This was a week when chess remembered.
The inaugural Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz celebrated the life and legacy of GM Daniel Naroditsky—the grandmaster, educator and creator who helped bring a new generation of fans into the game, but who sadly died last October.
At the same time, the controversy surrounding the accusations made against him by GM Vladimir Kramnik continued to dominate discussion, with Kramnik's suspension and appeal ensuring that the debate over his conduct is far from finished.
Elsewhere, GM Alireza Firouzja produced a dramatic victory in Croatia, women's chess continued its impressive growth, and the political landscape around FIDE's future leadership became increasingly active.
Remembering Daniel
The first Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz in Charlotte, North Carolina, brought together elite players, creators and fans to celebrate one of chess's most influential modern figures.
GM Javokhir Sindarov, the new world title challenger, claimed both the Rapid and Blitz titles, underlining his extraordinary rise among the world's elite.
Sindarov was delighted with his win. The event also highlighted Naroditsky's unique contribution to the game.
Karpov Backs Kramnik
The tournament carried additional significance given the events surrounding Naroditsky's final year. The public dispute involving the former World Champion Kramnik and accusations of cheating against Naroditsky became the subject of a FIDE ethics case, with the federation finally reaching its conclusion in the case last week.
FIDE opted to sanction Kramnik for violations related to his public statements. World Chess covered FIDE's decision here. Kramnik has appealed the ruling, meaning the controversy remains unresolved.
At the same time, the Russian media outlet Metro Moscow has been garnering support for Kramnik.
It spoke to four top Russian players who supported Kramnik's stance: former World Champion-turned-politician in Russia's Duma, GM Anatoly Karpov; three-time World Blitz Champion GM Alexander Grischuk; European Rapid Chess Champion Alexander Ryazantsev and three-time European Women's Champion GM Valentina Gunina.
Karpov publicly criticised the sanction as "a stupid decision" arguing that it reflected deeper problems within FIDE's current leadership.
Grischuk also weighed in on Kramnik's side, telling Metro: "There was an organised large-scale harassment of Kramnik, and the FIDE Ethics Commission decided to join it..."
Moscow's free daily newspaper did not offer any alternative viewpoint.
Firouzja Wins Croatia
The SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in Grand Chess Tour history.
Firouzja emerged victorious after an extraordinary final day and an Armageddon playoff, adding another major title to his resume. But the tournament was memorable for far more than the final standings. Momentum swung repeatedly, contenders rose and fell, and the closing rounds produced exactly the kind of chaos that makes elite rapid and blitz chess so compelling.
Read our coverage:
World's most dramatic grandmaster does it the dramatic way to win Grand Chess Tour Croatia.
Santos Triumphs In León
Spain's prestigious León Masters once again delivered entertaining chess, with 29-year-old local hero GM Jaime Santos topping a strong field boasting some much bigger names to emerge as champion.
Among them were the record-breaking youngster, Argentina's 12-year-old GM-elect Faustino Oro, who Santos beat in the semis, and Vietnamese defending champion GM Liem Le, who fell in the final.
The tournament remains one of Europe's most distinctive elite events, combining rapid-format entertainment with a long tradition of inviting established stars and rising talents. This year's edition added another memorable chapter to that history.
Women's Chess Keeps Growing
Some of the week's best news came away from the open competitions.
Women's chess continues to build momentum worldwide, with participation increasing, development programmes expanding and the competitive ecosystem becoming stronger across every level of the game.
More young girls are entering organised chess, stronger professional circuits continue to emerge, and investment in women's events is producing visible results. Progress remains gradual, but the direction is unmistakably positive.
Read more:
Women's chess ecosystem goes from strength to strength.
Peru Enters the Political Spotlight
As attention gradually shifts toward the next FIDE presidential election in September, Peru has unexpectedly become one of the campaign's earliest battlegrounds.
The episode illustrates how international chess politics often develops long before official campaigns begin. Behind every election are dozens of national federations, shifting alliances and local disputes that can have global consequences. We find it fascinating—and we definitely didn't see this one coming.
Read our analysis:
Peru becomes unlikely flashpoint in FIDE presidential race.