Arun Kataria amazing at 1st Katni Rapid Rating Open 2025

FM Arun Kataria scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 1st Katni Rapid Rating Open 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. Vaibhav Nema scored sole 8/9 to secure second place. He also remained undefeated. Kamad Mishra and CM Prakhar Bajaj scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed third and fourth respectively according to tie-breaks. Arun's sole draw was against Prakhar in the fifth round. The total prize fund was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each. The two-day nine round rapid rating tournament was organized by Katni District Chess Association at Hotel Mangalam Manor in Katni, Madhya Pradesh on 7th and 8th April 2025. This is Arun's second rating tournament triumph in the same week, after he won another rapid rating open two days before this. Photo: IA Kanchana Choudhary