India's Viswanathan Anand, a former World Chess Champion, participated in the FIDE World Cup 2021, held in Sochi, Russia, from July 10 to August 6, 2021. He made it to the quarterfinals before being eliminated.
China's Hou Yifan, a former Women's World Chess Champion, won the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss tournament held in Riga, Latvia, from July 3 to 15, 2021. The tournament featured some of the world's top female chess players.
Vietnam's Le Quang Liem won the gold medal in the men's individual blitz event at the Asian Chess Championship 2021, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from May 26 to June 4, 2021.
Iran's Sarasadat Khademalsharieh won the gold medal in the women's individual rapid event at the same Asian Chess Championship.