Chess Stars Rising and Resilient - Ep 19

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

We’ve got a packed show today—from high-stakes women’s tournaments to the surprising presence of chess at Europe’s biggest digital marketing event. Let’s dive right in.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

We start off with the sixth and final leg of the 2024–2025 Women’s Grand Prix, currently taking place in Grosslobming, Austria, from May 6th to 15th. It’s a 10-player single round-robin, and the field is absolutely stacked.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Absolutely. Right now, Zhu Jiner, Anna Muzychuk, and Tan Zhongyi are the ones to watch. These three are in the best position to snag those all-important qualifying spots for the Women’s FIDE Candidates Tournament.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

And let’s not forget the time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move. That’s standard for high-level events, and it’s designed to balance deep thinking with time pressure.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

After two rounds, both Vaishali Rameshbabu and Tan Zhongyi are leading the field with perfect scores. Vaishali’s consistency has really stood out this year. And with her brother, Praggnanandhaa, also making waves in the classical circuit, it's fascinating to see this sibling duo rising together.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

You know, it’s also worth noting that Tan Zhongyi is coming off a pretty emotional roller coaster. She just lost the Women’s World Championship match against Ju Wenjun, but to come into this Grand Prix and play so dominantly shows incredible mental resilience.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Totally agree. And Zhu Jiner—still only 21—is having a breakout year. She’s coming off a silver finish at the Asian Women’s Championship and is looking sharper than ever. The field might be tough, but she’s got momentum.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Meanwhile, over in Bucharest, the Superbet Chess Classic is underway. It’s part of the Grand Chess Tour and brings together a mix of established legends and rising stars.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

The opening round had a bit of everything. Firouzja scored a convincing win over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, while Wesley So managed to edge out a win against local wildcard Bogdan-Daniel Deac—though “fortunate” might be the better word there!

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

And then we had that all-Indian clash between Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa. It was electric! Their games are quickly becoming must-watch TV. Gukesh, especially, has been under a microscope since he cracked the 2750 mark recently—becoming one of the youngest ever to do so.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

In less expected but equally exciting news—chess made an appearance at the Online Marketing Rockstars Festival, Europe’s largest digital fair.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Yeah, you heard that right. Big names like Levy Rozman—aka GothamChess—were there, promoting the game to a totally different crowd. It’s just another sign of how far chess has come since the 2020 boom.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

It’s wild to think that we’re seeing chess get this level of crossover. Whether it’s Twitch, YouTube, or even TikTok, the game is reaching younger and more diverse audiences than ever. And it’s events like these that help sustain that momentum.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

On a more somber note, GM Alexander Yermolinsky—an absolute legend in American chess—is currently going through a serious health crisis. He’s undergone multiple surgeries after a quadruple heart bypass.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

For those who don’t know, “Yermo” is a two-time U.S. Chess Champion and a mainstay in the chess community. He’s been on four U.S. Olympiad teams and four World Senior squads. The man is in the Chess Hall of Fame, and rightly so.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

He’s given so much to this game, both on the board and as a teacher and commentator. Now he needs our help with his medical bills. If you’re in a position to contribute or spread the word, please do so.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Before we wrap, let’s take a quick look back at the Women’s World Championship Match. Ju Wenjun successfully defended her title against Tan Zhongyi with a 6.5–2.5 scoreline.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

What’s remarkable is that despite a rocky start, Ju regained control mid-match and didn’t let go. Her ability to convert sharp positions and find key drawing lines—except for that one draw—was world-class.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

It reminded me a bit of Ding Liren’s comeback performance in the 2023 World Championship. Just shows you: it’s not about how you start, it’s about how you adapt under pressure.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

And you can bet we’ll see Tan Zhongyi back in the spotlight soon. She’s in top form, and with her performance in the Women’s Grand Prix so far, she could be setting up for another run at the title.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

That wraps up this week’s episode of the Chess Gaja Podcast. From Austria to Romania to digital marketing festivals—it’s a great time to be following the game.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re organizing tournaments, following your favorite streamers, or just watching Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa duke it out—you’re part of the story of modern chess.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

And that’s all for today, everyone! Thanks for tuning in to the Chess Gaja Podcast. Keep your kings safe and your ideas sharp, and we’ll see you next time!