Vignesh N R clear first at V V Balaram Memorial Rating Open 2026
GM Vignesh N R scored an unbeaten 7/8 to win V V Balaram Memorial Rating Open 2026.
Vignesh’s third overall, second rating tournament triumph of the year
Prashanth J Naik was the sole leader at 6.5/7, heading into the last round. GM Petr Kiriakov, GM Vignesh N R, Ajish Daniel, FM Anilkumar O T and Sidharth Mohan were trailing by a half point at 6/7 each. Vignesh defeated Prashanth to become a clear champion. Ajish drew against Petr, the latter finished second and the former third.
The total prize fund was ₹400000. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 with a trophy each respectively.
Champion – GM Vignesh N R (right) 7/8 | Photo: Eswaran
GM Vignesh N R scored an unbeaten 7/8, finished a half point ahead of the rest and gained 0.6 Elo rating points
Opening ceremony | Photo: Eswaran
Inaugural first move | Photo: Eswaran
Players in action | Photo: Eswaran
Kerala’s latest IM Nithin Babu getting felicitated | Photo: Eswaran
Top boards | Photo: Eswaran
Trophies for the prize winners | Photo: Eswaran
Players, parents and accompanying persons at the closing ceremony | Photo: Eswaran
The tournament hall at Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Payyannur, Kerala | Photo: Eswaran
A total of 303 players including two GMs took part from various parts of the country. The four-day eight-round Rating Open tournament was organized by Rotary Club of Payyannur Midtown and Chess Association Kannur at Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Payyannur, Kerala from 28th to 31st August 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
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