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The Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 was said to be a golden opportunity for Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi to further cement his position as India’s number one. His campaign began with a commanding victory over American GM Awonder Liang in the opening round, setting a strong tone for the event. Erigaisi’s momentum continued in Round 3, where he defeated American GM Ray Robson, maintaining his position in sole second place behind Vincent Keymer. However, a setback came in Round 4 when compatriot Nihal Sarin stunned him in a 70-move battle. Arjun bounced back with a critical draw against Keymer in Round 6, keeping the leaderboard tight.
In the final round, Erigaisi faced GM Karthikeyan Murali in an all-Indian clash, resulting in a well-contested draw. Arjun Erigaisi’s final score of 5/9, with two wins, six draws, and one loss, earned him a third place finish in the Masters section at the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025. The world number four showcased his skill and resilience, finishing just behind champion Vincent Keymer of Germany and runner-up Anish Giri of the Netherlands. The tournament was also a bearer of good news as Indian GM M.Pranesh emerged champion in the Challenger category, though he got defeated by IM G.B. Harshavardhan in the final round. GM Adhiban Baskaran won against GM Leon Luke Mendonca to finish second.
Grandmasters Karthikeyan Murali and Nihal Sarin were among the top five finishers in Masters section
Arjun Erigaisi’s third place finish has fetched him reportedly valuable FIDE Circuit points toward 2026 Candidates qualification. Among other Indian participants in the Masters section, GM Karthikeyan Murali finished fourth with 5/9, matching Erigaisi’s score. GM Nihal Sarin finished fifth with 4.5/9. GM Vidit Gujrathi, India’s No. 2, ended seventh with 4/9, with a notable win over Nihal Sarin in Round 3 but appeared to struggle in maintaining consistency. GM Pranav V, the youngest in the Masters section at 18, finished ninth with 3/9 but reportedly earned praise for his draw against top seed Anish Giri.
In the Challengers section, GM Pranesh M emerged as the champion with 6.5/9. Pranesh’s performance, which included a 2720 rating performance and 15.7 Elo points gained, earned him ₹7 Lakh and a spot in the 2026 Masters section. GM Adhiban Baskaran, the only undefeated player in the Challengers, finished second with 6/9, showcasing his attacking flair with a win over GM Leon Luke Mendonca in the final round. As the chess world looks toward the 2026 Candidates, events like these provide critical opportunities for India’s stars to shine.
