Final call: Share your story in the FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge 2025
The FIDE Social Chess Storytelling Challenge 2025 is underway, and filmmakers, educators, and social leaders from across the globe are already sharing how chess transforms lives. With the deadline set for 25 October 2025, there’s still time to add your voice to this unique celebration of chess as a force for change. Submitted Stories Entries so far range from polished productions to heartfelt grassroots films. Some use animation, others capture simple classroom moments, but all shine a light on the power of chess. Each story follows one of the challenge’s three themes: Personal Development Chess builds confidence, sharpens critical thinking, and strengthens problem-solving skills. A powerful example comes from the United States, where the film Building Minds With Chess features GM Pontus Carlsson showing how the game nurtures decision-making and resilience among young learners in New Orleans. Social Transformation Chess brings diverse groups together, fostering inclusion, and supporting education and rehabilitation programs. In South Africa, the documentary Helping Kings and Queens Make the Right Moves explores the game’s impact in a disadvantaged community where young people face crime and gang violence. At its heart is the story of Jedidah, a girl who, after failing second grade, embraced chess as a way to rebuild her confidence and ultimately blossomed as both a student and a player. Opportunities & Livelihoods Chess offers pathways for personal and professional growth, and the entry “Women’s Chess guide” showcases chess as a lifestyle through the lens of women at every level of the game, from casual players to traveling international competitors. Beyond showing a Queen’s Gambit-like story of a female player rising to the top, it also offers a glimpse of female chess communities and clubs, an image still too rarely seen on screen. Categories & submission details The competition is open to entries in two categories: Professional – High-quality, polished productions. Grassroots – Creative and amateur video submissions Key dates: Deadline: October 25, 2025 Awards Winners will receive: A special FIDE trophy, An invitation to the FIDE Olympiad 2026 Opening Ceremony (including two nights’ accommodation for two people), A global spotlight as top films will be showcased at the 2025 Social Chess Conference, across FIDE’s social media, and other social chess events. Award categories: Best Short Film (Professional) Best Grassroots Film (Amateur) FIDE Social Commission Choice Award Who can participate? Everyone is welcome (no restrictions on age or nationality) and filmmakers may submit more than one entry. Submit your film here: fide.com/social2025-storytelling-challenge/#send
Fujairah Global Chess Championship: Pranav V claims title
India’s young Grandmaster Pranav V emerged victorious in the UAE, capturing the coveted title in the Fujairah Global Chess Championship – Superstars Section. In the final round, he defeated Spain’s GM Alan Pichot in a masterful rook endgame, finishing on 7/9 to secure the championship. With this exceptional performance, Pranav gained 28 rating points, reaching a career-best live rating of 2631, alongside 17.6 FIDE Circuit points. He also claimed the top prize of US$ 23,000. Every game on the top boards proved decisive for the final standings. On Board 2, GM Amin Tabatabaei (Iran) was held to a draw by GM Alexander Donchenko (Germany). On Board 3, GM Brandon Jacobson (USA) drew against top seed GM Nihal Sarin (India). On Board 4, GM Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) shared the point with GM Sanan Sjugirov (Hungary). These results paved the way for GM Jose Eduardo Martinez (Mexico) to reach the podium by defeating GM Sam Shankland (USA). Three players—Jacobson, Martinez, and Tabatabaei—all finished on 6 points. On tiebreaks, Brandon Jacobson took second place, Jose Eduardo Martinez third, and Amin Tabatabaei fourth. They earned US$ 13,000, US$ 9,000, and US$ 8,000 respectively. China’s GM Zhu Jiner, the only female competitor in the Superstars Section, impressed once again. She defeated Bulgaria’s GM Ivan Cheparinov in the final round, finishing fifth with 5½ points and earning US$ 7,000. Also placing in the Top 10 (by tiebreaks) were GMs Aditya Mittal (India), Alexander Donchenko (Germany), Sanan Sjugirov (Hungary), Abhimanyu Mishra (USA), and Lu Shanglei (China). Superstars section – complete results Masters section In the Masters Division, USA’s GM Brewington Hardaway triumphed with 7.5 points. GM Ata Umut Akbas (Turkey) finished second on 7/9, followed by GM Artin Ashraf (Iran) in third, GM Karthik Venkataraman (India) in fourth, and GM Reza Mahdavi (Iran) in fifth—each placement determined by tiebreaks. Masters section complete results Open section In the Open category of the Fujairah Global Chess Championship, FM Alimzhan Zhauynbay (Kazakhstan, U12) delivered a sensational performance to clinch first place with 8/9. Armenia’s Davit Baghdasaryan (U16), Turkmenistan’s CM Allayar Shirlilyev, and Iran’s CM Benyamin Babaniya all scored 7.5 points, taking second to fourth place respectively on tiebreaks. China’s Huaqi Liu (U14) also impressed, scoring 7.5 points to finish fifth. Open sections complete results Distinguished guests at the closing ceremony The championship’s closing ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including: E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, President of the UAE Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Taryam Matar, UAE Chess Federation President GM Dana Reizniece-Ozola, FIDE Deputy Chair and of the European Chess Union Deputy President GM Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director Ali Nihat Yazıcı, President of the Turkish Chess Federation Written by Pavel Dvorkovich & Niklesh Jain Photos: Anna Shtourman, Vivek Sohani and Aditya Sur Roy Broadcast: YouTube Fujairah Chess and YouTube ChessBase India Hindi Flickr album: flickr.com/photos/203288106@N04/
FIDE Circuit: Praggnanandhaa pulls away with dominant summer
Praggnanandhaa R extended his lead in the FIDE Circuit race over the summer with impressive performances at the UzChess Cup Masters (1st place, 22.19 points) and the 12th Sinquefield Cup (2nd place, 20.72 points). With only four months remaining, he now holds a lead of nearly 55 points over second-placed Anish Giri—a gap that already looks insurmountable given the young Indian’s excellent form. Barring a highly unlikely chain of unfavorable circumstances, Praggnanandhaa seems poised to secure his spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Anish Giri rose to second place in the standings thanks to a strong performance at the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters, which earned him 20.94 points. The winner of that event, Vincent Keymer, broke into the top 10, while Amin Tabatabaei returned to this group following his good showing in the Fujairah Global 2025 – Superstars. Nodirbek Abdusattorov climbed to third in the race after finishing third at the UzChess Cup Masters, adding 18.56 points to his tally. Matthias Bluebaum also had a productive summer, gaining 17.91 points from his performances at the Sparkassen Chess Trophy 2025 A-Open and the 61st International Akiba Rubinstein Chess Festival, moving up to fourth on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Ding Liren continues to slide down the standings—a predictable trend given that he has played only one Circuit-qualifying event this year. Notably, several Grandmasters in the current top 20—Chithambaram Aravindh, Vincent Keymer, Javokhir Sindarov, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Vladimir Fedoseev—have played only two Circuit tournaments so far. This leaves them significant potential to climb the rankings. With this in mind, the upcoming FIDE Grand Swiss is expected to trigger major shifts within the top 10. However, it is unlikely to threaten Praggnanandhaa’s commanding position at the summit. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Circuit 2025, featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Circuit 2025