07/Andreikin_Dmitry-Abdusattorov_Nodirbek

I work at a old people's home, and there is this lovely old man who sits the whole day in front of his costum made chessboard, waiting for an opponent - but no one want or knows how to play. I talked to him and said that I know the game a bit. His eyes lit up instantly, and he asked if I want to play with him. I told him I'll be at work on Saturday, and if there are no emergencies, I play with him.

The problem is, I know basically nothing. I know how each piece is a allowed to move, and that I need to take out the king. That's it. So now I need a crash course in basic chess to make the game enjoyable for him.

He was qualified for our national chess team 30-40 years ago, so I think he knows how to play :D

Can someone recommend me some videos or tips/tricks so I don't look like a complete fool? Thanks.

Edit: thanks for all the replies. I will do some bot games and just ask him if he wants to teach me how to play. I think you all are right, he will be more happy about company than actual playing the game.

Hey all

My wife has shown some interest in getting into chess, with her main idea being that we play together on a physical board. Playing online or on an app is not appealing to her - nor is playing with strangers.

Firstly, this is amazing and extremely exciting to me, as I love the idea of sharing one of my hobbies with her; but secondly, I have no idea how to facilitate the interest of a complete beginner.

If I play normally, I will win every game, which probably won't be very fun for her. If i intentionally blunder to give her wins, that likely isn't much better.

Open to any and all suggestions!

I think he'll be. What do you think?

the Chennai Masters tournament was great, even though it felt so short. At the beginning of the tournament, I wasn’t giving Andreikin a lot of chances, but he was so steady throughout. Forgot that he was a Candidate after all. All the best to Gukesh. Hope he finds what he needs to get on track. I wonder if he even wants to be World Champion anymore? He would probably be more than willing to pass the title. Next big thing to watch is the USA vs Uzbekistan match. Who do yall think will win? Next time, I want it to be France vs USA. I think Alireza and Maxime could take down Hikaru and Fabi.

Event Link

1. European Club Cup (Tournament #6 as Champion) (Small Sample Size)

Net: +3

Raw: +3=2-0

Team won the event

TPR: 2927

1. Tata Steel 2025 (Tournament #1 as Champion)

Net: +4

Raw: +5=7-1

Place: Tied 1st of 14

TPR: 2832

1. Norway Chess 2025 (#3)

Net: 0

Raw: +4=2-4

Place: 3rd\* of 6

\*3rd per Norway chess rules, but by actual classical result, 4th.

TPR: 2791

1. Tata Steel 2026 (#8)

Net: 0

Raw: +3=7-3

Place: Tied 8-10th of 14

TPR: 2721

1. Sinquefield Cup (#4)

Net: -1

Raw: +1=6-2

Place: 8th of 10

TPR: 2704

1. GCT Romania Classic (#2)

Net: -1

Raw: +1=6-2

Place: Tied 6-9th of 10

TPR: 2700

1. Grand Swiss (#5)

Net: +1

Raw: +4=4-3

Place: 41st of 116

TPR: 2668

1. Prague Masters (#9)

Net: -2

Raw: +1=5-3

Place: Tied 9-10th of 10

TPR: 2626

1. Norway Chess 2026 (#10)

Net: -4

Raw: +1=4-5

Place: 6th of 6

TPR: 2620

1. World Cup (#7) (Small Sample Size)

(Round 1: Bye)

Round 2: 1.5-0.5

Round 3: 0.5-1.5 (Eliminated)

Lost in Round of 64 (Round 3 of 8)

TPR: 2589

1. Chennai Masters (#11)

Net: -3

Raw: +0=4-3

Place: 8th of 8

TPR: 2570

Presenting a Lichess study I've been working on for a while now: Fighting 1. d4: The Caro-Kann Expansion Pack.

"What do I play against 1. d4?" is one of the commonest questions on this sub, and it's a very difficult question to answer for beginner-intermediate players. One size fits all hypermodern answers like the Dutch or KID aren't very principled, sign you up for quite a bit of theory at a higher level, and don't suit a lot of players. Other glib answers like "play the QGD" or "play the Nimzo" are papering over a lot of complexity: what about the Catalan? And especially, at lower levels, what about the London? If you're 1000 rated and trying to tackle the London, finding an intuitive line against it that doesn't bore you to death is not easy.

This study is based around the Classical Slav out of a 1...c6 move order and is designed especially for people who already play the Caro-Kann: it has stylistic and pawn-structure similarities. But it's totally possible to play pretty much everything in it out of a 1...Nf6 move order as well - I play most of what is in this study in my own repertoire, alongside the Sicilian.

I would say this is suitable for anyone up to 2000 rating, although I don't think players below about 900 should be attempting to memorize specific opening lines. But the ideas in it are all beginner-suitable: it's solid structures and principled counter-strikes in the center. So you can start playing this move-order at any rating and dip into the study for ideas as needed.

This is my answer from now on for "what should I play against 1. d4", especially for Caro-Kann fans.

Final Standings
https://www.chess.com/events/2026-quantbox-chennai-grand-masters/results

Yagiz and Oro are obvious at this point. The two prodigies.

Roman Shogdshiev is also being hyped since he is now the youngest IM. He is only 11 yrs old, but already got a GM norm and 2400+ Elo.

But what about the rest?

For me, Seenamoveahead will be a very strong 2700+ Elo player.

Finek too, but slightly weaker than Seenamoveahead.

Begmuratov has some potential. But in general, after the top 4. Seems like the Kids are more or less equal in strength.

How about you? What is your opinionM

One of those rare positions where even the engine can't find the win – even though one exists! White to move.

A 2885 rated lichess puzzle that features a beautiful M5 for black. I spent a good 3 minutes looking at the wrong things before I realised what the answer was.

Here's the game.
And a picture of a bit of my hurried thought process.

I'm particularly interested as to what are some reasons why the eval bar swung in black's favor around the middle of the game and how can I find improving moves in the end game like I had with the Bishop? Bishop vs Bishop end games are very rare for me and as far as puzzles go, I usually do Pawn endgames or Rook vs Rook end games. Any advice or things to look out for when in those positions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.