Soham Bhattacharyya wins Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 Rapid Rating Open

Soham's second Tata Steel Festival triumph and fifth podium finish since 2022

For the second consecutive edition, the Rapid rating tournament took place at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium. The registration capacity was reached within 12 hours as at that time Vishy Anand and D Gukesh's participation in the main event was already announced. Total 258 players registered, out of them 254 turned up from over eight different states across the country. Soham Bhattacharyya was the sole leader 7.5/8, heading into the final round. Anustoop Biswas and WIM Arpita Mukherjee were trailing by a half point at 7/8 each. Arpita drew against Soham and the latter became the champion. Anustoop defeated Soumalya Mondol to secure second place. The top seed, GM Mitrabha Guha won against 9-year-old Aayan Gupta who had a fantastic event. Arpita became the sole female to make a top ten finish. She scored 7.5/9 to be placed fifth. This is Soham's second triumph in the Tata Steel Festival event and fifth podium finish.

Since 2022, one of the perks of winning the tournament is, receiving the prize on the final day of the main event - Tata Steel Chess India 2026 Rapid and Blitz. Receiving the prize in front of star-studded world-class players is an added bonus apart from the usual cash and trophy prize. No wonder, every year, the festival events reach its capacity in no time once it is announced.

For more photos, click here.

Video Gallery

A total of 254 players including a GM, an IM and two WIMs took part from various parts of the country. The two-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal on 7th and 8th January 2026. The time control of the event was 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.

Final standings

Details