Harsha Bharathakoti perfect at Doug Eckert Classic 2026
GM Harsha Bharathakoti scored a perfect 5/5 to win Doug Eckert Classic Premiere 2026. He finished a full point ahead of the rest. IM Irene Sukandar (INA) scored 4/5 to finish second. Oliver Rana (USA) claimed third place scoring 3.5/5. The total prize fund was US$ 5000. The top three prizes were US$ 1000, 700 and 550 each.
Harsha’s first individual tournament triumph of the year
Champion – Harsha Bharathakoti 5/5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Runner-up – IM Irene Sukandar (INA) 4/5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
4th IM Eric Rosen (CAN) 3.5/5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Irene – Harsha, Round 3
Position after 49…Ke6
IM Irene Sukandar (INA, 2330) needed to play the difficult rook and minor piece game precisely to stay in the game. 50.Ng3 Rg1 51.Kh3 f5 52.Ne2 Re1 53.Rd2 Be3 GM Harsha Bharathakoti (2538) got a firm grip of the position. Soon White’s knight was forced away from the action, only to fall.
Players in action | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
The tournament hall at Saint Louis Chess Club in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club
Replay all available Premier section games
A total of 23 players including a GM and two IMs took part from various parts of USA, one from India and Indonesia each in the Premiere section. The three-day five-round non-Rating tournament was organized by and at Saint Louis Chess Club in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA from 20th to 22nd February 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
Final standings in Premiere
Links
Saint Louis Chess Club: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram and youtube
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