Rogers Ben | Cultural Headlines, Opinions & Deep Views

Anish Giri's witty remark on Praggnanandhaa becoming the World No.1 junior highlights the rise of young chess talents. Praggnanandhaa's UzChess Cup Masters 2025 victory, propelling him to World No.4 and India's top player, showcases his dominance. His dramatic win, praised by Viswanathan Anand, underscores his impressive character and solidifies his position as a leading force in chess.

In a public plea, Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian has urged Vladimir Kramnik, a former World Champion, to reconcile amidst a defamation lawsuit. Aronian's letter, shared on social media, expresses deep respect for Kramnik, acknowledging his significant influence. This follows Kramnik's lawsuit against Chessdom, GM David Navara, and others, stemming from disputes over alleged online cheating.

World Champion D Gukesh will not be playing in the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, citing exhaustion after Norway Chess. Vidit Gujrathi will replace him, donning Gukesh’s red jacket. The $750,000 event runs July 16–20 at Wynn Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the India leg in September is cancelled, and Jan Henric Buettner will step down as CEO on July 1.

The Indian leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, scheduled for September in New Delhi, has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsors. This is a disappointment for fans hoping to see Magnus Carlsen compete in India. CEO Jan Henric Buettner confirmed the move and will step down in July. The next event is in Las Vegas this July.