Saras Summer Powar wins Late Lt. Cdr. Gopal Sukhtankar Memorial 14th Rapid Rating Open 2026

Saras Summer Powar and Joshua Mark Telles scored 8/9 each at Late Lt. Cdr. Gopal Sukhtankar Memorial 14th Rapid Rating Open 2026. Saras remained undefeated and won the tournament on tie-breaks, Joshua was placed second. Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai, Abhishek Patil and Atharv Katkar scored 7.5/9 each. They were adjudged third, fourth and fifth respectively. The total prize fund was ₹75000. The top three prizes were ₹13000, ₹10000 and ₹7000 along with a trophy each.

Saras’ first rating tournament triumph of his career

Saras Summer Power was the sole leader 7.5/8, heading into the final round. Joshua Mark Telles, Raposo Maxwell, Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai and Balkrishna Pednekar were trailing by a half point at 7/8 each. Saras drew against Aaryavrat to become the champion, the latter finished third. Maxwell lost to Joshua who claimed second place. The entire podium was claimed by players aged 12 years or less.

Champion – Saras Summer Powar 8/9 | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

Runner-up – Joshua Mark Telles 8/9 | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

Second Runner-up – Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai 7.5/9 | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

Top 3 (L to R): 3rd Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai 7.5/9, 1st Saras Summer Power 8/9 and 2nd Joshua Mark Telles 8/9 | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

Saras Summer Power scored 8/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks and increased his Elo rating by 81.6 points

Arbiters’ team | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

The organizing team | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

All prize winners | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

Trophies for the prize winners | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

The tournament hall at Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji, Goa | Photo: Mushtifund Saunstha

A total of 222 players took part from various parts of the country. The two-day nine-round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Mushtifund Parents Teacher Association at Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji, Goa on 21st and 22nd February 2026. The time control of the tournament was 20 minutes + 10 seconds increment.

Final standings

Details