Mandar Pradip Lad perfect at 9th Late Shri Chandrakant Naik Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2026

IM Mandar Pradip Lad scored a perfect 9/9 to win 9th Late Shri Chandrakant Naik Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2026.

Mandar wins this event for the fourth consecutive year with a 100% score

It is not everyday a player maintains consistency at a rapid tournament for four consecutive years. Goa’s latest IM Mandar Pradip has managed to achieve that. He won this tournament in 2023 scoring 8/8, then in the following editions 2024, 2025 and 2026, he scored 9/9 each to become a clear champion. This is also Mandar’s ninth overall, fourth rating tournament triumph of the year.

The top seed of the tournament, Mandar made a perfect start by winning eight games in-a-row. Rishikesh Parab, Devesh Anand Naik and Joshua Mark Telles were trailing by a full point at 7/8 each. A draw would have sufficed for Mandar to become a clear champion, still he went for the maximum against Rishikesh to win the event with a perfect score for the fourth consecutive year. It is indubitably an incredible feat. Devesh defeated Joshua to finish second with 8/9. Atharv Katkar lost to Abhishek Patil and the latter finished third scoring 7.5/9.

The total prize fund was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹12000 and ₹8000 along with a trophy each.

Champion – IM Mandar Pradip Lad 9/9 | Photo: FA Tanishq Kavlekar / Quepem Taluka Chess Association

Runner-up – Devesh Anand Naik 8/9 | Photo: FA Tanishq Kavlekar / Quepem Taluka Chess Association

IM Mandar Pradip Lad scored a perfect 9/9, finished a full point ahead of the field and gained 19.2 Elo rating points

Goa’s latest IM Mandar Pradip Lad getting felicitated | Photo: FA Tanishq Kavlekar / Quepem Taluka Chess Association

Prize distribution ceremony | Photo: FA Tanishq Kavlekar / Quepem Taluka Chess Association

The prize distribution ceremony was graced by Mr. Vinay Dinu Tendulkar, President of DTCA and former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, as the Chief Guest, along with Mr. Kishor Dessai, Joint Secretary, Goa Chess Association, as the Guest of Honour. Also present were Mr. Sameer Naik, Secretary, Quepem Taluka Chess Association; IA Sanjay Kavlekar, Tournament Director; FA Tanishq Kavlekar, Chief Arbiter; and Mr. Sapnesh Naik, Principal, Mr. Chandreshwar Boothnath Higher Secondary School.

Various prize winners | Photo: FA Tanishq Kavlekar / Quepem Taluka Chess Association

Thanks to FA Tanishq Kavlekar, Chief Arbiter, for sharing the photographs and information about the tournament.

A total of 215 players including an IM took part from various parts of the country. The two-day nine-round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Quepem Taluka Chess Association at Govt. College of Arts, Commerce & Science in Quepem, Goa on 3rd and 4th October 2026. The time control of the tournament was 25 minutes + 5 seconds increment.

Final standings