Can Arjun Erigaisi Catch Up to Vincent Keymer in Chennai Grandmasters 2025?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling Round 6 at the Chennai Grandmasters 2025, Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi fought valiantly to draw with tournament leader Vincent Keymer. Meanwhile, Awonder Liang's victory over Pranav V added fresh excitement to the title race. Will Arjun close the gap in the upcoming rounds? Stay tuned for more updates!
Key Takeaways
- Arjun Erigaisi drew with Vincent Keymer, keeping the title race very much alive.
- Awonder Liang's win over Pranav V adds excitement to the standings.
- The tournament showcases India's elite chess talent in a prestigious setting.
- With a total prize pool of ₹1 crore, stakes are high for all participants.
- The competition format includes both Masters and Challengers sections.
Chennai, Aug 12 (NationPress) Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi managed to secure a hard-fought draw against tournament leader Vincent Keymer in the pivotal Round 6 of the Chennai Grandmasters 2025 held at Hyatt Regency Chennai on Tuesday. This result enabled the German GM to retain his one-point advantage at the top of the Masters standings after six rounds, while Arjun closely trails behind.
In another significant match, 22-year-old GM Awonder Liang from the United States triumphed over 18-year-old GM Pranav V in a much-anticipated showdown of young talents, leveling his score with Arjun and intensifying the competition for the title.
Now in its third year, the Chennai Grandmasters 2025 is recognized as India’s premier classical chess tournament, featuring two elite 10-player round-robin sections—Masters and Challengers—across nine rounds over ten days. With a total prize pool of ₹1 crore, the winner of the Masters section will take home ₹25 lakh, while the Challengers champion will earn ₹7 lakh, along with a coveted place in the 2026 Masters. The event also awards FIDE Circuit points, with the Masters champion gaining 24.5 points towards qualification for the 2026 Candidates.
Remaining unbeaten thus far, Keymer commenced with the Queen’s Pawn, swiftly transposing into a Queen’s Gambit by the second move, while Arjun replied with the Slav Defense. Although the German player initially seized the momentum, Arjun successfully fought back, preventing Keymer from establishing a runaway lead. In other Masters matches, Vidit Gujrathi and Anish Giri settled for a draw, while Jorden van Foreest recovered with a victory as Black against Nihal Sarin. Karthikeyan Murali also managed to draw against Ray Robson.
In the Challengers section, M Pranesh ended leader Abhimanyu Puranik’s unbeaten streak, transforming what appeared to be a solo lead into a competitive three-way race for the title. This win propelled Pranesh to the top alongside Abhimanyu, who was joined by Leon Luke Mendonca after his victory over Aryan Chopra.
In the all-women Grandmaster match, GM Harika Dronavalli emerged victorious against GM Vaishali Rameshbabu, while Adhiban Baskaran outperformed Diptayan Ghosh to rise in the rankings. Pa Iniyan and Harshavardhan GB concluded their match with a draw.
Results & standings:
Masters – Round 6:
Arjun Erigaisi (½) drew with Vincent Keymer (½)
Awonder Liang (1) bt Pranav V (0)
Vidit Gujrathi (½) drew with Anish Giri (½)
Jorden van Foreest (1) bt Nihal Sarin (0)
Karthikeyan Murali (½) drew with Ray Robson (½)
Masters – Round 6 standings:
1. Vincent Keymer – 4.5
=2 Arjun Erigaisi – 3.5
=2 Awonder Liang – 3.5
=4 Karthikeyan Murali – 3.0
=4 Anish Giri – 3.0
=4 Vidit Gujrathi – 3.0
=4 Jorden van Foreest – 3.0
8. Ray Robson – 2.5
=9 Nihal Sarin – 2.0
=9 Pranav V – 2.0
Challengers – Round 6:
M Pranesh (1) bt Abhimanyu Puranik (0)
Leon Luke Mendonca (1) bt Aryan Chopra (0)
Harika Dronavalli (1) bt Vaishali Rameshbabu (0)
Adhiban Baskaran (1) bt Diptayan Ghosh (0)
Pa Iniyan (½) drew with Harshavardhan GB (½)
Challengers – Standings after Round 6:
=1 M Pranesh – 4.5
=1 Abhimanyu Puranik – 4.5
=1 Leon Luke Mendonca – 4.5
=4 Adhiban Baskaran – 3.5
=4 Diptayan Ghosh – 3.5
=4 Pa Iniyan – 3.5
7. Harshavardhan GB – 2.0
=8 Aryan Chopra – 1.5
=8 Harika Dronavalli – 1.5
10. Vaishali Rameshbabu – 1.0.
Point of View
The Chennai Grandmasters 2025 continues to showcase India's prowess in the world of chess. With elite players competing at the highest level, the tournament not only highlights individual talent but also elevates India's status in the global chess arena. As the competition intensifies, we remain committed to bringing you comprehensive coverage of this prestigious event.
NationPress
05/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the match between Arjun Erigaisi and Vincent Keymer?
The match ended in a draw.
What is at stake in the Chennai Grandmasters 2025?
The tournament features a ₹1 crore prize pool, with significant rewards for the winners of both Masters and Challengers sections.
How many rounds are there in the Chennai Grandmasters 2025?
The tournament consists of nine rounds played over ten days.
What are the standings after Round 6?
Vincent Keymer leads with 4.5 points, followed closely by Arjun Erigaisi and Awonder Liang with 3.5 points each.
Where is the tournament being held?
The Chennai Grandmasters 2025 is being held at Hyatt Regency Chennai.
