Nitish Belurkar dominates 3rd Late Smt. Sunandabai Dayanand Bandolkar Memorial Blitz Rating Open 2026

IM Nitish Belurkar scored an unbeaten 9.5/10 to win Late Smt. Sundandabai Dayanand Bandolkar Memorial Blitz Rating Open 2026. He finished a half ahead of the competition. Mandar Pradip Lad scored sole 9/10 to secure second place. IM Rahul Sangma edged past four other players on tie-breaks to finish third, scoring 8/10. The total prize fund was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹12000, ₹10000 and ₹8000 along with a trophy each. This is Nitish’s first tournament triumph of the year.

Nitish’s first tournament triumph of the year

Champion – IM Nitish Belurkar 9.5/10 | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal / Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association

Runner-up – Mandar Pradip Lad 9/10 | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal / Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association

Second Runner-up – IM Rahul Sangma 8/10 | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal / Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association

Top 3 (L to R): 3rd IM Rahul Sangma 8/10, 1st IM Nitish Belurkar 9.5/10 and 2nd Mandar Pradip Lad 9/10 | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal / Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association

IM Nitish Belurkar scored an unbeaten 9.5/10, finished a half point a half point ahead of others and gained 12.6 Elo rating points

Group photo of various prize winners | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal / Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association

Arbiters team | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal / Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association

A total of 202 players including a GM and two IMs took part from all over the country. The two-day ten-round Blitz Rating Open tournament was organized by Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association at Institute Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji, Goa on 30th and 31st January 2026. The time control of the tournament was 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment.

Final standings

Details