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Muzychuk Replaces Koneru at the Women’s Candidates — FIDE Confirmed

Muzychuk Replaces Koneru at the Women’s Candidates — FIDE Confirmed

FIDE confirmed that Indian GM Koneru Humpy will not participate in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026. FIDE released a statement and announced that Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk will play inste…

“No event can come before personal safety and well-being!” — Koneru Humpy Withdraws From The Candidates

“No event can come before personal safety and well-being!” — Koneru Humpy Withdraws From The Candidates

Indian GM Koneru Humpy announced her withdrawal from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in an X post on March 22. Koneru cited personal security concerns as the reason for the withdrawal, an…

Candidates Tier Lists Compilation — Magnus, Fabiano, Hikaru, Giri, Sindarov, Alireza and Lazavik

Candidates Tier Lists Compilation — Magnus, Fabiano, Hikaru, Giri, Sindarov, Alireza and Lazavik

Elite GMs Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Alireza Firouzja, Javokhir Sindarov, and Denis Lazavik made their tier lists of the 2026 Candidates Tournament participants. Th…

Faustino Oro Becomes No. 1 In Blitz on Lichess!

Faustino Oro Becomes No. 1 In Blitz on Lichess!

12-year-old Argentinian IM Faustino Oro achieved a new personal best Blitz rating of 3004 on Lichess.org and became a platform’s No. 1 on March 19.

Do Norwegians know Magnus? — Anna Cramling Investigates

Do Norwegians know Magnus? — Anna Cramling Investigates

Swedish WFM Anna Cramling released a [second](https://rookreview.com/news/is-norway-the-biggest-chess-country-anna-cramling-investigates){:target="_blank"} video about her trip to Oslo, Norway, on Ma…

Benjamin Bok Wins Freestyle Friday with 9.5 points on March 20

Benjamin Bok Wins Freestyle Friday with 9.5 points on March 20

Dutch GM Benjamin Bok scored 9 wins and 1 draw to win the March 20 Freestyle Friday tournament with 9.5/11 points. Runner-up Sina Movahed won 8 times, drew 2 times and lost once, which led him to fin…

Nepo: "I'm not sure everyone plays Titled Tuesdays fairly... There are a lot of players smarter than Proctor"

Nepo: "I'm not sure everyone plays Titled Tuesdays fairly... There are a lot of players smarter than Proctor"

Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi discussed fair play in the weekly online title tournaments on Chess.com during a Freesstyle Friday stream. Ian believes that not all players always play fairly, discusse…

“It’s very important to get a player who doubts himself” — Boris Gelfand on Luck at The Candidates

“It’s very important to get a player who doubts himself” — Boris Gelfand on Luck at The Candidates

Israeli GM Boris Gelfand discussed the importance of luck at the Candidates Tournament in an interview on the FIDE YouTube channel. Gelfand reflects on the high risks, and notes the big difference be…

“Time to pursue my true passions!” — David Howell Retired from Chess and Became Florist

“Time to pursue my true passions!” — David Howell Retired from Chess and Became Florist

England GM David Howell announced his retirement from professional chess on March 20 on X. According to his compatriot, England GM Simon Williams, he has started a career as a florist.

“We can organize the Candidates in Germany. Expenses covered” — WR Chess CEO Wadim Rosenstein

“We can organize the Candidates in Germany. Expenses covered” — WR Chess CEO Wadim Rosenstein

WR Chess CEO Wadim Rosenstein published a proposal to FIDE to relocate the 2026 Candidates Tournament from Cyprus to Germany in his X account on March 19. Rosenstein offers to cover the event’s expen…

Aravindh, Duda and Movahed won their 3 0 Thursdays on March 19

Aravindh, Duda and Movahed won their 3 0 Thursdays on March 19

Indian GM Aravindh Chithambaram scored 10 points with 10 wins to win the First 3 0 Thursday on March 19. Polish GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Iranian GM Sina Movahed scored 10.5 points to win the Second …

Regulations Released For 2026 FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Championships

Regulations Released For 2026 FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Championships

FIDE published official regulations for FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Championships 2026 on March 18. The event will take place in Hong Kong from June 16 to 22.

Footballer Erling Haaland Invests in Total Chess World Championship

Footballer Erling Haaland Invests in Total Chess World Championship

Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland has become an investor in the new Total Chess World Championship Tour. The deal was concluded before Manchester City's match against West Ham on March 14.

“I literally got accused of throwing a game at the Candidates!” — Levon Aronian's Memories of Candidates

“I literally got accused of throwing a game at the Candidates!” — Levon Aronian's Memories of Candidates

American GM Levon Aronian shared his memories of participating in the Candidates Tournaments. Aronian says his memories are mostly negative, and mentions how he was accused of throwing a match.

Keanu Reeves Spent 5 Years Helping Teenage Girl Make a Chess Film

Keanu Reeves Spent 5 Years Helping Teenage Girl Make a Chess Film

Actor Keanu Reeves spent more than five years helping high school student Bianca Mitchell-Avila create a documentary film about chess. Bianca's parents shared the story on Reddit on March 16.

“Gukesh became World Champion quite early… He just needs to relax” — Indian Olympiad Team Leader Narayanan

“Gukesh became World Champion quite early… He just needs to relax” — Indian Olympiad Team Leader Narayanan

Indian GM Srinath Narayanan discussed Gukesh Dommaraju's performance and World Champion title. Narayanan states that Gukesh became Champion early, and notes that he needs to try to enjoy the game and…

"We are being forced to breach one of the contracts!" — MVL on EWC and GCT Clash of Dates

"We are being forced to breach one of the contracts!" — MVL on EWC and GCT Clash of Dates

French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave commented on the conflict over the clash of dates between the Grand Chess Tour and the Esports World Cup. MVL explains that contracts for both tournaments were signed…

Chessify to Sponsor Sharjah Masters 2026

Chessify to Sponsor Sharjah Masters 2026

The Sharjah Masters 2026 will take place at the Sharjah Cultural & Chess Club, UAE, from April 30 to May 10. Chess training cloud platform [Chessify](https://chessify.me/auth/signin?ref=rookreviewcom…

"Gukesh became World Champion by accident. He was not supposed to win the Match against Ding Liren" — Ex-Champion Anatoly Karpov

"Gukesh became World Champion by accident. He was not supposed to win the Match against Ding Liren" — Ex-Champion Anatoly Karpov

12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov shared his opinion on reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Indian chess. Karpov claims that Gukesh was not supposed to become World Champion in 2024, and no…

Is Norway the Biggest Chess Country? — Anna Cramling Investigates

Is Norway the Biggest Chess Country? — Anna Cramling Investigates

Swedish WFM Anna Cramling released a video about her trip to Oslo, Norway on March 16. Cramling investigated how popular chess is in the home country of Magnus Carlsen.

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