Nihal

Indian Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram became the first Indian to qualify for the Chess event at Esports World Cup 2026 after winning the Road to EWC qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta. The 26-year-old defeated Alexey Sarana in a dramatic Armageddon decider to secure qualification, USD 15,000 prize money, and a place in the main event scheduled from August 11-15.

India's esports and chess talent will now have a direct path to the prestigious Esports World Cup 2026. The Esports Foundation and JioBLAST have launched 'India Rising: Road to EWC,' beginning with chess qualifiers. Top Indian players will vie for a spot in the main event in Riyadh, showcasing the nation's growing prowess in competitive gaming and chess.

S8UL signed 19-year-old Grandmaster Pranesh M for the Esports World Cup 2026, alongside Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram. Pranesh recently gained attention after helping R Vaishali stay calm during her historic FIDE Women’s Candidates triumph. Chess returns to EWC this August with a $1.5 million prize pool.

Parking disputes in Delhi and Bengaluru are escalating into violence, with recent incidents involving assaults, firing, and even deaths. These conflicts, often triggered by minor issues like a misplaced vehicle, highlight a growing shortage of space and increasingly confrontational attitudes among residents.

Karan Anshuman's 'Glory' on Netflix delves into Haryana's boxing scene, exposing the dark politics and obsessive ambition behind Olympic dreams. The series masterfully blends crime and sports drama, focusing on a fractured family's conflict driven by a father's relentless pursuit of success. It explores societal issues and ends with a shocking twist, setting up a compelling second season.

Magnus Carlsen won the Chess.com Open, while Denis Lazavik beat Nihal Sarin, leaving no Indian qualified yet for the Esports World Cup 2026, as of yet. Extra qualification spots don’t pass down, increasing pressure on Sarin. He remains India’s one of the besthopes, with chances through circuit rankings and qualifiers in the evolving esports chess format.

In this exclusive interview, Vincent Keymer reflected on his rise from winning the Grenke Open at 13 to claiming the Grenke Freestyle 2026 title in Karlsruhe. Germany’s No. 1 spoke about freestyle chess relying more on intuition, handling the “intimidation factor” of Magnus Carlsen, and balancing school with chess while growing up in a family of musicians. Keymer also praised coach Péter Lékó and discussed the challenges young chess players face in Germany compared to countries like India.

Karan Anshuman, the creator behind the upcoming project "Glory," admits that he intentionally leaves his stories on cliffhangers. He's currently getting ready for the release of his latest work, and he's open about his deliberate choice to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with unresolved plotlines.

Veteran actor Suvinder Vicky, a fixture since 1995, is relishing his recent viral fame as Brigadier Jahangir in 'Dhurandhar 2'. He embraces the character's memes, viewing them as a delightful bonus to his perseverance. Vicky, who also stars in the upcoming thriller 'Glory', feels a growing internal satisfaction as audiences connect with his work. Read on to know more in details.

Indian chess prodigy Nihal Sarin brushed off an online opponent’s rude gesture earlier this year, focusing instead on his game. Since then, he has surged in form, reaching a career-high rating of 2723, winning the Menorca Masters, and beating world champion D Gukesh twice. He will now aim to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2026.

Delhi is experiencing a surge in violent parking disputes, with several recent incidents resulting in death and property damage. Experts attribute this rise to declining tolerance levels and a perceived sense of ownership over parking spaces, leading individuals to view any challenge as a personal affront and escalate minor disagreements.

Reigning World Champion D Gukesh faced another setback at the Menorca Masters 2026, losing to compatriot Nihal Sarin. Gukesh's early opening misstep allowed Sarin to seize the initiative, leading to a decisive kingside assault and Gukesh's resignation. This loss highlights Gukesh's current slump as he prepares for his title defense, while Sarin surges to the sole lead.

As the 2026 Candidates tournament approaches, Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri faces the lingering "King of Draws" stereotype. Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin refutes this, highlighting Giri's fighting spirit and recent FIDE Grand Swiss victory as proof of his winning intent. Sarin also offers his predictions for the volatile Open and Women's Candidates fields.

The Karnataka High Court has strongly criticized a Regional Transport Office (RTO) officer for unilaterally confiscating a high-end car during ongoing legal proceedings. The court deemed the action unwarranted and improper, emphasizing that RTO officials must act with fairness. The registration was revoked despite the matter being sub judice, prompting the court to order its restoration.

Salman Khan's highly anticipated comeback film 'Maatrubhumi' has released its new song 'Chand Dekh Lena', featuring him and Chitrangada Singh. The track beautifully blends traditions of love and faith, resonating with both Eid and Karwa Chauth themes.

India's sporting elite converges in Lucknow for the Times of India Sports Awards, honouring a decade of excellence and the past year's achievements. The prestigious event, attended by legends and led by a distinguished jury, celebrates athletes across over 45 categories, including a significant focus on para-sports, recognizing outstanding performances and emerging talents who have made the nation proud.

Salman Khan Films drops teaser for third song ‘Chand Dekh Lena’ after ‘Maatrubhumi’ title track's 50M views and soulful ‘Main Hoon’. It shows army officer's life, family waits like Chitrangda Singh for Salman post-duty, evoking Eid-Karwa Chauth love. Apoorva Lakhia directs, Salma Khan produces—honoring sacrifice.

Newly elected corporator Nihal Chandra Gupta, 94, was taken on shoulders by his grandsons and supporters after he was declared winner from ward six of the Cantonment Board.

Chess prodigy Nihal Sarin is on a roll. The young gun pocketed his second Grand Master (GM) norm with two rounds remaining at the ongoing Reykjavik Open chess tournament on Monday. Nihal, who won his maiden norm at the open Norwegian championship in Norway last year, has been in good form at the competition. Having surpassed the live ELO rating of 2550, Nihal is surely going places. At the Reyjavik Open, Nihal is currently on 5.5 points out of 7 rounds and is placed sixth. Richard Rapport and B Adhiban were leading the charge with 6 points apiece.

Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has won Gazprom Brilliancy Prize for the best game played at the FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Championship held last month. Nihal, who clinched the U-18 open category of the event, was bestowed with the honour for his semifinal victory over Italian Francesco Sonis 1.5-0.5. The Indian young gun received votes from 5 of the 9 judges.