[PHOTOS] ChessBase India NYC Meetup 2024!

On their day off from covering the 2024 FIDE Rapid and Blitz World Championships, the ChessBase India team generously hosted a "meetup" at the chess tables at Washington Square Park. I attended and took some photos - enjoy!

GM Hashit Raja was early, and so warmed up the assembling crowd.

After a brief wait, IM Sagar Shah arrived with his team - along with surprise guest: IM Eric Rosen! I was able to get a selfie with Eric, telling him: "because of you, I had to learn how to refute the Stafford Gambit!"

Of course, it was impossible not to have at least one game for #content - with Insomnia Cookies as stakes, apparently!

American GM Sam Shankland was also a the Park, seen here playing one of the "regulars" (hustlers). I didn't see the result, but heard him comment as they shook hands: "you didn't fall for any of my opening tricks!"

Another personality at the meetup - WIM Irene Sukandar. Dewa Kipas nowhere to be found, though.

After the ChessBase India Meetup ended - another surprise - IM Carissa Yip (US Women's Champion / Olympiad Gold Medalist / Phenom) was playing a Park regular with crew filming - and I think also a livestream!

Next, she was joined by Kazakhstan's top Grandmaster, GM Rinat Jumabayev for some casual blitz - with the Park player serving as MC and providing some commentary for the assembled crowd.

Thank you to Sagar and the ChessBase India team for hosting such a great event!