schimschacks.com – Opinion & Topical Discussions

Premier League: Manchester City punished at home as Totteham Hotspur continue winning streak

Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha scored the goals. Manchester City's goalkeeper James Trafford had a difficult debut as his error led to Palhinha's goal. Rayan Ait-Nouri was injured and taken off for Manchester City. Tottenham's coach Thomas Frank continues his unbeaten run.

Durand Cup: NorthEast United thrash Diamond Harbour 6-1 to retain title in style

NorthEast United FC showcased a dominant performance, crushing debutants Diamond Harbour FC 6-1 in the Durand Cup final. Alaaeddine Ajaraie's stellar play, including three assists and a penalty, earned him both Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. Six different players scored for NorthEast, securing their second consecutive title.

Sunil Gavaskar donates his 'lucky' Dadar Union cap from 1981 MCG win to MCA Cricket Museum

Sunil Gavaskar was overwhelmed as his statue was unveiled at Wankhede Stadium, alongside Sharad Pawar. Gavaskar donated his 'lucky' Dadar Union cap, worn during India's 1981 Melbourne Test win, to the MCA museum. He expressed gratitude to the MCA, calling it his 'mother' in cricket, and reminisced about his 10,000th Test run, which inspired the statue.

Asia Cup: 'I cannot say anything' - Shardul Thakur tight-lipped on Shreyas Iyer snub

Shardul Thakur voiced his support for Shreyas Iyer after his Asia Cup 2025 squad omission, emphasizing the selectors' decision and Iyer's resilience. Thakur expressed confidence in Iyer's ability to make a strong comeback in future matches. He also highlighted the Asia Cup's significance as a confidence booster ahead of the World Cup, particularly the high-stakes India-Pakistan match.

Asia Cup | Wasim Akram warns players and fans ahead of India vs Pakistan clash: 'Do not cross the line'

Pakistani legend Wasim Akram has urged both Indian and Pakistani players and fans to maintain discipline during their Asia Cup clashes. Akram acknowledged India's strong form, highlighting that the team which handles pressure best will emerge victorious. He also expressed his desire for the resumption of India-Pakistan Test series, emphasizing the global appeal and historic significance of such encounters.

'He's a genius!': Bizarre MS Dhoni stumping leaves Australia wicketkeeper in disbelief - Luck or skill?

During a 2016 T20I between India and Australia, MS Dhoni executed a remarkable stumping of James Faulkner, sparking debate about whether it was intentional or accidental. Faulkner's attempted cut shot deflected off Dhoni's pad onto the stumps, leaving the batter stranded. Alex Carey suggested Dhoni's genius made the improbable seem deliberate, highlighting the respect he commands for his instinctive skills.

Cristiano Ronaldo devastated after final loss; still no silverware with Al-Nassr – Watch

Al-Nassr faced defeat against Al-Ahli in the Saudi Super Cup final after a penalty shootout. The match concluded 2-2 after normal time. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 100th goal for Al-Nassr during the game from the penalty spot. However, his team missed crucial penalties as Al-Ahli Saudi secured the victory. Ronaldo's quest for a major trophy with Al-Nassr continues.

US Open 2025: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz show reigns, but who's next?

The US Open anticipates a potential shift in men's tennis as the Sinner-Alcaraz duopoly faces challenges. Djokovic highlights the possibility of a 'third guy' disrupting their dominance, drawing parallels to his early career. Ben Shelton, with his unique style and recent success, emerges as a contender, aiming to challenge the top players and make a significant impact at the tournament.

'It's weird': AB de Villiers baffled by Shreyas Iyer’s Asia Cup snub, suspects off-field reasons

AB de Villiers expressed surprise at Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from India's Asia Cup squad, despite Iyer's strong IPL performance, Champions Trophy contribution, and leadership qualities. De Villiers speculated that non-cricketing factors, such as team dynamics or an abundance of leaders, might have influenced the selectors' decision, urging further inquiry into the matter.

'If something is working, don’t change it': R Ashwin warns Gautam Gambhir and Co. over fitness overhaul

Ravichandran Ashwin has cautioned Gautam Gambhir's new support staff against abrupt changes to the Indian team's fitness regimes. He highlighted potential harm to players due to frequent alterations in training methods and testing parameters, referencing his own past struggles.

Novak Djokovic explains skipping Masters before US Open: Family first, Slams second

Novak Djokovic skipped the Toronto and Cincinnati Masters to prioritise family time, saying he now focusses mainly on Grand Slams rather than ranking points. Ahead of his US Open opener, the 38-year-old admitted he may even miss his daughter's birthday during the tournament.

ENG vs SA: After No.1 ODI ranking, Keshav Maharaj earns T20I recall for England tour

Keshav Maharaj returns to South Africa's ODI and T20I squads after claiming the No.1 ICC ODI bowler ranking, while Lizaad Williams, Marco Jansen, David Miller, and Donovan Ferreira also rejoin the white-ball side.

Susan Polgar defends D Gukesh after Gary Kasparov world championship jibe

Susan Polgar has jumped to the defence of D Gukesh after Garry Kasparov took a jibe at the Indian grandmaster over his World Championship win. Gukesh won the title in 2024 when he defeated Ding Liren in Decemeber.

Sachin Tendulkar played at 16! Ex-England cricketer on Jacob Bethell's selection; slams country for 'conservative' mindset

Jacob Bethell will captain England in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland. He will replace Harry Brook, who is being rested for The Ashes. While some criticized Bethell's appointment and his inclusion in the Test side, Rob Key defended it. The former England player believes that talent should be prioritized over the number of games under one's belt. Bethell will become England's youngest international captain. The series in Dublin starts September 17.

Cricket | Bangladesh women's team loses twice to U-15 boys side

Bangladesh women's cricket team faced a setback in their World Cup preparations, suffering consecutive defeats against the country's Under-15 boys in the Challenge Cup. The U-15 team dominated both fixtures, outclassing Women's Red by 87 runs and Women's Green by 41 runs. Captain Nigar Sultana acknowledged that more international exposure would have been beneficial leading up to the tournament.

Online Gaming Bill 2025: WinZO withdraws money-based games after Presidential assent - 'The best is yet to come'

WinZO, one of India's leading social gaming platforms, will withdraw money-based games following the new online gaming bill. The legislation, effective August 22, 2025, prohibits real-money gaming but supports e-sports. WinZO emphasizes its commitment to compliance and innovation, despite the significant regulatory shift. Other gaming firms like Dream11 and Games24x7 are also adapting, signaling a major transformation in India's online gaming sector.

ICC ODI World Cup 2027: South Africa to host 44 matches, Zimbabwe and Namibia 10; CSA confirms eight venues

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has revealed plans for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, featuring 44 matches across eight South African cities, with Zimbabwe and Namibia hosting 10 matches. Former minister Trevor Manuel leads the Local Organising Committee, aiming for a unifying event.

'He didn’t put a foot wrong': Sanjay Manjrekar questions Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from Asia Cup - Watch

Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the Indian selection committee's approach of rewarding players for Test performances with T20I spots, deeming it illogical. He questioned Shubman Gill's inclusion in the Asia Cup squad while expressing shock over Shreyas Iyer's exclusion despite his outstanding IPL form and recent displays of maturity in other formats.

Chess Titans Clash: Kasparov and Anand Renew Rivalry in St. Louis Exhibition

Chess legends Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov are set to reignite their historic rivalry in St. Louis this October, headlining the Clutch Chess series. Adding to the excitement, current world champion D Gukesh will face off against Magnus Carlsen. Kasparov, while acknowledging Gukesh's title win, suggests Carlsen remains the strongest player, sparking debate about the current world championship landscape.

Virat Kohli ready for Australia series? Post-practice images from the UK go viral – see pics

Virat Kohli's training images from London have sparked excitement among fans as he prepares for the upcoming ODI series in Australia. Spotted at Lord's Cricket Ground, Kohli balanced practice with leisure, spending time with wife Anushka Sharma. Despite discussions about farewell matches, BCCI clarifies that Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to be vital players in the ODI format.