"VAN" (Sports Desk - 16.04.2025) :: Hardcore music fans will likely remember B.B.King’s classic 1978 Midnight Believer blues – and chess players would do good to take note after this afternoon’s shocking events in the second round of the Pune Women’s Grand Prix. Vaishali, a fantastic player in her own right, gave up her bishop one move too soon, and Divya notched up her second win in a row. Combined with Zhu Jiner’s excellent rook endgame technique, the afternoon’s games lead us into the third round with two clear leaders. The ceremonial first moves were performed by Sameer Pathak, the CEO of Tech Mahindra Global Chess League and Niranjan Godbole, Tournament Director and Secretary of the Maharashtra Chess Association. Also present at the opening ceremony was Santosh Gilukurai, Sports Authority of India.
On Thu, May 1, 2025