Barath Kalyan dominates 3rd Eight Square Chess Academy Rapid Rating Open 2026
CM Barath Kalyan M scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 3rd Eight Square Chess Academy Rapid Rating Open 2026.
Barath’s first rating tournament triumph of the year
CM Barath Kalyan M made a perfect start by winning eight games in-a-row. 14 players were trailing him by a full point at 7/8 each. Barath drew against Siddhanth Poonja in the final round to become a clear champion. FM Pranav K P defeated CM Sanjay Narayanan P S to finish second. IM P D S Girinath lost to CM Bhaavan Kolla who claimed third place.
The total prize fund was ₹300000. The top three prizes were ₹30000, ₹25000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. The tournament also had six tablets and ten smartwatches among prizes.
Top 3 (L to R): 2nd FM Pranav K P 8/9, 1st CM Barath Kalyan M 8.5/9 and 3rd CM Bhaavan Kolla 8/9 | Photo: IA Arasu B
CM Barath Kalyan M scored an unbeaten 8.5/9, finished a half point ahead of the rest and gained 36 Elo rating points
Players in action on top boards | Photo: IA Arasu B
The tournament hall at Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Photo: IA Arasu B
A total of 561 players including three IMs took part from various parts of the country, one from Netherlands and the USA each. The one-day nine-round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Eight Square Chess Academy at Hall of Chess, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on 24th May 2026. The time control of the tournament was 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment.
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