European Club CupĀ 2026: Alkaloid and Tuxera score second whitewash in-a-row
Alkaloid and Tuxera Aquaprofit Nagykanizsai have managed to win their second consecutive match at 41st European Chess Club Cup 2026.
Humpy makes her return for Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo after nearly seven years, Nihal debuts for Novy Bor Chess Club
Among the Indians, GM Arjun Erigaisi, GM Aravindh Chithambaram, GM Abhimanyu Puranik, GM Karthikeyan Murali, GM Pranesh M and GM Humpy Koneru have won their respective games in Round 2.
GM Nihal Sarin drew his debut game for Novy Bor Chess Club.
The legend, GM Humpy Koneru returned to the event after nearly seven years. She won her game for the defending champion, Cercle d’Echecs Monte-Carlo. Humpy won this event for the same team back in 2013.
Open: Alkaloid – Breidablik Chess Club A-team: 6-0
GM Arjun Erigaisi (2746), GM Aravindh Chithambaram (2677) and GM Abhimanyu Puranik (2622) scored a win each against GM Vignir Vatnar Stefansson (2534), FM Birikir Isak Johannsson (2306) and FM Bardur Om Birkisson (2264) respectively.
Alkaloid – Breidablik Chess Club A-team: 6-0 | Photo: ECU
Elektroprivreda – Mornar Split: 5-1
The reigning World Junior champion, GM Pranav Venkatesh (2677) was held to a well-contested draw by the Croatia no.1, GM FT Ivan Saric (2621). GM Karthikeyan Murali (2647) made a short work of IM Jadranko Plenca (2430) in 26 moves and won his first game of the event. IM Roman Shogdzhiev (2445) held GM Ante Brkic (2469) to a draw.
Novy Bor Chess Club – Chessclub Differdange: 5-1
Both GM Nihal Sarin (2709) and GM Pentala Harikrishna (2648) drew their respective games against FM Tykhon Cherniaiev (2386) and GM Anthony Wirig (2408) respectively. The remaining four players of Novy Bor Chess Club won their respective games. Thus, the team defeated Chessclub Differdange by 5-1.
Novy Bor Chess Club – Chessclub Differdange: 5-1 | Photo: ECU
De Sprenger Echternach – Tuxera Aquaprofit Nagykanizsai: 0-6
GM Christopher Noe’s (2502) exchange sacrifice did not have the desired effect against GM Pranesh M (2677). Pranesh capitalized on his material advantage combining with his opponent’s further mistake to win his second consecutive game. De Sprenger Echternach got whitewashed by Tuxera Aquaprofit Nagykanizsai.
GM Pranesh M won his second game in-a-row | Photo: ECU / Mark Livshitz
Women: Odlar Yurdu – Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo: 1-3
The legend, GM Humpy Koneru (2518) played her first game for Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo in nearly seven years. She got the better of former World Junior Girls champion, IM Govhar Beydullayeva (2392).
GM Humpy Koneru won her return game after nearly seven years for Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo | Photo: ECU / Mark Livshitz
The tournament venue in Budva, Montenegro | Photo: ECU / Mark Livshitz
Replay live stream
Replay Round 2 live commentary by GM Simon Williams, WIM Lena Govedarica, WIM Sandra Djukic and WCM Lula Roberts | Video: European Chess Union
Prizes
The total prize fund is ā¬40000, ā¬26000 in Open and ā¬14000 in Women. The top three prizes in Open are – ā¬8000, ā¬6000 and ā¬4000. For Women, they are – ā¬5500, ā¬3500 and ā¬2000. Individual board prizes on each board ā¬500.
Schedule
Every day round starts at 2 p.m. local time, 5:30 p.m. IST from 17th to 23rd October 2026. The seven-round Swiss system tournament has a time control of 90 minutes for 40 moves plus 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move, starting from move one. The tournament is taking place in Budva, Montenegro.
Replay Round 2 Open games
Replay Round 2 Women games
Links
European Chess Union: Official site, facebook, twitter, youtube and instagram
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