Can Abhijeet Gupta Maintain His Lead in the Delhi Open Chess Tournament?

Synopsis
Abhijeet Gupta's stellar performance in Round 7 of the Delhi International Open Chess Tournament has placed him in the lead. With just three rounds left, the competition is heating up, with several players hot on his heels. Can Gupta maintain this lead and secure victory in this prestigious event?
Key Takeaways
- Abhijeet Gupta leads with 6.5 points.
- The competition is fierce with multiple players at six points.
- Only three rounds remain in the tournament.
- The prize pool totals Rs 1.21 crore.
- Category C features over 1,250 participants.
New Delhi, June 11 (NationPress) The Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 experienced a significant upheaval on Day 6, as GM Abhijeet Gupta claimed sole leadership with 6.5 points after a decisive Round 7 win against GM Mamikon Gharibyan. This victory places the Indian GM in an advantageous position as the tournament approaches its conclusion.
The top-board match between GM S.L. Narayanan and GM Boris Savchenko, both previously tied at the summit, resulted in a well-fought draw, leaving them with six points. They now find themselves in a closely contested chasing pack, accompanied by several others who achieved crucial victories on Wednesday.
Round 7 was also marked by other pivotal results that intensified the competition at the top. GM Mihail Nikitenko triumphed over GM Alexei Fedorov, advancing to 6 points, while GM Vitaly Sivuk secured a robust win against Alekhya Mukhopadhyay, also reaching 6 points. GM Diptayan Ghosh joined the leading cohort after overcoming GM Aleksej Aleksandrov.
In other action, GM Luka Paichadze and GM Manuel Petrosyan played to a draw, maintaining their positions with 5.5 points each, alongside GM Aditya S Samant and IM Semetey Tologontegin, who also ended their match in a stalemate.
Joining the six-point club was IM Neelash Saha, who continued his impressive form by defeating Bivor Adak, and IM Aronyak Ghosh, who prevailed over GM Nguyen Duc Hoa in a thrilling encounter.
With only three rounds left, the standings remain incredibly tight, with eight players now trailing Abhijeet Gupta by just half a point. The competition for the Rs 1.21 crore prize pool is intensifying, and every match in the upcoming rounds could be critical.
Day 6 also marked the commencement of Category C, which attracted an impressive 1,250 participants, further solidifying the tournament's status as India's most inclusive and expansive chess event.
With competitors from various age groups and backgrounds, the Category C section adds another dynamic facet to the Delhi GM Open’s legacy of fostering talent across all levels.