Sairam Bala M triumphs at 5th ICC Rapid Rating Open 2026
Sairam Bala M, FM Aakash G, FM V S Nandish and Nigash G scored 8/9 each at 5th ICC Rapid Rating Open 2026. Sairam won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining three were placed second to fourth respectively.
Sairam’s first rating tournament victory of his career
CM Sarveshwaran and the reigning National Under-17 Open 2026 champion, FM V S Nandish were the coleaders 7.5/8 each, heading into the last round. Adhul Adithyan J lost to Sairam Bala M and the latter became the champion. FM Aakash G defeated Rahul K to secure second place. FM Ram S Krishnan drew against Nandish who claimed third place. Only Sairam and Nandish remained undefeated among the top four.
The total prize fund was ₹300000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each.
Champion – Sairam Bala M 8/9 | Photo: Dr. IA Sathiesh G G / Indian Chess Consortium
Top two – 1st Sairam Bala M 8/9 and 2nd FM Aakash G 8/9 | Photo: Dr. IA Sathiesh G G / Indian Chess Consortium
Sairam Bala M scored an unbeaten 8/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 67.6 Elo rating points
Trophies for the prize winners | Photo: Dr. IA Sathiesh G G / Indian Chess Consortium
A total of 544 players including three IMs took part from various parts of the country, one from Canada and USA each, and two from Zimbabwe. The one-day nine-round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Indian Chess Consortium at Sri Venkatalakshmi Kalyana Mandapam in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on 26th April 2026. The time control of the tournament was 15 minutes + 3 seconds increment.
Final standings
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