The upcoming Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is set to welcome an impressive lineup of Indian chess players, as Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi has qualified for the competition’s second leg in Paris next month. Gujrathi secured his place in the Paris event by defeating Richard Rapport with a score of 1.5 to 0.5, marking him as the 12th and final participant in this leg of the tour.

Gujrathi secured his spot by triumphing in the Freestyle Chess Paris Play-in, enhancing an already talented group that includes reigning world champion D Gukesh, Tata Steel Chess winner R Praggnanandhaa, and world No. 5 Arjun Erigaisi.

Gukesh, who will participate in all five legs of the tournament as the reigning champion, had a challenging start at the inaugural Grand Slam event in Weissenhaus, Germany. The 18-year-old faced difficulties, ultimately finishing eighth out of ten competitors without securing a victory.

For Gujrathi, the beginning of April will prove particularly demanding, as he heads to Paris just four days after his wedding to Nidhi Kataria, a professional homeopathic doctor. The Paris leg of the tour will run from April 7 to 14—exactly two months after the Weissenhaus competition.

In a candid remark, Gujrathi shared, “I have my wedding in early April, and now probably Paris will be the place where I go for honeymooning because there’s no time. As soon as I get married, I’ll be flying out, it looks like, but I will need help with the visa for my fiancé—that will be useful!” This highlights the challenges he faces in balancing personal commitments with his professional aspirations.

At 30 years old, Gujrathi brings a wealth of experience, having been part of the Indian team that achieved a groundbreaking gold medal performance at the Chess Olympiad last year. His journey through the competition also included notable victories over compatriot M Pranesh and Amin Tabatabaei, solidifying his readiness for the challenges ahead in Paris.

New Zealand’s Tim Robinson pulled off a jaw-dropping catch to dismiss Shadab Khan in the 1st T20I against Pakistan, leaving the cricketing world in awe. The stunning effort at Hagley Oval, Christchurch quickly went viral, with fans comparing it to Glenn Phillips’ iconic catches in past tournaments.

New Zealand dismantles Pakistan with all-round performance

The Kiwis outclassed Pakistan in all aspects of the game, securing a 9-wicket victory to go 1-0 up in the five-match series. Michael Bracewell’s decision to bowl first proved spot on, as Pakistan collapsed for just 91 runs.

Kyle Jamieson tore through the top order, taking 3 wickets for 8 runs.

Jacob Duffy ran through the middle order with 4 wickets, ensuring Pakistan never recovered.

Only Khushdil Shah (32 runs) showed some resistance, preventing an even worse total.

Chase sealed in just 10.1 overs

New Zealand’s chase was effortless, with Tim Seifert leading the way with 44 runs before falling to Abrar Ahmed. By then, the damage was done, and the Black Caps cruised to victory in just 10.1 overs.

Tim Robinson’s catch steals the spotlight

Amid the bowling brilliance and batting dominance, it was Tim Robinson’s spectacular grab that became the moment of the match. His diving effort to dismiss Shadab Khan drew comparisons to Glenn Phillips’ stunning catches in the ICC tournaments.

The clip of the breathtaking catch quickly went viral, with cricket fans worldwide praising Robinson’s athleticism.

Pakistan captain acknowledges team’s struggles

Following the defeat, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha admitted his team was outplayed but remained optimistic.”It was difficult, we weren’t up to the mark, but we need to regather (ahead of Dunedin). They bowled really well, in great areas, and there was a bit of seam movement as well,” he said.

With three debutants in the squad, Agha emphasized the importance of gaining experience and bouncing back in the next match. Pakistan will now look to recover in the 2nd T20I on Tuesday in Dunedin, hoping to put up a better fight.

Lando Norris kicked off the 2025 Formula 1 season in dazzling style on Sunday, March 16, triumphing at the Australian Grand Prix after expertly fending off a late challenge from none other than Max Verstappen. The race was a rollercoaster of rain and drama, resulting in Lewis Hamilton finishing a frustrating 10th in his Ferrari debut, while George Russell claimed a commendable third for Mercedes.

Hometown hero Oscar Piastri experienced a heart-wrenching turn of events; despite being in striking distance of the lead at one point, a slip caused by the treacherous wet track derailed his chances, leaving him to fight back from the tail end of the pack. For Ferrari, the day turned into disarray as their ambitious strategy fell flat, culminating in a gamble that backfired dramatically in the race’s final stages.

Rain was on everyone’s radar leading up to the race, highlighted during qualifying, but it unleashed its fury right from the start. The opening moments were chaotic, with Jack Doolahan slamming into the wall and reigning champion Carlos Sainz crashing out, all while the safety car made its presence felt.

As the green flag waved on lap eight, Norris surged ahead with Verstappen hot on his tail. Hamilton, however, struggled to find his rhythm early on, stuck behind Albon and unable to push forward.

Amidst the turmoil, Piastri showcased his boldness, executing a stunning move on lap 17 to overtake Verstappen, putting McLaren in the spotlight at the front of the race. However, as the laps ticked away, Verstappen’s tires began to degrade, allowing Norris to stretch his lead to a staggering ten seconds. Piastri, closing in on his teammate, was initially ordered to hold his position, only to receive the green light to race freely by lap 34.

As the weather worsened, Alonso’s crash opened the door for crucial tire changes, leading Norris, Verstappen, and Hamilton to gamble on new rubber. But torrential rain threw another wrench into the works as both Norris and Piastri skidded off track—unfortunately, Piastri bore the brunt of it, relegating him to the back of the grid while Verstappen seized the lead.

Ferrari’s hopes of a strategic masterstroke evaporated when they pitted both drivers just as others shifted to intermediates, only for a safety car to be deployed again following crashes involving Dawson and Bortoleto.

With the race resuming on lap 52, Norris regained the lead under the shadow of the safety car. He executed a brilliant restart while Piastri gradually clawed his way back up, revitalized by the chaotic sequences. Verstappen, relentless in his pursuit, put the pressure on Norris, as Albon engaged in a fierce battle for fourth with Antonelli.

In the end, a five-second penalty for the Mercedes driver sealed Albon’s fourth-place finish, just as Norris crossed the finish line to claim victory. Meanwhile, a frustrated Hamilton found himself eclipsed by Piastri in the closing moments, relegating the seasoned driver to a disappointing tenth as Piastri secured a ninth-place comeback to the delight of his home crowd. The 2025 season kicked off with a bang, promising an exhilarating year ahead.