Sports

Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi registered a vital victory against the young prodigy Alireza Firouzja in the sixth round of the prestigious FIDE Candidates 2024 tournament. This win propels Gujrathi to three points, boosting his confidence and propelling him up the leaderboard after a string of challenging matches. Vidit Gujrathi: From Even Ground to Advantage The initial stages of the game were a balanced affair, with both players maneuvering strategically. However, a critical misstep by Firouzja on move 11 handed the advantage to Gujrathi. Capitalizing on this opening, the Indian GM castled to the longer side, solidifying his position. Firouzja's Attack Backfires, Gujrathi Maintains Control Firouzja attempted to counter with an aggressive queen push to f2. However, thi...

In the sixth round of the prestigious FIDE Candidates 2024, 18-year-old Indian chess prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa delivered a stunning performance, defeating Azerbaijan's Nijat Abasov. This win propels Praggnanandhaa to joint second place in the standings alongside Fabiano Caruana of the USA, showcasing his meteoric rise in the world of chess. FIDE Candidates 2024 Round 6: Masterclass in the Tarrasch Defense Praggnanandhaa wielded the white pieces expertly, employing a Tarrasch Defense strategy. His flawless execution exposed a critical miscalculation by Abasov on move 26 regarding his g-file pawn. Although the queens were subsequently traded, Praggnanandhaa remained in control. A temporary lapse in his advantage was negated by offering a rook exchange, but the tide soon turned aga...

A bitter public feud has erupted between PT Usha, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President, and a majority of the Executive Council (EC) members. This power struggle casts a long shadow over India's preparations for the fast-approaching Paris Olympics, just three months away. PT Usha Accuses EC of Overstepping Authority Usha alleges the EC members, led by nine signatories, are attempting to undermine her authority. This comes after they took several actions, including: Posting a signed notice at the IOA headquarters declaring the appointments of two officials, chosen by Usha, as "unauthorized." Issuing a termination letter to Ajay Narang, Usha's executive assistant. Previously attempting to suspend Raghuram Iyer's appointment as IOA CEO, questioning the salary pa...