Viani Antonio Dcunha prevails at RCC Puzzle Racer – 2nd Grand RCC Chess Festival 2026

IM Viani Antonio Dcunha scored 29/30 to win RCC Puzzle Racer at 2nd Grand RCC Chess Festival 2026. IM Harsh Suresh secured second place 28/30 and IM Mehar Chinna Reddy C H. was third 26.5/30. The total prize fund of the festival was ₹1400001, ₹26000 in the Puzzle event. However, prize fund was increased by ₹1000 as three players finished with the same score for fifth place. The top three prizes were ₹10000, ₹7500 and ₹5000 along with a trophy each.

Viani’s first triumph in the festival

IM Viani Antonio Dcunha went on to win the Rapid Rating tournament at this festival, couple of days after winning the Puzzle Racer. Each participant had to solve 30 positions in 30 minutes. It means players not only had to be accurate but fast too. If you are wondering what were the positions and want to try them yourself, you can do so. Rao’s Chess Corner generously shared all 30 positions which were given to the participants.

Rao’s Chess Corner is run by Karnataka’s top chess couple – IM Sharan Rao and WIM Isha Sharma.

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd IM Harsh Suresh 28/30, 1st IM Viani Antonio Dcunha 29/30 and 3rd IM Mehar Chinna Reddy C H 26.5/30 | Photo: Rao’s Chess Corner

Puzzles

White circle next to the diagram means White to play, similarly black circle next a diagram means Black to play. Some diagrams have questions below it, so read it and solve accordingly.

For more photos, click here.

A total of 280 players including 8 IMs took part from all over the country and two from the USA. The one-day Puzzle Racer event was organized by Rao’s Chess Corner at St. Theresas School Bethany Institution, Bendur in Mangalore, Karnataka on 27th March 2026. The time control was 30 minutes for 30 puzzles.

Final standings

Links

Rao’s Chess Corner: Official site, facebook, instagram and youtube