Pranav Anand wins Brasov Grand Prix Classic 2026 with a 2715 performance

By admin August 1, 2026 0 comments

GM Pranav Anand scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win Brasov Grand Prix Classic 2026.

Pranav’s second rating tournament triumph of the year

GM Pranav Anand, the top seed of the event – GM Igor Kovalenko (UKR), Antoni Kozak (POL) and GM Cristobal Henriquez Villagra (CHI) were the four leaders at 6.5/8 each, heading into the final round. Pranav defeated Cristobal and Antoni lost to Igor. Both Pranav and Igor finished with the same score. However, Pranav won the tournament on tie-breaks, Igor was placed second. GM Francesco Sonis (ITA) lost to GM Jaime Santos Latasa (ESP) and the latter finished third.

The total prize fund was €38000. The top three prizes were Lei 25000, 15000 and 1000 along with a trophy each.

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Igor Kovalenko (UKR) 7.5/9, 1st GM Pranav Anand 7.5/9 with Vishy Anand and 3rd GM Jaime Santos Latasa (ESP) 7/9 | Photo: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

4th – 9th place | Photo: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

Pranav – Cristobal, Round 9

Position after 22.Rh8

GM Pranav Anand (2588) got a commanding position in the middlegame after 22.Rh8 against GM Cristobal Henriquez Villagra (CHI, 2603). 22…Bxd5 23.Qxd5 Qc7+ 24.Qxb5+ Qc6 25.Qd3 b5 26.a3 Qc4 27.Nc1 White slowly increased his positional advantage and eventually his opponent went wrong, allowing him to win the game and the tournament.

GM Pranav Anand during one of his games | Photo: Necula George / Romanian Chess Grand Prix

Pranav Anand shared his thoughts on winning the tournament and receiving the prize from Vishy Anand on the former’s instagram:

Delighted to have won the Brasov Open in Romania, part of the Romanian Grand Prix Circuit. Privileged to have received the winning prize from @vishy.mindmaster who attended the closing ceremony.

GM Pranav Anand scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 14.8 Elo rating points

13th overall and top female finisher – WGM Sarayu Velpula (right) 6.5/9 | Photo: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

14th overall and 2nd in Rating 2301-2450 – IM Manish Anto Cristiano F (right) 6/9 | Photo: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

23rd overall, third among female and 1st in Rating 0-2150 – WIM Kalyani Sirin (middle) 6/9 | Photo: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

52nd overall and Women 3rd prize – WGM Mariam Mkrtchyan (ARM) and 10th GM Emin Ohanyan (ARM) 6.5/9 | Photo: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

The tournament hall at Hotel Aro Palace in Brasov, Romania | Photo: Romanian Chess Grand Prix

Replay all available Open A games

A total of 197 players including 12 GMs, 21 IMs, 3 WGMs and 6 WIMs took part from 22 countries across the world. The seven-day nine-round Rating A (>2000) tournament was organized by Romanian Chess Federation at Hotel Aro Palace in Brasov, Romania from 25th to 31st July 2026. The time control of the tournament was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 15 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings in A