Boris Savchenko wins 1st Berjaya Global Masters 2026, Harshavardhan second and Iniyan third

GM Boris Savchenko and GM Harshavardhan G B scored an unbeaten 7/9 each at 1st Berjaya Global Masters 2026. Savchenko became champion, Harshavardhan second. However, prize money was shared.

Six Indians in top ten, Arshpreet Singh scores an IM-norm

GM Iniyan Pa, GM Mayank Chakraborty, GM Srihari L R and IM Xiangyi Liu (SGP) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured third, fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively. However, they received RM 15000 each. Savchenko and Harshavardhan won RM 35000 each. GM Abhijeet Gupta and IM Ayush Sharma are two more Indians to make a top ten finish. They scored 6/9 each to be placed seventh and tenth respectively.

Top five (L to R): 4th GM Mayank Chakraborty 6.5/9, 2nd GM Harshavardhan G B 7/9, 1st GM Boris Savchenko 7/9, 3rd GM Iniyan Pa 6.5/9 and 5th GM Srihari L R 6.5/9 | Photo: Johor Chess Association

10th IM Ayush Sharma (second from left) 6/9 and 7th GM Abhijeet Gupta (second from right) 6/9 | Photo: Johor Chess Association

FM Arshpreet Singh was the highest non-GM/IM finisher. He scored an impressive 5.5/9 including victories over GM Andrey Gorovets (BLR), GM S Rohith Krishna and GM Deepan Chakkravarthy. He also drew against GM Petr Kiriakov en route his IM-norm.

FM Arshpreet Singh with his IM-norm certificate | Photo: Johor Chess Association

FM Arshpreet Singh in action | Photo: Philip Chan

FM Arshpreet Singh scored 5.5/9, performed at 2445 and gained 41.2 Elo rating points en route his IM-norm

Top 3 in Women (L to R): 3rd WIM Diajeng Theresa Singgih (INA) 4/9, 2nd WIM Sakshi Chitlange 4/9 and 1st WIM Lanlin Zhang (CHN) 5/9 | Photo: Johor Chess Association

The top boards in action at Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, Johor Bahru, Malaysia | Photo: Johor Chess Association

Replay all available Masters games

A total of 90 players including 18 GMs, 21 IMs, a WGM and four WIMs took part from 15 countries across the world in the Masters section. The six-day nine-round Rating tournament was organized by Chess Global Cities and Johor Chess Association at Berjaya Waterfront Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia from 8th to 13th September 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings

Links

Official site

Malaysian Chess Festival details