Ep-29: Keymer Dominates, Gukesh Slumps, & A Historic WIM Title | Chess Times

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Hey everyone and welcome back to Chess Times, your five-minute scoop on all things chess. I’m excited you’re tuning in because this week is honestly wild—game records are falling, the youth scene is buzzing, and we even have, um, zombies and poison on the board. No kidding. But first, as always, I’m joined by GM Priyadharshan Kannappan from Chess Gaja. Hey, Priyadharshan, how’s it going?

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Hey! It’s always good to be back—can’t believe how much is happening in the chess world right now. Each week feels faster than the last, and yeah—roguelike chess? Didn’t see that on my bingo card. Should we start with that monster performance from Vincent Keymer in Chennai?

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Yeah, let’s do it. Quantbox GM event in Chennai—Vincent Keymer totally crushed it. He finished undefeated, which is just, like, ridiculous when you think about the field. Two points clear on top? A 2917 performance rating—if I’m remembering right, that’s almost superhuman. It ended India’s insane winning run too, so Arjun Erigaisi only placed third. And poor Gukesh, honestly, had a tough week elsewhere.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

It’s rare you see someone that young not just compete but dominate an elite tournament like this. Vincent breaking into the live top 10 and crossing 2750 Elo, it’s historic for Germany. They haven’t had anyone hit that since Robert Huebner, and that was back in 1980. He’s got the Candidates in his sights—2026, here he comes. What’s your take, do you think he’s the most promising in Europe now?

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Honestly, yeah. I mean, after the run we saw in the Candidates and then this? The energy around him—like, building on what we talked about last week with Bodhana and Supratit shaking up expectations—Vincent is totally in that tier. Speaking of Gukesh, though, the momentum’s kinda stalling?

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

That’s right. Gukesh hasn’t been able to find his groove lately. In St. Louis, Rapid & Blitz, he managed just one win—only four draws to go with it, which left him tied for sixth after nine blitz rounds. It’s a packed field, but you kind of expect more from the world champ. He also drew against Sevian at the Sinquefield Cup, while Pragg drew Abdusattorov. I mean, these top tournaments, the margins are razor thin, but still… not the result Gukesh was probably hoping for.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

No kidding. The competition just gets deeper every season. Okay, but let’s keep some good news energy—Bodhana Sivanandan. She just became the youngest Woman International Master, and she’s what, ten years old? That’s bananas! She locked up the title at the British Championships and actually beat Grandmaster Peter Wells in the final round. That’s honestly legendary.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Incredible, isn’t it? I mean, only 10 years, 5 months, 3 days old, and she defeats an experienced GM to clinch it. It’s one thing to snag a title—another to do it by toppling someone like Peter Wells. We’re seeing a new chapter for women’s chess, especially in the UK. If you think back to the last couple episodes—remember when we discussed how youth talent, particularly from India and the UK, are changing global chess dynamics? Bodhana just made that real, right in front of us.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Absolutely. The girls are not just catching up—they’re, like, leapfrogging ahead. Which brings me to Divya Deshmukh taking on the whole gender-equality thing, and straight up pushing back against that ancient Kasparov comment about chess “not fitting women.” I love that she’s using her spotlight to take on this narrative. What’s your perspective, having coached rising female talent yourself?

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

I see so much potential in the new generation. Divya is confronting not just opponents over the board, but—well, decades of outdated opinions. It’s not just inspiring for young women, but honestly, for everyone in the chess world trying to see the game evolve. We’re well beyond the days where it’s “unusual” for women to compete at the top. We’ve talked about this before—chess is richer when talent is recognized regardless of gender. Divya is making that push visible.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

So true. Speaking of reinvention, let’s jump to Passant. This game, apparently, is a total curveball—it’s like chess, but not? You’ve got zombie pieces, exploding squares, poison tiles... every round’s got new modifiers. For purists it probably feels sacrilegious, but it’s kind of awesome as an experiment? Like, chess meets Diablo.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

I’ll admit, when I first heard “chess roguelike,” I was skeptical! But Passant brings something fresh to the table. The unpredictability, different objectives, all the wacky upgrades—it makes you look at pieces, strategy, even risk, in a way you wouldn’t in classical chess. Maybe not for prepping your Candidates, but... it’s fun, and it might bring new people to chess, or even help sharpen creative thinking for existing players.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Yeah, and you know, people always complain that chess is too rigid—so if a game like this gets new folks interested, I’m totally on board. Okay, quick pivot—there’s this article that went behind the scenes of, like, actually playing live. You know, people assume chess is this super calm, logical thing, but the silence, the pressure, the audience just... watching. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing to handle, right?

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Absolutely. The tension in the room when you’re at the board, every tiny noise feels amplified—breathing, clocks ticking, even the smallest movement. It gets under your skin if you let it. It’s such a different experience from playing online. A lot of players underestimate how much the pressure of the live environment, the energy of the room, can shake even the strongest preparation. It’s not just about knowing the lines, but how you hold your nerve in the most silent, yet intense, moments. The psychological aspect is massive.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

It’s fascinating. Like, on the outside it looks so chill, but inside everyone’s racing. We’ve covered so much ground—Keymer crushing it, Gukesh hitting rough patches, milestones for Bodhana, Divya leading on equality, Passant with chess chaos, and the very real, sometimes weird pressure of sitting in a room full of spectators in total silence. I feel like every story is a reminder that chess is absolutely alive and evolving.

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Yeah, you said it. There’s so much to look forward to—Keymer’s rise, these new blends of chess and gaming with Passant, youth breaking new records, and culture evolving on and off the board. It’s a great time to be a chess fan.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Alright, that’s gonna wrap it up for this episode of Chess Times—your speedy chess fix. Priyadharshan, always appreciate your takes. And to everyone listening, stay sharp—there’s way more exciting stories ahead. We’ll see you next week for even more moves, twists, and maybe, I dunno, more chess zombies?

GM Priyadharshan Kannappan

Thanks, always a pleasure. Keep your pieces moving and your mind open! Take care, and we’ll catch you soon.

Young, American, Crisp, Female Voice (Conversational)

Bye for now!