Latest news with #NorwayChessOpen
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Indian prodigies chase norms, rating points and dreams, one budget trip to Europe at a time
Two years ago, Yatin Sarbalia and his then nine-year-old son Aarav embarked on a unique Euro trip. In a three-month phase, the father and son duo traversed country lines, going from Spain to France to Hungary before finally ending in Norway then flying back to India. Unlike a sightseeing tour of traditional European delights, this was a chess trip. Aarav had flown to Europe with his chess rating around 1400, and when he came back, it had touched 2000 after playing in five tournaments. This year, Aarav, now 11 and holding the title of a FIDE Master, has already been on two Europe trips, playing events in Graz (Austria) and Cannes (France) on the first trip in February before playing in three back-to-back events in Munich in May-June. He will soon be back, to play in another three-four tournaments in France next month. Aarav is not the only one. At the Norway Chess Open event — held in Stavanger a few kilometers away from the Norway Chess tournament — IM Savitha Shri and 11-year-old Woman FIDE Master Charvi Anilkumar are among the 16 Indian players competing. These players are paying from their own pocket for travel, food and living expenses in an expensive country like Norway for very specific reasons: some are chasing norms, some are in the hunt for rating points, some are seeking experience against GM-level opponents and others are trying to bring their rating up to match their strength. Trips like these by budding Indian chess stars are becoming increasingly frequent since the pandemic with players going abroad and playing in back-to-back tournaments before returning home to refuel and then flying back again. So why are Indian youngsters taking so many trips to Europe? As Kushager Krishnater, an IM who has worked with the likes of Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujarathi in the past and is currently helping players of varying strengths, points out: 'European players, as compared to Indians, have an inflated rating. This is because they have a lesser number of players and more tournaments. So more than their rating being inflated, it's Indians whose ratings are deflated (they do not accurately represent how good the player really is in strength).' These Euro trips, for many players, are a way to correct that rating deflation which they cannot in India. This is exactly what happened to Aarav in 2023. Kushager says that travelling abroad to chase norms or ratings started to catch on in India about 15 years ago. But only a few players could afford it then. Around 2015-16, it became common among players rated above 2100. But since COVID, it has become so commonplace that right now, players in the 1700-1800 bracket are also doing it. The basic tenet of these trips is simple: plan one European trip in such a way that you can play two-three events while living on a shoestring budget, finding cheapest accommodations and taking buses. If you do this four or five times a year, you end up playing 12-15 tournaments. 'At this point, chess in India, in my opinion, doesn't exist professionally. If you want to become a professional player, you would only play in India if you don't have the funds to play abroad. If you are someone looking to become one of the best, or let's say you are trying to become an IM or GM at a young age, you would not even think of playing in India, maybe except national tournaments,' says Kushager. 'If you look at the junior list of India, off the top of my head, I can recall maybe the one-odd player, who still plays in India. But that is also due to lack of funds, not because he doesn't want to play in Europe. Basically, there are no Indian kids who play in India anymore, if they have a choice.' These days there are websites that — for a small annual subscription fee — give you a detailed list of tournaments around the world that may not even make it to the FIDE website's elaborate tournament calendar. There are also 'tour organisers' who help take budding norm seekers on specific events in Europe. There are two popular 'tours' that players can play in: the Catalan Circuit which has four back-to-back tournaments in Barcelona in July-August (Barbera Del Valles Open, XXV International Open Sant Martí, 49th International Chess Open 'Vila de Sitges' and 49th Open Internacional 'Ciutat de Badalona' 2025) and the Czech Tour (Prague Open, Marienbad Open, Pilsen Open, CZECH OPEN Pardubice, Summer Prague Open 2025, Olomouc Chess Summer 2025). '10 years ago, the Catalan Circuit used to be the OG spot for playing European events, because you get to go in one city, rent one apartment for a long couple of months and play,' says Kushager. 'Even now, you will still find at least 50 Indians playing these events in Europe, who are rated anywhere between 1700 to 2200, just to increase their rating.' UAE has also become a hotspot for Indians because for around Rs one lakh you could play in two back-to-back events. But events in UAE used to be so overrun with Indian players — at last year's Abu Dhabi Masters, for example, there were 85 Indians among 217 contenders — that organisers are now putting caps on Indians. Kushager says that players have started to wisen up. About a decade back, a trip to Europe meant playing in cities like Budapest, Belgrade or in Spain. It was rare at that point to find too many Indians there. But once others found out about it, these tournaments too would have plenty of Indians signing up, which meant Indians were again running into plenty of compatriots, and their ratings deflation problem persisted. Then players started to look for outposts in Europe where there wouldn't be too many Indians. Playing events in the USA would also solve the problem, but getting visas for the USA can be tricky business. What has been the most refreshing is the maturity with which players like 11-year-old Aarav and their parents are chasing their goals. 'For us, these tournaments are an opportunity to improve by playing stronger players. We don't have specific things like norms in mind,' says Aarav's father Yatin. 'We don't have expectations of norm in mind because that puts insane pressure on kids. If Aarav gains strength, norms will be easily achieved anyway.' Amit Kamath is Assistant Editor at The Indian Express and is based in Mumbai. ... Read More
Al Etihad
04-06-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
UAE spearheading chess movement in the Gulf: FIDE in Norway
4 June 2025 23:49 STAVANGER (ALETIHAD)The UAE is fast solidifying its position as a global chess hub, the topmost two officials of the world chess body have President Arkady Dvorkovich and his deputy Viswanathan Anand have praised the dynamic growth of the sport in the Emirates while speaking at the sidelines of the Norway Chess Open on has already spoke to Aletihad about the UAE's organisational capabilities and major plans for the sport, when it was decided to award the 2028 Chess Olympiad to Abu Dhabi as UAE's chess ecosystem has seen remarkable growth, with established tournaments like the Dubai Open, Sharjah Open, and the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival attracting global talent."The UAE likes to be at the centre of many things," said Anand, a five-time world champion and the Deputy President of FIDE, while talking to media on the second rest day of the Norway tournament, featuring world's top players such as Magnus Carlsen and reigning world champion D Gukesh. "They've been very active in chess, hosting events across the Emirates – Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah – and playing an important role.'Players love coming here, and the [UAE] national federation is very active – always thinking of new ways to promote the game,' he said. The UAE has also hosted many major events at the continental level such as Asian Individual Chess Championship last month in Al Ain, the home of the Asian Chess Federation president, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout Al also recalled his personal connection to Dubai's chess scene. 'When I was younger, tournaments in the Emirates were some of the most anticipated. The 1986 Olympiad in Dubai was a special moment – even then, Dubai was a fascinating place. I remember being amazed [later] by an ice rink in the desert [Ski Dubai], something unheard of at the time. From my first Olympiad in '86 to today, it has always been a special chess destination – and it just keeps getting better.'Abu Dhabi hosting the Chess Olympiad again [in the UAE] after 42 years shows how much the country and the region have embraced chess. It's a thrilling prospect for players and fans alike. It shows how far the UAE has come as a chess destination.' Dvorkovich also gave his nod: 'It's a huge milestone.'While on Dubai, the FIDE boss recalled the 2021 World Championship contest between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi during the Dubai Expo 2020 when UAE demonstrated their ability to elevate chess into a global spectacle. "Dubai made it an international event, not just a local competition – that's what the city does best."And for both, the emergence of 15-year-old Rouda AlSerkal as the Gulf's first Woman Grandmaster has become a symbol of the UAE's chess ambitions. The Abu Dhabi resident's recent strong performances in international competitions, including in the open category of Norway Chess as a wild card, has many sit up and take notice."It's a wonderful surprise to see a young talent like Rouda breaking barriers," said Anand. "Her success has the potential to inspire countless girls across the region. It could be a game-changer for chess in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Dvorkovich also noted the strides of development being made in Qatar while looking at the broader picture in the Gulf region. Apart from hosting the Qatar Masters tournament, this December, Doha will host the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships for the first time. 'This is huge for the region,' Dvorkovich said. 'More wild cards will be given to players from the Gulf, and local spectators will experience world-class chess in a spectacular venue.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
First Post
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Carlsen Loses Cool After Loss To Gukesh, Bangs Table First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Carlsen Loses Cool After Loss To Gukesh, Bangs Table | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G Carlsen Loses Cool After Loss To Gukesh, Bangs Table | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen was left stunned and visibly frustrated after a dramatic loss to world champion Gukesh Dommaraju at the Norway Chess Open. In a game he dominated for most of the rounds, Carlsen blundered late and was punished by the 19-year-old Indian prodigy. Gukesh registered his first classical win over the Norwegian legend. Gukesh stayed calm under pressure, while Carlsen's reaction — banging the table in anger — reflected the gravity of the loss. Rupha Ramani dives into the emotion, the history, and the rivalry. The win was also a fitting response to Carlsen mocking Gukesh after the first round. With exclusive interviews from Vishwanathan Anand, Vidit Gujrathi, and Gukesh himself, find out about Gukesh's ambitions. As Gukesh continues his rise with humility and resolve, the question now is: Is "King" Carlsen's throne safe? See More
Gulf Today
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE's first Woman Grandmaster ends maiden campaign in Stavanger with 3 wins
UAE's rising chess star Rouda Al Serkal signed off her maiden appearance at the Norway Chess Open with a flourish, winning three consecutive games to close out the prestigious tournament's General Masters (GM) category on a high. The 15-year-old showed remarkable resilience over nine gruelling rounds, bouncing back from early struggles to finish with a total of 4 points overall - a performance that not only demonstrated her talent but also her ability to adapt and learn against more experienced opponents. Fresh off a strong campaign at the Asian Individual Women's Championship in Al Ain two weeks before the tournament in Stavanger and a productive training block, Al Serkal came into the tournament with confidence. However, the opening round on May 26 against Swedish Grandmaster Platon Galperin - one of the tournament's highest-rated players in the open category who finished fourth overall - didn't go to plan. Playing white, Rouda fought valiantly for 56 moves but eventually had to concede. The loss hit her hard, especially as it came in the very first round of her maiden appearance in the GM category. "It was tough to start like that and then mentally recover from there - I was disappointed,' Rouda admitted. "I didn't feel like I was getting my game right, and it was demoralising to lose after such a long fight. But I knew I had to regroup quickly.' The next day, Rouda, who turns 16 next month, steadied herself with a hard-fought draw against American Luke Leon Robin Anatol before suffering another defeat in round three to Spain's Lucia Follana Albelda. "That was even more crushing as I had her completely in my grasp after openening with Caro Kahn advanced variation but somehow I just failed to capitalise.' Two more challenging days followed with a draw against Mexico's Jan Enrique Zepeda Berlanga and losses to Norwegians Ask Amundsen (playing white) and Astor Moe Maurstad (playing black). But Al Serkal, the UAE's first Woman Grandmaster and a former world youth champion, refused to let the early setbacks define her debut in Stavanger. Her persistence began to pay off in round seven, when she notched her first win - a confident performance against Norway's Sigur H. Myny while playing white. "Eventually I just found my footing,' she said. "I stopped overthinking, focused on basics, and trusted my training. Once that happened, things began to click.' She carried that momentum forward, scoring her second consecutive win on May 30 against Italian Mauro Pivi, and capped her campaign on Sunday with a composed victory over France's Franck Gouanelle - her third straight win. With three wins, two draws and four losses, Al Serkal's overall performance was a promising show of potential. Competing in a field filled with seasoned international players, she not only held her own but ended with a strong closing statement although she would have liked to finish better overall. "I was honestly hoping to gain around 100 rating points,' Rouda said. "Most of the rounds I lost, I was either winning or had a clear advantage but lost my way in the end. That's what frustrated me the most.' Yet as the first Emirati woman to play in the Norway Chess Open's GM category, her participation alone marks a milestone for UAE chess. But her ability to rebound and finish strong added a powerful narrative of character and composure to her international journey. "It was a learning experience more than anything else,' Al Serkal said. "And I'm proud I stayed with it. Ending with three wins felt really special - I feel like I'm still leaving stronger than I arrived although I could have done much better.' Tournament founder Kjell Madland praised her spirited finish, saying: "It is exactly this kind of story that reinforces Norway Chess as a truly global platform. To have young talents like Rouda travel all the way from the UAE to compete at this level adds richness and reach to what we're building here in Stavanger.' Meanwhile, in the elite Norway Chess supertournament being played at the SpareBank 1 SR-Bank in Stavanger, world number one Magnus Carlsen and reigning two-time Women's World Rapid Chess Champion Koneru Humpy remain in close pursuit of the lead in the men's and the women's sections respectively. Final rounds take place later this week.
Dubai Eye
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
UAE's Al Serkal finishes strong in Norway Chess Open debut
UAE's rising chess star, Rouda Al Serkal, closed her debut at the Norway Chess Open's grandmaster category with three wins, finishing with 4 points from nine rounds. The 15-year-old showed resilience after a difficult start, bouncing back from early losses to defeat Norway's Sigur H. Myny, Italy's Mauro Pivi, and France's Franck Gouanelle in her final three games. 'It was tough to start like that and then mentally recover,' Rouda said of her opening-round loss to Swedish Grand Master Platon Galperin. 'But I knew I had to regroup quickly.' Her early rounds included two draws and four defeats, including a loss to Spain's Lucia Follana Albelda after a strong start with the Caro-Kann. Despite the setbacks, she made her way to victory. 'Eventually I just found my footing,' she said. 'I stopped overthinking, trusted my training and things began to click.' Fresh off a strong campaign at the Asian Individual Women's Championship in Al Ain and a productive training block, Al Serkal entered the tournament with confidence. As the first Emirati woman to compete in the GM category at the event, her performance marks a milestone for UAE chess. 'Ending with three wins felt really special,' Rouda said. 'I'm leaving stronger than I arrived, even if I could have done better.'
