Chola Chess GM Norm RR Round 3: Ethan Vaz scores another win

by Devansh Singh - 05/02/2026

In the third round of the Chola Chess International GM Norm Round Robin Tournament 2026, we saw two decisive results. In an Indian clash, Ethan Vaz played a brilliant game to win against Aronyak Ghosh with the white pieces. In another decisive game, Alisher Suleymenov won his second game of the event against French Grandmaster Girel Joseph. All other games ended in a peace where Harsh Suresh held a draw against Delgado Ramirez Neuris, Akshay Borgaonkar and Ameya Audi played a draw in 32 moves, and Boyer Mahel vs Mayank Chakraborty also ended in a draw. Photos: Himank Ghosh

Ethan Vaz and Alisher Suleymenov are in the lead

After winning their respective games in the previous round of the event, both Ethan and Alisher won their games today, and now they are in a joint lead. Tomorrow, Ethan will be playing against Mayank Chakraborty with the black pieces, while Alisher will be facing Delgado Ramirez Neuris with the black pieces.

Ethan Vaz vs Aronyak Ghosh

White to play, find the best move (Double Attack)

Playing with the white pieces, Ethan Vaz got a pretty good position out of the opening where his king was safe and secure, while Aronyak's king looks a little shaky because there is no pawn on the g file. In the above position, Aronyak played 23.b6, and Ethan found a nice double attack to gain a pawn advantage. Ethan played 24. Qe7 attacks the pawn on a7 and e5, and eventually captures one of the pawns. Do check out the game attached below to see how Ethan converted his advantage

Ethan Vaz vs Aronyak Ghosh (1-0)

In another decisive game of round 3, Alisher Suleymenov won his second game of the event against French Grandmaster Girel Joseph with white pieces (1-0)

Delgado Ramirez Neuris vs Harsh Suresh (0.5-0.5)

Boyer Mahel vs Mayank Chakraborty (0.5-0.5)

Akshay Borgaonkar vs Ameya Audi (0.5-0.5)

Tournament hall during round 3

Fairplay check!

Check out some wonderful photos from the venue by Himank Ghosh: Here

Replay Round 3 Games

Round 3 Results

Bo.	FED	Rtg		White	Result		Black	FED	Rtg	PGN
1	PAR	2511	GM	Delgado Ramirez, Neuris	½ - ½	IM	Harsh, Suresh	IND	2443	PGN
2	KAZ	2500	GM	Suleymenov, Alisher	1 - 0	GM	Girel, Joseph	FRA	2499	PGN
3	FRA	2486	GM	Boyer, Mahel	½ - ½	IM	Mayank, Chakraborty	IND	2473	PGN
4	IND	2518	IM	Vaz, Ethan	1 - 0	IM	Aronyak, Ghosh	IND	2533	PGN
5	IND	2381	IM	Borgaonkar, Akshay	½ - ½	IM	Audi, Ameya	IND	2418	PGN

Details

Rankings after Round 3

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4
1	5	IM	Vaz, Ethan	IND	2518	2,5	0	3,75	2	1
2	3	GM	Suleymenov, Alisher	KAZ	2500	2,5	0	2,75	2	1
3	6	IM	Borgaonkar, Akshay	IND	2381	1,5	1	2,75	0	0
4	10	IM	Harsh, Suresh	IND	2443	1,5	1	2	0	0
5	2	GM	Delgado Ramirez, Neuris	PAR	2511	1,5	3	1,75	0	0
6	7	IM	Audi, Ameya	IND	2418	1,5	3	1,25	1	1
7	8	IM	Aronyak, Ghosh	IND	2533	1,5	5	1,75	1	0
8	1	GM	Girel, Joseph	FRA	2499	1	0	1,5	0	0
9	9	IM	Mayank, Chakraborty	IND	2473	1	0	1	0	0
10	4	GM	Boyer, Mahel	FRA	2486	0,5	0	0,5	0	0

Details

Round 4 Pairings

Bo.	FED	Rtg		White	Result		Black	FED	Rtg	PGN
1	IND	2443	IM	Harsh, Suresh		IM	Audi, Ameya	IND	2418
2	IND	2533	IM	Aronyak, Ghosh		IM	Borgaonkar, Akshay	IND	2381
3	IND	2473	IM	Mayank, Chakraborty		IM	Vaz, Ethan	IND	2518
4	FRA	2499	GM	Girel, Joseph		GM	Boyer, Mahel	FRA	2486
5	PAR	2511	GM	Delgado Ramirez, Neuris		GM	Suleymenov, Alisher	KAZ	2500