Vignesh B clear first at 2nd Eight Square Chess Academy Rating Open 2026

Vignesh B scored sole 8/9 to win 2nd Eight Square Chess Academy Rating Open 2026. IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam, FM Jai Sankar Subramanian, Sailesh R and Johny Arixander scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed second to fifth respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹500001. The top three prizes were ₹50001, ₹35000 and ₹25000 along with a trophy each.

Vignesh’s first rating tournament triumph of the year

Five players – CM Gokul G, Sailesh R, Vignesh B, FM Jai Sankar Subramanian and Kathir Kaman T were the leaders at 7/8 each, heading into the final round. Gokul lost to Vignesh and the latter became a clear champion. IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam defeated Kathir to secure second place. Sailesh drew against Jai who finished third.

Champion – Vignesh B 8/9 | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

Runner-up – IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam 7.5/9 | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

Top 3 (L to R): 3rd FM Jai Sankar Subramanian 7.5/9, 1st Vignesh B 8/9 and 2nd IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam 7.5/9 | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

Vignesh suffered his sole loss of the event against IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam in the fifth round | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

Vignesh B scored 8/9, finished a half point ahead of the field and gained 5 Elo rating points

P Stephen Balasamy, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, delivering his speech at the inauguration ceremony | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

IA SI Sivaranjani S, Secretary of Eight Square Chess Academy and Organizer of the tournament, presenting a token of appreciation to Mr. R Srinivasan, Treasurer, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

IA NI Sakthi Prabhakar B (right) made the inaugural first move | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

Revered IA R Anatharam making a ceremonial first move | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

Players in action | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

Top boards | Photo: IA Arasu B / Eight Square Chess Academy

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

Sitting third from left – Ms. Sivarajani – IA, SI,NI. Secretary, Eight Square Chess Academy and on her right IA Nandha Kumar, Chief Arbiter.

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

Thanks to IA Arasu B for sharing the photographs and information about the tournament.

Replay all available games

A total of 394 players including two IMs took part from various parts the country, two from Canada and USA each, one from Egypt and South Korea each. The five-day nine-round Rating Open was organized by Eight Square Chess Academy at Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 1st to 5th April 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings

Details