National Sub-Junior Under-15 2026: Madhesh Kumar and Shaunak Badole emerge coleaders

By admin October 18, 2026 0 comments

FM Madhesh Kumar S and Shaunak Badole defeated their leader counterparts to stay in the lead at 51st National Sub-Junior Open 2026. WIM Prishita Gupta stumbled on her way to victory against WCM Nihira Koul.

Girls: Nihira Koul misses a draw against Prishita Gupta

Shaunak Badole (MAH) and FM Madhesh Kumar S (PUD) are the coleaders in the Open at 7.5/8 each. They are closely followed by Niladri Banerjee (WB) and FM Aarit Kapil (DEL) at 7/8 each.

WIM Prishita Gupta (DEL) maintained her sole lead in the Girls event with 7.5/8. She missed a win earlier and allowed WCM Nihira Koul (MAH) to salvage a draw, only for the latter to falter in the final moments of the endgame. Prishita is pursued by WFM Maitreyi Mondal (WB) at 7/8. They will inevitably clash against each other in Round 9.

Christy – Madhesh

Position after 21.Qe2??

Christy George (KER, 2069) blundered 21.Qe2?? His opponent, Madhesh Kumar S (PUD, 2327) had no trouble seizing his opportunity 21…Bxh2+! 22.Nxh2 Qxe2 23.Rxf8+ Kxf8 24.Bxe2 Rxc2 25.Re1 Rxa2 and Black went on to convert his advantage into a win comfortably.

Christy George’s (KER) mistake cost him the game against Madhesh Kumar S (PUD) | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Parambrata – Shaunak

Position after 26.Re3??

In a difficult position, Parambrata Sarkar (WB, 2192) erred 26.Re3?? Shaunak Badole (MAH, 2100) had no trouble finding Bxd5-+ alternatively 26…b4 was winning too.. 27.Qxd5 b4 White’s weak back rank does not allow him to capture the b4-pawn. 28.Rxe4 Rxe4 29.Qxe4 bxa3 30.Qxd3 a2 31.Rd1 Ra7 32.Qf1 Qxb2 33.Qe1 Ra8 34.Ra1 Rb8 35.g3 Qxa1 and it’s over.

Parambrata Sarkar (WB) had difficulty handling a complex position against Shaunak Badole (MAH) | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Mridav – Advik

Position after 31…Qc7?

Find out the winning plan for White after 31…Qc7? which Mridav M (TN, 2128) could not find against Advik Amit Agrawal (MAH, 2351) and the game meandered into a draw.

Ishaan Bhansali (KAR) was unable to seize his opportunity, allowing his opponent, FM Aarit Kapil to turn things around and win the game | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Niladri Banerjee (WB) – Advaith Asokumar (KER): 1-0 | Photo: IA R Anantharam

CM Saharsha Challa (TEL) – Pranav Sai Ram R S (TN): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Prishita – Nihira

Position after 59.Bd7

Black can still draw this game with correct play. Unfortunately for WCM Nihira Koul (MAH, 2031), she was unable to find it and played 59…Kxh3?? WIM Prishita Gupta (DEL, 2129) seized her opportunity 60.Bxf5!+- h5 and it’s over as 61.gxh5 wins the game.