Aronyak Ghosh and Abhimanyu Puranik are National Rapid and Blitz Rating 2026 Champions

IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB) scored an unbeaten 9.5/11 to become National Rapid Rating 2026 champion. GM Karthikeyan Murali (TN) and IM Hari Madhavan N B (TN) scored 9/11 each to secure second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. GM Abhimanyu Puranik (MAH) and GM Sayantan Das (RSPB) scored 9/11 each in Blitz. Abhimanyu became National Blitz Rating 2026 champion due to better tie-break score. Sayantan settled for second place. Hari Madhavan also was placed third in Blitz scoring the same 8.5/11.

Hari Madhavan N B third in both Rapid and Blitz

IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB) was the sole leader 9/10, heading into the final round of Rapid. IM Hari Madhavan N B (TN) was trailing him by a half point at 8.5/10. Aronyak drew against Hari as it was enough for him to become a clear champion, Hari finished third. GM Karthikeyan Murali (TN) defeated former National Rapid champion, GM Diptayan Ghosh (RSPB) to claim second place.

In Blitz, GM Abhimanyu Puranik (MAH), IM Hari Madhavan N B (TN) and GM Arjun Kalyan (TN) were the three leaders at 8.5/10 each, going into the last round. IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB), GM Karthikeyan Murali (TN) and GM Sayantan Das (RSPB) were trailing at 8/10 each. Aronyak drew against Abhimanyu and the latter became the champion, Aronyak finished sixth. Sayantan defeated Arjun to secure second place. IM Sanket Chakravarty (WB) won against Hari, still the latter finished third.

The total prize fund in Rapid and Blitz Rating was ₹400000 and ₹250000 each. The top three prizes in Rapid were ₹75000 + trophy, ₹60000 and ₹50000, for Blitz they were ₹5000 + trophy, ₹4000 and ₹30000 each.

Champion in Blitz and Rapid – GM Abhimanyu Puranik (MAH) 9/11 and IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB) 9.5/11 | Photo: Sarala Birla University

Runner-up in Blitz – GM Sayantan Das (RSPB) 9/11 | Photo: Sarala Birla University

Second Runner-up in Rapid and Blitz – IM Hari Madhavan N B (TN) 8.5/11 | Photo: Sarala Birla University

Top 3 in Rapid and Blitz (L to R): 3rd in Rapid and Blitz – IM Hari Madhavan N B (TN) 8.5/11, 2nd in Blitz GM Sayantan Das (RSPB) 9/11, 1st in Blitz and 6th in Rapid – GM Abhimanyu Puranik (MAH) 9/11 and 8.5/11, 1st in Rapid and 6th in Blitz – IM Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB) 9.5/11 and 8.5/11, 2nd in Rapid – GM Karthikeyan Murali (TN) 9/11 and 7th in Blitz – IM Sanket Chakravarty (WB) 8.5/11 | Photo: Sarala Birla University

Karthikeyan – Aronyak, Rapid Round 9

Position after 26.Bb5??

26.Bb5?? allowed g5-+ 27.Nd3 Nf3 +28.Kg2 Qd5 29.Kf1 Re8 30.Bc4 Nd2+! and White resigned as he had to give up his c4-bishop in order to prevent Qh1#.

IM Aronyak Ghosh scored an unbeaten 9.5/11, finished a half point ahead of the rest and gained 19.5 Elo rating points

Abhimanyu – Ratnakaran, Blitz Round 8

Position after 32…f5

GM Abhimanyu Puranik (MAH, 2519) did what the position needed him to do, sacrifice an exchange 33.Rxf5 Bxf5 34.Qxf5 Nd6 35.Qe6+ Rf7 36.Rxh7 Qxh7 37.Bxh7+ Kxh7 38.Ncxe5 and White went on to win the game in the next few moves against IM Ratnakaran K (RSPB, 2285).

GM Abhimanyu Puranik scored 9/11, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 6.4 Elo rating points

Fun fact: Both champions, Aronyak and Abhimanyu finished sixth in the other event which they did not win. Aronyak claimed sixth place in Blitz while Abhimanyu was sixth in Rapid.

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Final standings in Rapid Rating

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Final standings in Blitz Rating

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