Articles by Susan Ninan
Magnus Carlsen: The undisputed king of Freestyle
The world No.1 Norwegian had made history – winning the Grenke Chess Freestyle Open with a perfect 9/9 score
Published on Apr 22, 2025 09:43 PM IST
Fabulous five: Unshakeable Ju is champion again
The 34-year-old Chinese GM became only the fourth player in history to win the Women’s World Chess Championship five times
Published on Apr 17, 2025 05:34 AM IST
Nakamura knocks Arjun out in Freestyle quarterfinals
The world No.4’s loss brought an end to Indian challenge for the top prize in the Paris leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour
Updated on Apr 10, 2025 11:35 PM IST
Susan NinanSusan Ninan
Arjun-Nakamura draw after topsy-turvy game
Carlsen walked away with the sole quarter-final win of the day against Abdusattorov; Gukesh loses to Rapport in 9-12th place match
Published on Apr 10, 2025 05:02 AM IST
Arjun lone Indian to qualify for Freestyle knockouts
Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Vidit finish outside top-8 to be ruled out of the battle for the $200,000 top prize
Published on Apr 09, 2025 05:30 AM IST
Arjun defeats Carlsen; Gukesh’s Freestyle struggles continue
Carlsen and Abdusattorov lead the standings at the end of Day 1 in the Paris leg; Arjun is the best performer among Indians
Published on Apr 07, 2025 11:13 PM IST
Freestyle chess: Gukesh leads Indian charge in Paris, Niemann pulls out
P Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidi Gujrathi are the other Indian GMs in the 12-player field for the second leg of the series starting April 7
Published on Apr 06, 2025 08:41 PM IST
I’m trying to play chess freely and not care about results: Nihal Sarin
The Indian GM – on the cusp of 2700 Elo – hasn’t had a full-time coach since 2021.
Published on Mar 30, 2025 08:49 PM IST
RB Ramesh appointed Italian men’s chess team head coach
The 48-year old Dronacharya awardee will have the job of nurturing and guiding Italian players and improving the country’s showing at next year’s Olympiad.
Updated on Mar 18, 2025 09:06 PM IST
Calculation whiz, cricket nut: The making of world junior chess champ Pranav
The 18-year-old from Chennai who marked his arrival with the world title, seeks a sponsor and hopes to cross the 2700 Elo mark this year
Updated on Mar 08, 2025 10:04 PM IST
Prague Masters: How Aravindh won his second Super tournament
The 25-year old Indian won the Prague Masters with an unbeaten 6/9, ahead of Praggnanandhaa and Anish Giri
Published on Mar 07, 2025 09:44 PM IST
New Delhi to host Fide World Cup this year
The Fide Chess World Cup will be hosted in New Delhi from October 31 to November 27, marking a significant chess event returning to India.
Published on Mar 03, 2025 11:43 PM IST
On comeback from retirement, Ghosal tastes success
Saurav Ghosal, 38, returns from retirement to win the Octane Sydney Classic, aiming for Olympic squash in 2028 and focusing on grassroots coaching.
Updated on Feb 25, 2025 11:27 PM IST
Susan NinanSusan Ninan
Gukesh and the Freestyle chess conundrum
The world champion went winless at a recent event, in a format he looked out of depth.
Published on Feb 23, 2025 08:20 PM IST
Best way to pursue chess is by not having a safety net: Vedant Panesar
The 21-year-old from Mumbai topped the Qualifiers and earned a spot in next year’s Wijk aan Zee Challengers
Updated on Feb 14, 2025 08:17 PM IST
Fischer Random is the future of chess: Arjun Erigaisi
India’s world No.4 in this interview says the Carlsen-backed format will grow in popularity in the coming years
Updated on Feb 11, 2025 09:01 PM IST
I’ve spent the last few months learning from Arjun’s games: Praggnanandhaa
In an interview to HT, Praggnanandhaa spoke about his friendship with Arjun Erigaisi, Indian players doing well and on amping up his ambition and aggression
Updated on Feb 06, 2025 01:28 PM IST
How Praggnanandhaa went from a quiet year to a historic title
A packed schedule gave him little chance to course correct and he will look to change that this year
Updated on Feb 03, 2025 11:48 PM IST
Praggnanandhaa beats Gukesh to become Tata Steel champion
Gukesh’s first loss as world champion was followed by Pragg’s defeat, leaving both tied at the top. Pragg won the tiebreaker against Gukesh to clinch title
Published on Feb 03, 2025 12:53 AM IST
India set to host 2025 Fide World Cup
The marquee event held once every two years will offer its top three finishers a spot in the 2026 Candidates
Published on Jan 20, 2025 08:12 PM IST
Whose game is it anyway? The Carlsen vs Fide battle
In a span of six days, a pair of jeans and an unprecedented shared world title laid bare the already simmering rift between the game’s governing body and one of its greatest players
Published on Jan 07, 2025 10:47 PM IST
I didn’t want to quit like a loser: Koneru Humpy
In an interview with HT, the newly crowned women’s world rapid chess champion spoke about struggling with motivation, training without engines and not setting goals
Updated on Dec 30, 2024 09:36 PM IST
Magnus Carlsen to play world blitz after Fide appeasement
“Definitely playing in jeans” says world No.1 after Fide eases dress code rules to allow for “appropriate jeans matching jacket”
Published on Dec 30, 2024 09:01 PM IST
Koneru Humpy: From mulling retirement to a second world rapid crown
The Indian GM who lost in the opening round went on to win the world rapid chess title at 37, five years after her first victory
Published on Dec 29, 2024 06:33 PM IST
World rapid & blitz: Carlsen walks out of tournament after dress code breach
In a dramatic turn of events, world No 1 and defending champion refused to change after being fined for wearing jeans on Day 2 of the rapid event and chose to exit the tournament
Published on Dec 28, 2024 12:49 PM IST
World rapid & blitz: Carlsen walks out of tournament after dress code breach
World No 1 and defending champion refused to change after being fined for wearing jeans on Day 2 of the rapid event and chose to exit the tournament
Published on Dec 28, 2024 10:21 AM IST
From Vishy to Gukesh: The Pole Star of the Indian camp
Team Gukesh member Radoslaw Wojtaszek compared his experience of working with Vishy and Gukesh.
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 07:58 PM IST
'Now, becoming the best player in the world is what I care about most': Gukesh
D Gukesh spoke about the challenges and uncertainties he faced in the match, his favourite opening idea, and who he expects to play in the 2026 match
Updated on Dec 19, 2024 05:14 AM IST
Harikrishna: The China specialist on Gukesh’s team
In an interview to HT, the 38-year-old Indian GM spoke about his understanding of Chinese players and Ding as a friend
Published on Dec 14, 2024 07:56 PM IST
About a boy: 18 but mature beyond his years
At 18, Gukesh Dommaraju wins the FIDE World Championship, showcasing maturity and poise, celebrating his victory with tears and gratitude.
Updated on Dec 14, 2024 12:17 AM IST