How Did Chennai Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi and Vincent Keymer Start Their Journey?
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Synopsis
As the prestigious Chennai Grandmasters 2025 unfolds, top players like Arjun Erigaisi and Vincent Keymer set the tone with impressive victories. The tournament, which boasts a prize pool of ₹1 Crore, promises thrilling matches and crucial points for FIDE's 2026 Candidates qualification. Tune in as chess enthusiasts witness elite competition unfold!
Key Takeaways
- Arjun Erigaisi and Vincent Keymer secured victories in their opening matches.
- The tournament features two sections: Masters and Challengers.
- It runs until August 15, 2025.
- Viewers can watch live matches online.
- The event has a prize pool of ₹1 Crore.
Chennai, Aug 7 (NationPress) World No. 5 Arjun Erigaisi and German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer kicked off their campaigns with impressive victories at the Chennai Grandmasters 2025, marking the commencement of this esteemed classical chess tournament at the Hyatt Regency on Thursday.
Erigaisi showcased an outstanding performance against American GM Awonder Liang, while Keymer exhibited impeccable skills to triumph over India’s Nihal Sarin. These two wins were the highlights of a day that otherwise saw a series of draws in the Masters section.
Among the eagerly awaited matches was the local showdown between Grandmasters Pranav V and Karthikeyan Murali, which concluded in a hard-fought draw. The top-board encounter between former World No. 6 Anish Giri and American GM Ray Robson also ended in a stalemate, as did the match between India’s Vidit Gujrathi and Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest.
In the Challengers section, the leading Indian GMs asserted their dominance. Diptayan Ghosh, Leon Luke Mendonca, and M. Pranesh achieved victories in the opening round, establishing themselves early in a competitive field. WGM Vaishali Rameshbabu, GM Abhimanyu Puranik, and GM Iniyan Pa were held to draws, while seasoned players Harika Dronavalli, Aryan Chopra, and Harshavardhan GB faced defeats in their opening matches.
Now in its third edition, the Chennai Grandmasters has solidified its reputation as India’s premier classical chess tournament. This ten-day, nine-round event features 20 elite competitors across two sections, Masters and Challengers, with a prize pool of ₹1 Crore and crucial FIDE Circuit points for the 2026 Candidates qualification.
The tournament is set to continue until August 15, with all matches commencing at 3:00 PM IST (final round at 1:00 PM IST). Audiences can watch the matches live on YouTube and other leading chess platforms.
Results:
Masters – Round 1:
Arjun Erigaisi (1) bt Awonder Liang (0)
Vincent Keymer (1) bt Nihal Sarin (0)
Anish Giri (½) drew with Ray Robson (½)
Vidit Gujrathi (½) drew with Jorden van Foreest (½)
Pranav V (½) drew with Karthikeyan Murali (½)
Challengers – Round 1:
Diptayan Ghosh (1) bt Harika Dronavalli (0)
Leon Luke Mendonca (1) bt Harshavardhan GB (0)
M Pranesh (1) bt Aryan Chopra (0)
Adhiban Baskaran (½) drew with Abhimanyu Puranik (½)
Vaishali Rameshbabu (½) drew with Iniyan Pa (½)
Point of View
The Chennai Grandmasters 2025 has shown immense promise as India’s top classical chess tournament. The participating elite players bring not only their skill but a sense of national pride to the event. As we witness the unfolding matches, it is clear that the competition is fierce, and the stakes are high, especially with the FIDE Circuit points on the line.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chennai Grandmasters 2025?
The Chennai Grandmasters 2025 is a prestigious classical chess tournament held in Chennai, featuring top players from around the world.
Who are the notable players participating?
Key players include World No. 5 Arjun Erigaisi and German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer, among others.
How long does the tournament last?
The tournament runs from August 7 to August 15, 2025.
Where can I watch the matches live?
Matches are broadcast live on YouTube and other major chess platforms.
What is the prize pool for the tournament?
The total prize pool for the Chennai Grandmasters 2025 is ₹1 Crore.
