Kaustuv Kundu conquers Jashpur Rating Open 2026

IM Kaustuv Kundu scored an unbeaten 7.5/8 to win All India Rating Open in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh. Yashad Bambeshwar scored 7/8 to secure second place. Omkar Kadav was third with 6.5/8.

Kaustuv’s third consecutive rating tournament triumph of the year

The top seed of the tournament, IM Kaustuv Kundu made a perfect start by winning seven games in-a-row. Five players – CM Vinod Kumar Sharma, Yashad Bambeshwar, Tanishk Kumar, Kamad Mishra and Omkar Kadav were trailing by a full point at 6/7 each. Kaustuv needed just a draw to become a clear champion and that’s exactly what he did against Vinod in the final round. Yashad defeated Tanishk to finish second. Kamad drew against Omkar and the latter claimed third place.

This is Kaustuv’s third consecutive rating tournament victory of the year. First he won 1st KDCA Rapid Rating Open on 16th August. Then he won 6th Atal Talent Hunt Rapid Rating Open in the following week on 23rd August. A little over a week later, Kaustuv won this event in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh. It goes without saying Kaustuv is back in his true form, winning tournaments in various formats all over the country as he is known to do so.

The total prize fund was ₹250000. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each.

Champion – IM Kaustuv Kundu 7.5/8

IM Kaustuv Kundu in action

IM Kaustuv Kundu scored an unbeaten 7.5/8, finished a half point ahead of the rest and increased his Elo rating by 1.7 points

IM Kaustuv Kundu sharing a few words after becoming the champion

Various prize winners

A total of 156 players including an IM took part from all over the country. The four-day eight-round Rating Open tournament was organized by District Administration & Sports Department, Jashpur at Community Hall in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh from 29th August to 1st September 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings