19 year-old Rohit S becomes India's latest IM at First Saturday IM Tournament in Budapest
Rohit S is India's latest International Master!! Rohit recently crossed the 2400 Elo mark in the live ratings at the First Saturday IM tournament in Budapest, February 2026, completing the requirements for the International Master title. He scored an unbeaten 7/9 points in the event to secure first place and gained 25.6 Elo points to cross the 2400 mark. This result came immediately after a strong performance at the Six Days Budapest GM-B tournament earlier, where he gained 33.2 Elo rating points. His first IM norm came at the Prague International Chess Festival 2024, followed by his second at the Serbia Open 2024. He completed his 3rd norm at the 18th Arad Open GP Classic 2025 in Romania. Photos: IO Nagy Laszlo/First Saturday Chess Tournament
The Journey and the Support
Currently 19 years old, Rohit is pursuing a B.Tech in Information Technology at SSN College of Engineering, Chennai. SSN College has provided huge support in balancing academics and competitive chess. Rohit began his chess training at T. Nagar Chess Academy under AL Kasi sir and team, where he progressed to a rating of 2296 by 2020.
Currently, he has been attending Chess Thulir camps under GM Shyam Sundar, which have contributed significantly to his recent progress. Rohit especially credits his elder brother, GM Arjun Kalyan, for being a constant source of guidance, preparation help, and motivation throughout his chess journey. He is also deeply thankful to his parents, family, coaches, friends, and well-wishers whose support has played an important role in this achievement.
Interview with IM Rohit S
Devansh Singh (DS): How do you feel this achievement reflects your journey in chess?
Rohit S (RS): It’s been quite a long journey for me. I started playing chess when I was around five, mostly following in the footsteps of my brother, GM Arjun Kalyan, training at T. Nagar Chess Academy. I’ve always tried to balance both studies and chess, which hasn’t always been easy but has definitely shaped my approach to things. I’m really happy to have finally achieved the IM title, especially after coming quite close over the last few years. It definitely motivates me to keep working and aim for the GM title!
(DS): How do you plan to celebrate this achievement?
(RS): I will probably spend some time with friends and family but it's time to catch up on studies for now :)
(DS): Who or what has been the biggest influence in your chess career?
(RS): There have been multiple people who have influenced me. I am grateful to have been coached by so many great coaches. Lately, GM Shyam Sundar's camps have had a great influence on me, helping me improve my calculation and decision making. My brother has obviously been a big influence throughout my life, not just chess wise! Words can't describe the respect and love that I have for my brother! My parents have always supported me throughout my career, never doubting me!
Check out some Interesting and Instructive games with Analysis by Rohit S
Rohit S vs Kovalev Andrei at SixDays Budapest 2026
Rohit S vs Yash Bharadia at Serbia Open 2024
Rohit S vs Adharsh K at Romania Grand Prix 2025
Author's Note
I got a chance to play against Rohit in 19th Delhi GM Open 2022, we got paired up in the last round, I remember Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh D both took part in the event and finished on 1st and 2nd places respectively. I started the tournament with 3 losses then I scored 5/6 in next 6 rounds and in the last round, I faced Rohit. As usual I tried playing some attacking chess and game was pretty even till move 25 when I blundered. It was overall a bad event for me but even worse for Rohit as he lost 70 rating points there.
Check out the game between me and Rohit down below
Devansh Singh vs Rohit S, Delhi GM Open 2022
First Saturday IM Budapest
Rohit started the event in 2nd place with a rating of 2352. He started the event in style by winning, starting 4 games in a row. After that, he drew in the next 3 games and won his penultimate round, drawing in the last game against FM Judicael Meillon, which helped him win the event.
The event was organized by Mr. Nagy Laszlo in Budapest, Hungary, at Classic Hotel, 1117 Budapest, Zólyomi Str 6, from 7th to 14th February.
Watch this complex battle between FM Rohit S and FM Ayaan Garg
Replay Rohit's Games
Final Ranking after 9 Rounds
Rk. | SNo |
| Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | FM | IND | 2352 | 7 | 0 | 27,75 | ||
2 | 1 | GM | HUN | 2282 | 6 | 0 | 25,5 | ||
3 | 9 | IM | HUN | 2273 | 5,5 | 0 | 23,25 | ||
4 | 2 | GM | BRA | 2374 | 5 | 0 | 21,5 | ||
5 | 4 | FM | FRA | 2323 | 4 | 0 | 17,5 | ||
6 | 7 | FM | IND | 2182 | 4 | 0 | 15,5 | ||
8 | IND | 2134 | 4 | 0 | 15,5 | ||||
8 | 10 | CM | HUN | 2154 | 4 | 0 | 14,25 | ||
9 | 5 | FRA | 2257 | 3 | 0 | 11,5 | |||
10 | 3 | FM | BRA | 2274 | 2,5 | 0 | 12,25 |
First Saturday GM Budapest
Adelard Bai of Taiwan secured first place in the First Saturday GM event. He scored 6/9 points to secure first place. In a decisive game, he lost against GM Andrei Kovalev and missed his GM norm by 1 point.
IM Kushagra Mohan and IM Aradhya Garg secured second and third place, respectively, by scoring 5.5/9 points.
Final Ranking after 9 Rounds
Rk. | SNo |
| Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 | IM | TPE | 2423 | 6 | 0 | 24,25 | ||
2 | 4 | IM | IND | 2431 | 5,5 | 1 | 25,25 | ||
3 | 8 | IM | IND | 2408 | 5,5 | 2 | 21 | ||
4 | 9 | IM | SLO | 2489 | 5 | 1 | 23,25 | ||
5 | 6 | GM | BLR | 2386 | 5 | 2 | 23 | ||
6 | 7 | IM | IND | 2434 | 5 | 3 | 20 | ||
7 | 10 | GM | HUN | 2421 | 4 | 0 | 16 | ||
8 | 2 | FM | JPN | 2350 | 3,5 | 0 | 16,25 | ||
9 | 5 | USA | 2385 | 3 | 0 | 13,5 | |||
10 | 1 | GM | GRE | 2403 | 2,5 | 0 | 10 |
Meet Your Organizer: Mr. ‘First Saturday’ – Laszlo Nagy
Laszlo is the organizer of the First Saturday Chess tournament in Budapest, and the tournament is currently in its 35th year. You will really have to search for a top professional chess player who hasn’t played in this tournament. Laszlo is not only an organizer but a person who is passionate about the game and has played a significant role in the lives of some of the top players in the world.
Hungarian GM IM Norm Chess tournaments List
FIRST SATURDAY GM IM U-2250
4th-11th April
6th-13th June
4th-11th July
1st-8th August
3rd-10th October
5th-12th December
Organizer: IO Nagy Laszlo
Website: www.firstsaturday.hu
Contact: WhatsApp: +36-30-230-1914, Budapest,
BUDAPEST SPRING Festival Open,
27th February - 7th March
Organizer: WGM Csonkics
Contact: WhatsApp: +36-30-211-2499, csonkicstunde1@gmail.com
VEZÉRKÉPZŐ, GM-IM U-2250
12th-17th July
20th-25th July
Organizer: GM Czebe Attila
Website: www.vezerkepzo.com
Contact: Whatsapp: +36307152053
GM IM Open tmt Ptuj, Slovenia
13th-21st April
24th April-2 May
Organizer: IM Polajzer, WhatsApp:+386-51-660-442
Contact: black.white@siol.com
SixDays Budapest
18th-23rd March
14th-19th May
Organizer: Miklós Halák: +36-20-329-8335
Website: www.sixdayschess.hu
ZALAKAROS OPEN
23rd-31st May
Organizer: Mr. Horvath Sandor, WhatsApp:+36-30-857-37-25
ONEWEEKCHESS
11th-17th March
8th-14th August
12th-17th October
Organizer: Mr. IO Korpics
Website: https://oneweekchess.com/
WhatsApp: +36309510063
Rigo memorial: 20-26 June, clearlogicltd@gmail.com,
A huge thanks to Mr. Nagy Laszlo, FIDE International chess organizer, for providing these details.
