Chennai: The Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025, India’s premier classical chess event, is in full swing at the Hyatt Regency Chennai, drawing top players from across the globe. The tournament features two 10-player round-robin sections — Masters and Challengers — and offers its biggest-ever prize fund of ₹1 crore. Originally slated to start on August 6, play began a day later due to a minor electrical fire at the players’ hotel.
Masters Section: Keymer Strikes Gold, Arjun In Pursuit
German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer has emerged as the man to beat, storming to a perfect start with three wins in his first three games. His thrilling victory with Black against Pranav Venkatesh in round two was described by Keymer as “complete madness.”
Close on his heels is India’s own Arjun Erigaisi, currently ranked world No. 4, who opened with a decisive win over Praggnanandhaa and has maintained momentum with another victory in round three. US Grandmaster Awonder Liang added spice to the race by defeating Pranav Venkatesh in round six, crossing the elite 2700 Elo mark and tying with Arjun for second place.
With just three rounds remaining, the Masters section is primed for a dramatic finish as Keymer defends his lead against two formidable chasers.
Challengers Section: Rising Indian Stars Shine
The Challengers bracket is dominated by homegrown talent, including Pranesh M, Abhimanyu Puranik, Leon Luke Mendonca, Adhiban Baskaran, P. Iniyan, Diptayan Ghosh, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and reigning World Junior Champion Pranav V.
After six rounds, Pranesh M has surged ahead to claim sole first place, edging out Puranik and staying just ahead of Mendonca and Harika in a tightly contested race. The battle for the top spot is set to intensify as the final rounds approach.
Event Format And Venue
The tournament uses a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment, with nine rounds in each section. All games are played at the Hyatt Regency Chennai, where spectators can also enjoy live commentary and fan engagement activities.
The record-breaking prize pool not only raises the stakes but also cements the Chennai Grand Masters as a marquee event on the global chess calendar.
What’s Next
The final three rounds will decide whether Keymer can hold off the surging Arjun and Liang in the Masters, while the Challengers section remains wide open for India’s emerging stars. With world-class play, intense rivalries, and history in the making, Chennai is once again proving itself a true capital of chess.
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