Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi To Headline Chennai Grand Masters
Grandmasters Erigaisi, Gujrathi, and Giri lead the Chennai Grand Masters from August 6, with a Rs one crore prize pool.
Grandmasters Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi and Anish Giri will headline the third edition of the Chennai Grand Masters, starting in the city on August 6.
India's most prestigious classical chess tournament will feature 20 players across the Masters and Challengers categories.
The latest edition will have a Rs one crore prize pool as competitors chase FIDE Circuit points, which are important for qualifying for the Candidates Tournament in 2026.
Organised by MGD1 and sponsored by Quantbox, the Chennai Grand Masters will be split into two categories: Masters and Challengers.
Besides Erigaisi, Gujrathi and Giri, the Masters field will include Jorden Van Foreest, Liang Awonder, Vincent Keymer, Ray Robson, Vladimir Fedoseev and Pranav V, who steps up after winning the Challengers in 2024.
'Playing such a high-stakes tournament at home is always special. As the top-rated player here, I know the expectations are high, but the field this year is extremely competitive, and every game will demand my absolute best," Erigaisi said.
The Challengers category, introduced in 2024, will feature Karthikeyan Murali, Leon Mendonca, Vaishali R, Harika Dronavalli, Abhimanyu Puranik, Aryan Chopra, Adhiban Baskaran, Iniyan P, Diptayan Ghosh and Pranesh M.
The Masters champion will take home Rs 25 lakh, while the second and third place players will receive Rs 15 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively.
The Challengers' winner will get Rs 7 lakh and a guaranteed place in the 2026 Masters. The tournament carries FIDE Circuit points as well, with the winner earning 24.5 points towards the 2026 Candidates qualification.
In the case of joint winners, each will receive 22.3 points, while second and third place finishers will earn 17.8 and 15.6 points, respectively.
(With PTI Inputs)
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
Watch: Shubman Gill's Brain Fade Moment Leads To Frustrating Run Out At The Oval
Shubman Gill's risky run led to his dismissal in the fifth Test against England at The Oval Shubman Gill performed a Hara-Kiri act on Thursday as India locked horns with England in the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord's. The Indian captain took charge after the openers – Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul – got out early and even looked to be on course to a big score. But he ended up throwing away his wicket while trying to steal a risky run. It was the 28 th over when Gill defended a fuller delivery from Gus Atkinson and set off for a single. Sai Sudharsan wasn't convinced at the other end and tried stopping his captain. Gill, who had completely misjudged the run, changed his mind after reaching halfway and as he turned back, he hardly had any time to make his ground. Atkinson was quick to grab the ball and then hit the bullseye, leaving the Indian skipper frustrated. Earlier, India lost both openers — Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul — early on a green-top wicket but recovered well to reach 72/2 at lunch on Day 1 of the series-deciding fifth Test against England at The Oval on Thursday. There were four changes in the Indian XI: Akash Deep returned after regaining fitness, while Prasidh Krishna, Karun Nair, and Dhruv Jurel also made the cut. Out went Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and the injured Rishabh Pant. England, too, had announced four changes a day earlier, with Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer ruled out due to injuries. On the greenest surface of the series, the ball did nip around but didn't swing a great deal. Making his first appearance this series, Gus Atkinson made an early impact by trapping Jaiswal (2) in front — a successful review overturning the on-field call. Josh Tongue had a wayward start, leaking 12 in his first over, including two wides on either side. Rahul (14 off 40) chopped one onto his stumps while trying to cut a harmless short ball from Woakes. Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill looked solid before rain arrived unexpectedly, forcing an early lunch. Both found some fluent boundaries, with Gill particularly looking in rhythm. (With Agency Inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
Max Verstappen Confirms He Will Stay With Red Bull Racing Till 2026
Max Verstappen confirmed he will stay with Red Bull Racing through 2026, ending speculation about his future. It's official: Max Verstappen will stay at Red Bull Racing through the 2026 season. The defending four-time World Champion confirmed his allegiance to his current team at a presser leading up to the Hungarian GP on Thursday. Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen finally stated in no uncertain terms he was staying with the team that helped him to four consecutive world championships. 'I've never really said anything about it because I was just focused on talking to the team about how we can improve our performance, future ideas for next year as well, and that's why I had nothing really to add," he said. 'I think it's time to basically stop all the rumours. For me, it has always been quite clear that I was staying anyway," stated the Dutchman to the media. 'We head into Hungary this week, and it is my 200th race with the team. So, it is great to take time to look back at all the successes we have achieved as a team and look ahead to the future as well." Speculation surrounding Verstappen's future had intensified in recent months. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff openly expressed interest in signing the four-time world champion for 2025, should an opportunity present itself. Although Verstappen's current contract with Red Bull runs until 2028, it includes clauses that could have allowed him to leave early under specific circumstances. ESPN reported that Verstappen would have been free to exit the team if he ranked fourth or lower in the championship standings following the Hungarian Grand Prix, which preceded Formula 1's August summer break. However, after the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen extended his lead beyond the reach of fourth-placed George Russell. His victory in Saturday's sprint race gave him a 26-point buffer over Russell, a gap he widened by an additional two points during Sunday's grand prix. It is understood that Verstappen's exit clauses can also come into play again next summer. When asked if he was expecting a similar level of media scrutiny in 12 months' time, he replied: 'I don't know. I mean, if you ask me that question next year, then yes, and we'll have that speculation. 'But I never speak about it, because I'm more interested in just working on the performance of things, so that's why I also never really talk about what is in my contract." view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
'We Can Do Anything If...': 2002 CWG Gold Medallist Anjali Bhagwat Delivers Inspiring Message
Last Updated: Indian shooter Anjali Bhagwat, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, has stressed self-belief for success. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Indian shooter Anjali Bhagwat has said that one's belief can drive one to newer heights and success, only if they believe in themselves and their abilities, even while facing the greatest hurdles in their field of play. Bhagwat became the World No. 1 in 10m air rifle in 2002. She won her first World Cup final in Milan in 2003, with a score of 399/400 as well. Bhagwat won the ISSF Champion of Champions award and is the sole Indian to win the ISSF Champions Trophy in the Air Rifle Men and Women mixed event at Munich in 2002. 'I discovered myself while playing sport. I was a bubbly and chirpy girl during my college days, but when I entered sports, it was an instant failure because it was an unusual event which I chose and it took me a decade to survive in that event," Bhagwat said while speaking at the SheShakti 2025 Mumbai Edition. 'Once I started my professional journey, I realised I could do it. My sport is different and challenging. Other than being physically fit, we need to be mentally fit, too. There, I saw what Anjali Bhagwat is," the three-time Olympian added. She represented India in three successive Olympics and was a finalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, a first for any Indian women's shooter. 'In the intense moments, when I stood for my World Championship title, I was shooting along with a Chinese who was an Olympic medallist. For a moment, I thought, sab khatam ho gaya (everything has ended)," Bhagwat said. 'Then I realised what I have learnt and gathered myself. I told myself, this is the only chance I have to prove myself. I shot and I was the first world champion from India. That gave me confidence that we can do anything if we believe in our calibre," Bhagwat added. In December 1999, she began training under Laszlo Szucsak, the then-coach for the Indian Shooting Team. Bhagwat had approached him after watching his work with the Malaysian Shooting team. Szucsak remained with the side for a year, during which Bhagwat earned a wild card entry in the 2000 Olympics, where she went on to become one of the finalists. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
