Lalit Rohit clear first at 43rd Münsterland Open 2026
GM Lalit Rohit scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 43rd Münsterland Open A (>2000) 2026.
Lalit’s first rating tournament triumph of the year
FM Sascha Kurt (NED) and GM Lalit Rohit were coleaders at 6.5/8 each, heading into the final round. FM Alexander Xhembulla (ALB) was the sole player trailing them by a half point. Sascha drew against Xhembulla and the former finished third. Collin Goldkuhle (GER) lost to Lalit and the latter became the champion. Toshiya Aguike (GER) lost to IM Mykola Korchynskyi (GER) and the latter finished second. Lalit went on to win his second consecutive tournament of the year – Benidorm Open 2026. It will be mentioned in detail in a separate report.
IM Sharan Rao and his better half WGM Isha Sharma are the remaining two Indians to make a top ten finish. They scored 6/9 and 5.5/9 each respectively to claim fifth and eighth place respectively. Sharan won the Blitz Rating Open and one of his students, FM Siddhanth Poonja won the Chess960 Open. Sharan and Isha were playing and accompanying their Rao’s Chess Corner academy students in various parts of Europe, while playing and winning events to inspire them.
The total participation was – 389 players, 82 in Open A (>2000), 140 in Open B (<2100), 90 in Challengers (<1700), 58 in Blitz Rating Open and 19 in Chess960. The top three prizes were €1600, €1100 and €800 each.
Champion – GM Lalit Rohit 7.5/9
Collin – Lalit, Round 9
Position after 19.Qf1
Collin Goldkuhle’s (GER, 2168) 19.Qf1 invited trouble. GM Lalit Rohit (2489) had no trouble spotting the correct continuation 19…Bxf3 20.gxf3 f4 21.Bc1?? and things fell apart in a hurry for White after Be5-+ 22.Bb2 Rd2 23.Rab1 Bd4 24.Nd1 Qg6+ and Black won the game in ten more moves.
GM Lalit Rohit en route his first round win | Photo: Official site
GM Lalit Rohit scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, finished a half point ahead of the rest and gained 6 Elo rating points
Blitz: Sharan Rao superb, Aarush Bhat third
IM FT Sharan Rao scored an unbeaten 12.5/13 to win 18th Münsteraner Blitz Rating Open 2026. FM Luka Schwitkowski (GER) scored 11.5/13 to secure second place. Aarush Bhat scored 10/13 to finish third. Angada H P is the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 8/10 to be placed tenth.
Champion in Blitz and Runner-up in Chess960 – IM FT Sharan Rao 12.5/13 and 5/6 | Photo: Official site
IM FT Sharan Rao scored an impresive 12.5/13, finished a full point ahead of the competition and gained 50.2 Elo rating points
Chess960: Siddhanth Poonja first, Sharan Rao second and Isha Sharma third
The 4th Münsteraner Chess960 podium was dominated by Rao’s Chess Corner. FM Siddhanth Poonja became the champion scoring an unbeaten 5.5/6. His coaches completed the podium. IM FT Sharan Rao scored 5/6 to secure second place. WGM FT Isha Sharma scored 4.5/6 to claim third place.
Champion in Chess960 – FM Siddhanth Poonja 5.5/6 | Photo: Official site
8th in Classical and 3rd in Chess960 – WGM FT Isha Sharma 6/9 and 4.5/6 | Photo: Official site
The tournament hall at at Stadthalle Hiltrup in Münster, Germany | Photo: Official site
Replay all available A-Open games
A total of 82 players including a GM, four IMs and a WGM took part from ten countries across the world. The eight-day nine-round Rating A-Open (>2000) tournament was organized by SK Münster 1932 at Stadthalle Hiltrup in Münster, Germany from 17th to 24th October 2026. The time control of the tournament was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
A total of 58 players including an IM took part from seven countries across the world. The one-day 13-round Blitz Rating Open tournament was organized by SK Münster 1932 at Stadthalle Hiltrup in Münster, Germany on 20th October 2026. The time control of the tournament was 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.
Final standings in Blitz Rating Open
A total of 19 players including an IM and a WGM took part from two countries across the world. The one-day seven-round Chess960 Open tournament was organized by SK Münster 1932 at Stadthalle Hiltrup in Münster, Germany on 22nd October 2026. The time control of the tournament was 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment.
Final standings in Chess960 Open
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