Muthaiah Al dominates 19th Plancoët Open 2026, Soham Bhattacharyya second

By admin July 26, 2026 0 comments

IM Muthaiah Al scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win 19th Plancoët Open 2026. Soham Bhattacharyya secured second place scoring 6.5/9.

Five Indians in top ten, Blitz: Utsab champion, Sanket second

IM FT Muthaiah Al was the sole leader 7/8, heading into the final round. Soham Bhattacharyya and IM Fabien Guilleux (FRA) were trailing by a full point at 6/8 each. Muthaiah drew against IM Utsab Chatterjee to win the tournament. Soham shared the point with Fabien to finish second. IM Shahil Dey was the last Indian to win this event in 2024.

IM Utsab Chatterjee scored 6/7 to win Blitz Open. IM Sanket Chakravarty also scored the same. He was placed second on tie-breaks.

The total participation was 190 – 64 in Open A (>1800), 40 in Open B (1500-2000), 44 in Open C (<1700) and 42 in Blitz Open.

The total prize fund was €7000. The top three prizes were €1500, €1000 and €600 along with a trophy each.

Champion in Open A – IM Muthaiah Al (second from left) 7.5/9 | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan.

Runner-up – Soham Bhattacharyya 6.5/9 | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

5th IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh 6/9 | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

6th IM Subhayan Kundu 6/9 | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

7th IM Utsab Chatterjee 6/9 | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

IM FT Muthaiah Al in action | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

IM Muthaiah Al scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, finished a full point ahead of the rest to become a clear champion

Champion in Blitz Open – IM Utsab Chatterjee 6/7 | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

Runner-up – IM Sanket Chakravarty 6/7 | Photo: Émeraude Échecs – Club d’Échecs à Plancoët et Dinan

A total of 64 players including 3 GMs, 9 IMs and a WIM took part from six countries across the world in Open A (>1800). The seven-day nine-round Rating tournament was organized by Emeraude Echecs at Salle Omnisport Joseph Samson de Plancoet in Plancoet, France from 11th to 17th July 2026. The time control of the tournament was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings in A