Aronyak Ghosh crowned as 2026 National Rapid Champion
Aronyak Ghosh of RSPB scored an unbeaten 9.5/11 points to win the National Rapid Chess Championship 2025-26 with a clear half-point lead. Murali Karthikeyan and Hari Madhavan NB of Tamil Nadu scored 9/11 points to finish in second and third place according to tiebreaks. The National Rapid Championship was organised by the All Jharkhand Chess Association at Sarala Birla University, Mahilong, Ranchi. The total prize fund of the Rapid Championship was ₹4,00,000, with the top 3 prizes of ₹75,000, ₹60,000, and ₹50,000. The National Blitz Championship will take place today, on 13th March at 9 am. Photos: Omkar/ Sarala Birla University
Aronyak's First National Rapid Title
Aronyak maintained his lead going into the last round of the National Rapid Championship. He was on 9/10 points and was paired against Hari Madhavan NB. A draw was enough for him to win the title, and he drew his game to win the title irrespective of the results on the lower boards. On board 2, Murali Karthikeyan scored a big win over Diptayan Ghosh to secure the 3rd place.
Sriram Jha vs Aronyak Ghosh (0.5-0.5)
The championship attracted around 450 participants, including 12 Grandmasters, 24 International Masters, 1 WIM, 5 FMs, 1 DFM, and 6 CMs, making it a highly competitive and remarkable event. Notably, around 150 players from Jharkhand also participated, showcasing the growing passion for chess in the state. With a total prize pool of ₹6 lakh, the event also drew a large gathering of chess enthusiasts and spectators.
Replay Available games
Results of the last round
Bo. |
| White | Rtg | Club/City | Pts. | Result | Pts. | Black | Rtg | Club/City |
| PGN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | IM | 2312 | Tamil Nadu | 8½ | ½ - ½ | 9 | IM | 2453 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | |||||
2 | GM | 2522 | Tamil Nadu | 8 | 1 - 0 | 8 | GM | 2474 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | |||||
3 | GM | 2456 | Tamil Nadu | 8 | 0 - 1 | 7½ | GM | 2514 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | |||||
4 | IM | 2277 | Andhra Pradesh | 7½ | ½ - ½ | 8 | GM | 2393 | Tamil Nadu | |||||
5 | FM | 2050 | Bihar | 7½ | 1 - 0 | 8 | FM | 2081 | Tamil Nadu | |||||
6 | GM | 2539 | Maharashtra | 7½ | 1 - 0 | 7½ | IM | 2283 | Karnataka | |||||
7 | GM | 2388 | Tamil Nadu | 7 | 1 - 0 | 7 | IM | 2214 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | |||||
8 | IM | 2380 | Andhra Pradesh | 7 | ½ - ½ | 7 | IM | 2182 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | |||||
9 | GM | 2362 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | 7 | 0 - 1 | 7 | WIM | 1984 | Kerala | |||||
10 | IM | 2138 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | 7 | 0 - 1 | 7 | IM | 2319 | Delhi |
Final Ranking after 11 Rounds
Rk. | SNo |
| Name | sex | FED | Rtg | Club/City | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | TB4 | TB5 | TB6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | IM | IND | 2453 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | 9,5 | 78 | 83 | 70,5 | 0 | 8 | 4 | |||
2 | 2 | GM | IND | 2522 | Tamil Nadu | 9 | 76,5 | 83 | 65 | 0 | 8 | 4 | |||
3 | 14 | IM | IND | 2312 | Tamil Nadu | 9 | 73 | 78 | 63,5 | 0 | 8 | 4 | |||
4 | 3 | GM | IND | 2514 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | 8,5 | 77,5 | 83,5 | 61,75 | 0 | 7 | 4 | |||
5 | 7 | GM | IND | 2393 | Tamil Nadu | 8,5 | 74 | 79 | 58,75 | 0 | 7 | 2 | |||
6 | 1 | GM | IND | 2539 | Maharashtra | 8,5 | 73,5 | 78,5 | 57,75 | 0 | 7 | 2 | |||
7 | 50 | FM | IND | 2050 | Bihar | 8,5 | 71,5 | 77 | 57,5 | 0 | 8 | 3 | |||
8 | 4 | GM | IND | 2474 | Railway Sports Promotion Board | 8 | 77 | 82,5 | 57,25 | 0 | 6 | 2 | |||
9 | 5 | GM | IND | 2456 | Tamil Nadu | 8 | 74,5 | 80,5 | 55,75 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |||
10 | 8 | GM | IND | 2388 | Tamil Nadu | 8 | 74,5 | 80 | 55,75 | 0 | 7 | 4 | |||
11 | 23 | GM | IND | 2243 | Life Insurance Of Corporation | 8 | 72,5 | 78 | 53 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |||
12 | 43 | FM | IND | 2081 | Tamil Nadu | 8 | 72,5 | 77,5 | 52,5 | 0 | 8 | 3 | |||
13 | 20 | IM | IND | 2277 | Andhra Pradesh | 8 | 71 | 76 | 52,75 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |||
14 | 39 | IM | IND | 2137 | Telangana | 8 | 69,5 | 74 | 50,25 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |||
15 | 13 | IM | IND | 2319 | Delhi | 8 | 69 | 74 | 52,5 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
