Who Leads in the Mumbai International Chess Tournament?
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Synopsis
Indian Grandmasters Lalit Babu and Neelotpal Das have made headlines after scoring significant victories in the Mumbai International Chess Tournament. Their stellar performances have put them in a three-way tie for the lead, alongside GM Gharibyan Mamikon. This gripping tournament, held at the World Trade Centre, showcases the intense competition among top chess players.
Key Takeaways
- Lalit Babu and Neelotpal Das lead the tournament with Gharibyan Mamikon.
- Significant upsets have reshaped the leaderboard.
- The Junior Section showcases emerging talent.
- Competitors exhibit high levels of strategy and skill.
- The event highlights India's rising chess profile.
Mumbai, June 24 (NationPress) Indian Grandmasters Lalit Babu and Neelotpal Das achieved remarkable victories in the eighth round of the Mumbai International Grandmaster Chess Tournament held at the World Trade Centre on Tuesday, propelling them into a tie for the top position alongside GM Gharibyan Mamikon.
Lalit Babu managed to defeat GM Alexei Fedorov with white pieces in just 39 moves, while Neelotpal overcame IM Arsen Davtyan. In a significant upset, Gharibyan Mamikon triumphed over tournament leader GM Aleksej Aleksandrov with the black pieces, securing his place among the leaders, each now holding 7 points from 8 matches.
A total of nine players — including GM Aleksandrov, GM Levan Pantsulaia, GM Manuel Petrosyan, GM Deepan Chakkravarthy, and GM Nguyen Duc Hoa — follow closely with 6.5/8.
In the Junior Section, FM Aansh Nerurkar made a strong comeback with a decisive win against CM Madhvendra Sharma, while CM Madhesh Kumar was held to a draw by Advik Agrawal. Both Aansh and Madhesh now share the lead with 7/8 points. Close behind are CM Vyom Malhotra, Advik Agrawal, and Shaunak Badole, all tied with 6.5/8.
Previously on Monday, the tournament saw a change in dynamics during the 7th round as veteran GM Aleksej Aleksandrov from Belarus climbed to the top of the leaderboard after a convincing win at the World Trade Centre.
In the junior section, Candidate Master Madhesh Kumar from Pondicherry claimed sole leadership by defeating Ramanu Mishra to reach 6.5 out of 7. His steady performance positions him as a strong contender for the title, especially as tournament favorite FM Aansh Nerurkar had to settle for a draw against Shaunak Badole.
In the Grandmaster section's seventh round, the top-board matchup between Armenian players GM Manuel Petrosyan and IM Arsen Davtyan ended in a swift 16-move draw, with both players adopting a defensive strategy. A similar result occurred on board 2, where GM Mamikon Gharibyan and Indian GM Lalit Babu also agreed to a 36-move draw in the Ruy Lopez.
Point of View
It is essential to highlight the remarkable skill exhibited by Indian players in the Mumbai International Chess Tournament. The event not only showcases their talent but also emphasizes India's growing prominence in the global chess arena. Such competitions foster national pride and encourage the next generation of chess enthusiasts.
NationPress
24/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the current leaders in the Mumbai International Chess Tournament?
The current leaders are Indian Grandmasters Lalit Babu and Neelotpal Das, along with GM Gharibyan Mamikon, each having 7 points from 8 matches.
How did Lalit Babu perform in the eighth round?
Lalit Babu achieved a notable victory against GM Alexei Fedorov in 39 moves.
What is the standing of the Junior Section?
In the Junior Section, FM Aansh Nerurkar and CM Madhesh Kumar lead jointly with 7/8 points.
Where is the tournament being held?
The tournament is being held at the World Trade Centre in Mumbai.
What notable upset occurred during the tournament?
GM Gharibyan Mamikon caused an upset by defeating tournament leader GM Aleksej Aleksandrov.
