Goutham Krishna perfect at 1st Lions and Leo Club of Belgaum Blitz Rating Open 2026
IM Goutham Krishna H scored a perfect 9/9 to win 1st Lions and Leo Club of Belgaum Blitz Rating Open 2026.
Goutham’s tenth overall, seventh rating tournament triumph of the year
The top seed, IM Goutham Krishna H made a perfect start by winning eight games in-a-row. Seven players – IM Mandar Pradip Lad, IM Aradhya Garg, IM Aakash Sharadchandra Dalvi, IM Kashish Manoj Jain, FM Niranjan Navalgund, FM J Ramakrishna and V P Prajwal were trailing by a full point at 7/8 each. Although a draw would have sufficed Goutham to become a clear champion, still he went for the maximum against Mandar to win the tournament with a 100% score. Niranjan defeated Prajwal to secure second place. Kashish won against Aradhya to finish third.
The total prize fund combining Rapid and Blitz event was ₹725000, ₹600000 for Rapid and ₹100000 for Blitz. The top three prizes in Blitz were ₹21000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each.
Champion – IM Goutham Krishna H 9/9 | Photo: FA DI Aakash Madiwalar/Belgaum District Chess Association
Runner-up – FM FT Niranjan Navalgund 8/9 | Photo: FA DI Aakash Madiwalar/Belgaum District Chess Association
Second Runner-up – IM Kashish Manoj Jain 8/9 | Photo: FA DI Aakash Madiwalar/Belgaum District Chess Association
Top 3 (L to R): 3rd IM Kashish Manoj Jain 8/9, 2nd FM FT Niranjan Navalgund 8/9 and 1st IM Goutham Krishna H 9/9 | Photo: FA DI Aakash Madiwalar/Belgaum District Chess Association
IM Goutham Krishna H scored a perfect 9/9, finished a full point ahead of the competition and gained 12.4 Elo rating points
Players in action | Photo: FA DI Aakash Madiwalar/Belgaum District Chess Association
Trophies for the prize winners | Photo: FA DI Aakash Madiwalar/Belgaum District Chess Association
The tournament hall at KPTCL Hall in Belagavi, Karnataka | Photo: FA DI Aakash Madiwalar/Belgaum District Chess Association
Thanks to FA DI Aakash Madiwalar, Secretary, Belgaum District Chess Association, for sharing the photographs.
A total of 322 players including a GM, 14 IMs and a WIM took part from all over the country. The one-day nine-round Blitz Rating Open tournament was organized by Lion’s Club of Belgaum and Leo Club of Belgaum at KPTCL Hall in Belagavi, Karnataka on 25th October 2026. The time control of the tournament was 3 minutes +2 seconds increment.
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