Nitish Belurkar dominates 5th Durga Motors Rapid Rating Open 2026
IM Nitish Belurkar scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 5th Durga Motors Rapid Rating Open 2026. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. CM Niraj Saripalli and IM Ritviz Parab scored 8/9 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was ₹250000. The top three prizes were ₹36000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each.
Nitish’s second rating tournament triumph of the year
The top seed of the tournament, IM Nitish Belurkar made a brilliant start by winning eight games in-a-row. He was a full point ahead of the rest. Five players – Anar Shayakberov, Joshua Mark Telles, CM Niraj Saripalli, Mandar Pradip Lad and IM Ritviz Parab were trailing at 7/8 each. Nitish needed a draw in the final round to become a clear champion, that’s what he did against Mandar. Anar lost to Niraj and the latter secured second place. Ritviz defeated Joshua to finish third. This was Nitish’s second rating tournament triumph of the year in a little over a fortnight.
Top five (L to R): 5th Atharv Katkar 7.5/9, 3rd IM Ritviz Parab 8/9, 1st IM Nitish Belurkar 8.5/9, 2nd CM Niraj Saripalli 8/9 and 4th Mandar Pradip Lad 8/9 | Photo: AizGoanews.in
IM Nitish Belurkar scored an unbeaten 8.5/9, finished a half point ahead of the competition and gained 11.2 Elo rating points
A total of 256 players including two IMs took part from various parts of the country. The two-day nine-round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Rotary Charitable Trust of Porvorim at Dr. K B Hedgewar High School, Cujira in Bambolim, Goa on 14th and 15th February 2026. The time control of the tournament was 20 minutes + 5 seconds increment.
Final standings
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