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Main Topics:

• The passing of GM Daniel Naroditsky (1995–2025) — The chess world is mourning one of its most respected players, coaches, and streamers. Tributes have poured in from top GMs and fans worldwide, while FIDE investigates Vladimir Kramnik’s prior public accusations against him. This segment reflects on Naroditsky’s legacy, the challenges of being a public figure in chess, and how the community is processing the loss.
• (Sources: Chess.com, The Guardian, People.com)
• FIDE’s disciplinary review of Kramnik — The governing body has opened an inquiry into Kramnik’s online behavior and repeated cheating allegations. What precedent might this set for future conduct by titled players online?
• (Sources: The Guardian, AP News)
• Tournament and rating shake-ups — Arjun Erigaisi overtakes Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa to become India’s #1, while Ukraine and Poland take gold at the European Team Championships.
• (Sources: Times of India, Chess.com)
• New world championship structure announced — FIDE approves the “Total Chess World Championship Tour,” integrating classical, rapid, and blitz formats — a modern overhaul meant to draw in broader audiences.
• (Source: Chess.com)
• The growing power of streamers and creators — Online personalities continue to shape the chess ecosystem. From YouTube educators to Twitch entertainers, chess content has become both educational and cultural currency.

This week, we cover the biggest clash in world chess right now — USA vs India in Texas, where Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Gukesh, and Arjun Erigaisi battle it out under a no-draw format designed to make chess more mainstream.

We also run through the quick hits:

• Magnus Carlsen welcomes his first child (yes, even FIDE chimed in 👶♟️)
• 13-year-old Kai Hanache stuns three Grandmasters in a UK blitz qualifier
• FIDE scraps the “400-point rule” — dubbed the Hikaru Rule — changing the rating landscape for top GMs
• And the Speed Chess Championship 2025 is officially on the calendar, with Carlsen, Nakamura, and Niemann all confirmed

• Abhimanyu Mishra makes history — at just 16, he becomes the youngest player ever to defeat a reigning world champion in classical play, toppling Gukesh in the Grand Swiss.
• Magnus vs. Hikaru — Carlsen calls Nakamura “shameless” for farming smaller events to qualify for the Candidates. Is it smart strategy, or an insult to tradition?
• The Israel chess controversy — after organizers in Spain attempted to ban Israeli players from competing under their flag, FIDE intervened. In protest, several Israeli players later withdrew from another event, sparking debate over politics in chess.

We also round up other hot headlines: Carlsen winning Titled Tuesday, the US Championship 2025 fields announced, and the latest FIDE rating shake-ups.