Pranav Venkatesh dominates KazChess Masters Nauryz 2026 with a 2795 performance

GM Pranav Venkatesh scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win KazChess Masters Nauryz 2026. He finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the rest. GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) scored 6/9 to secure second place. GM Benjamin Gledura (HUN) and GM Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara (MEX) scored 5/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund was 25000000 Tenge. The top three prizes were 7000000, 5000000 and 3500000 Tenge each. Pranav won ≈₹1374800.

Pranav crosses 2650 and becomes World #51 in live ratings

The reigning World Junior 2025 champion, Pranav Venkatesh delivered a stellar performance which helped him to cross 2650 and become World no.51 in the live ratings. After Aravindh Chithambaram and Nihal Sarin, Pranav seems to be well on his way towards 2700.

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) 6/9, 1st GM Pranav Venkatesh 7.5/9 and 3rd GM Benjamin Gledura (HUN) 5/9 | Photo: Kazakhstan Chess Federation

Pranav – Sarana, Round 1

Position after 22.f6

GM Pranav Venkatesh (2641) completely crippled GM Alexey Sarana’s (SRB, 2683) position after 22.f6. It would not be an overstatement to say White is completely winning positionally.

Pranav Venkatesh en route his win against Alexey Sarana (SRB) | Photo: Kazakhstan Chess Federation

Inaugural first move by WGM Gulmira Dauletova, Executive Director, Kazakhstan Chess Federation and GM Darmen Sadvakassov, First Vice-President, Kazakhstan Chess Federation | Photo: Kazakhstan Chess Federation

Pranav pondering during one of his games | Photo: Kazakhstan Chess Federation

Pranav Venkatesh scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, finished 1.5 points ahead of the rest and gained 16.8 Elo rating points

GM Pranav Venkatesh is now World no.51 with a live rating 2656.5 | Source: 2700chess.com

Replay all Masters games

Final standings

Details