Goutham Krishna H dominates 35th RCC STS Blitz Rating Open 2026
IM Goutham Krishna H scored an unbeaten 10.5/11 to win 35th RCC STS International Rated Blitz Cup 2026. As many as 13 players scored 9/11 each. Out of them, IM C R G Krishna and IM Nitin S were placed second and third respectively among tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the festival was ₹1400001, ₹100000 in the Blitz event. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹10000 and ₹7000 along with a trophy each.
Goutham’s first rating tournament triumph of the year
IM Goutham Krishna H was the sole leader 9.5/10, heading into the final round. IM Ratnakaran K was the sole player trailing him by a half point at 9/10. Ratnakaran lost to his statemate Goutham and the latter became a clear champion. IM C R G Krishna defeated Ebin Benny to secure second place. IM Nitin S drew against IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh to finish third. Goutham also went to win Freestyle tournament after this. That will be mentioned in a separate report. Rao’s Chess Corner is run by Karnataka’s top chess couple – IM Sharan Rao and WIM Isha Sharma.
Champion – IM Goutham Krishna H 10.5/11 | Photo: Rao’s Chess Corner
Runner-up – IM C R G Krishna 9/11 | Photo: Rao’s Chess Corner
Second Runner-up – IM Nitin S 9/11 | Photo: Rao’s Chess Corner
Top 3 (L to R): 3rd IM Nitin S 9/11, 1st IM Goutham Krishna H 10.5/11 and 2nd IM C R G Krishna 9/11 | Photo: Rao’s Chess Corner
IM Goutham Krishna H in action at the festival | Photo: Rao’s Chess Corner
IM Goutham Krishna H scored an unbeaten 10.5/11, finished 1.5 points ahead of others and added 17.9 Elo rating points
For more photos, click here.
A total of 536 players including a GM and 16 IMs took part from all over the country and one from the USA. The one-day eleven-round Blitz Rating Open tournament was organized by Rao’s Chess Corner at St. Theresas School Bethany Institution, Bendur in Mangalore, Karnataka on 29th March 2026. The time control of the tournament was 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.
Final standings
Links
Rao’s Chess Corner: Official site, facebook, instagram and youtube
Leave a Reply