Muthaiah triumphs at 14th Pontevedra Masters 2026, Raja Rithvik third
IM FT Muthaiah Al, IM Luis Daniel Rodriguez-Hernandez and GM Raja Rithvik R scored an unbeaten 7/9 each. Muthaiah won 14th Cidade de Pontevedra Masters 2026 on tie-breaks, Luis second and Raja third.
Muthaiah’s third triumph of the year, Deekshitha scores IM, WGM and WIM-norms, Niharika Challa becomes a WIM
IM Luis Daniel Rodriguez-Hernandez (CUB), GM Sayantan Das and GM Raja Rithvik R were the three leaders at 6.5/8 each, heading into the last round. IM FT Muthaiah Al defeated Sayantan to become the champion. Luis Daniel drew with Raja Rithvik, the former finished second and the latter third. Sayantan had to settle for sixth place. Muthaiah went on to win Leca Open 2026 in Portugal, immediately after winning this event. We will mention it in detail in a separate report.
FM Diego Cacheiro Blanco (ESP) became an International Master and WFM Niharika Challa became a Woman International Master at this event. They scored IM and WIM-norms respectively. It was Niharika’s final WIM-norm.
13-year-old WCM Deekshitha Modipalli repeated WGM Sarayu Velpula’s feat which she achieved three years ago at the very event. The reigning National Under-13 Girls 2025 champion, scored an IM, WGM and WIM-norm in this tournament. Both Sarayu and Deekshitha are students of Velocity Chess Academy, run by IM N Krishna Teja.
The total participation in this edition was 158 players, 47 in Group A, 101 in Group B and 10 in Blitz Round-Robin.
The top three prizes in Group A were €2000, €1200 and €800 along with a trophy each.
Top 3 (L to R): 3rd GM Raja Rithvik R 7/9, 2nd IM Luis Daniel Rodriguez Hernandez (CUB) 7/9 and 1st IM FT Muthaiah Al 7/9 | Photo: Escola Xadrez Pontevedra
Muthaiah – Sayantan, Round 9
Position after 24.Rd6
GM Sayantan Das (2408) decided to give up his b6-pawn for some activity 24…Ne5? His opponent, IM FT Muthaiah Al (2442) gladly accepted the offer 25.Rxb6+- and White went on to use his extra pawn advantage into a win. This crucial last round victory helped Muthaiah to become the champion.
IM FT Muthaiah Al scored an unbeaten 7/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 13.4 Elo rating points
Deekshitha – Facundo, Round 5
Position after 53…Nf1+
Despite having a lost position for the better part of the game, WCM Deekshitha Modipalli (1985) persevered against IM Facundo Vazquez (URU, 2402). She took a chance 54.Rxf1!? Qxf1 55.Ne5 Qc1 56.Nxf7 Qxc3 57.f5 Qg7 58.g6 d4 it’s a pawn race now. 59.Qg5 d3 60.f6 Qg8 61.Qg3+ Ka8 62.Qxd3 getting rid of the immediate threat. White managed to win the game in the next few moves using her connected passed pawns.
13-year-old WCM Deekshitha Modipalli scored an IM, WGM and WIM-norm | Photo: Shahid Ahmed
WCM Deekshitha Modipalli scored 5.5/9, performed at 2465, gained 184.4 Elo rating points en route her IM, WGM and WIM-norm
WFM Niharika Challa scored 5/9, finished 25th overall, earned her final WIM-norm to become a WIM | Photo: Escola Xadrez Pontevedra
WFM Niharika Challa scored 5/9, performed at 2353 and gained 38 Elo rating points en route her third WIM-norm to become a Woman International Master
The tournament hall at Pabellón Deportivo Universitario Pontevedra in Pontevedra, Spain | Photo: Escola Xadrez Pontevedra
Replay all available Group A games
A total of 81 players including eight GMs, 13 IMs and a WIM took part from 18 countries across the world in Masters (>2300). The seven-day nine-round Rating tournament was organized by Escola Xadrez Pontevedra at Pabellón Deportivo Universitario Pontevedra in Pontevedra, Spain from 24th to 30th July 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
Links
Escola Xadrez Pontevedra: Official site, facebook, instagram, youtube and twitter
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