Top seeded Grandmasters lived upto their billing, recording dominant victories across the top boards in round 2 of the the Aurionpro Mumbai International Grandmaster Chess Tournament at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai, here on Wednesday.
Top seed GM Levan Pantsulaia showcased his class by defeating Bhaavan Kolla in 33 moves with the French variation of the Sicilian Defence. GM Petrosyan Manuel employed the London System and brilliantly converted an exchange sacrifice into a full point, while GM Paichadze Luka played a sharp and aggressive Caro-Kann to dismantle his opponent.
All top 15 boards were won by titled players, reaffirming their superiority early in the tournament. Despite the dominance at the top, the round wasn’t without its surprises. Hemal Varshan held Manas Gaikwad (ELO 2232) to a draw, while several 1800-rated players impressed by drawing against opponents rated 2100 and above, adding intrigue to the mid-field battles.
The tournament, organised by Indian Chess School under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), features 293 players from 18 countries. With a prize fund of ₹25 lakh, including ₹4 lakh for the winner, the 9-round Swiss event promises many more exciting clashes ahead.
Key Results of Round 2:
Kolla Bhavan 0 lost to GM Pantsulaia Levan 1
GM Petrosyan Manuel 1 beat FM Prakash Ram 0
Rachit Gurnani 0 lost to GM Paichadze Luka 1
GM Nikitenko Mihail 1 beat Devesh Naik 0
CM Vyom Malhotra 0 lost to GM Lalit Babu MR
GM Gharibyan Mamikon 1 beat Nisha Jawalkar
AFM Arhan Jain 0 lost to GM Savchenko Boris 1
FM Vedant Panesar 1 beat CM Vedant Varasada 0
Jagreet Misra 0 lost to GM Sanikidze Tornike 1
GM Deepan Chakravarthy beat Medhvansh Madeti
