Balanandan Ayyappan clear first at 3rd Eight Square Chess Academy Rating Open 2026

Balanandan Ayyappan scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 3rd Eight Square Chess Academy Rating Open 2026.

Balanandan’s second overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year

Balanandan Ayyappan was the sole leader 7/8, heading into the last round. Half a dozen players – Gyana Sai Santhosh M, WCM Divi Bijesh, IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam, Prasanna Karthick M, Marthandan K U and Devnath Bijesh were trailing by a half point at 6.5/8 each. Ramnathan lost to Balanandan and the latter became the champion. Divi suffered defeat against Prasanna who claimed second place. Devnath defeated Marthandan to finish third.

The total prize fund was ₹500001. The top three prizes were ₹50001, ₹35000 and ₹25000 with a trophy each.

Top 3 (L to R): 3rd Devnath Bijesh 7.5/9, 1st Balanandan Ayyappan 8/9 and 2nd Prasanna Karthick M 7.5/9 | Photo: IA B Arasu / Eight Square Chess Academy

Mr. Stephen Balasamy P, Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, made the inaugural first move | Photo: IA B Arasu / Eight Square Chess Academy

Balanandan Ayyappan scored an unbeaten 8/9, finished a half point ahead of the field and gained 94.8 Elo rating points

Players in action at Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Photo: IA B Arasu / Eight Square Chess Academy

Arbiters’ team | Photo: IA B Arasu / Eight Square Chess Academy

Thanks to the Chief Arbiter – IA FPE B Arasu for sharing the photographs and information.

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A total of 216 players including two IMs took part from various parts of India, one each from England, Scotland and the USA. The five-day nine-round Rating Open tournament was organized by Eight Square Chess Academy at Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 7th to 11th October 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings