The Asian Individual Blitz Chess Championship concluded with an exciting display of skill, where Indian Grandmaster Murali Karthikeyan claimed fourth place, making him the highest-ranked Indian in the open section.
The tournament, held at the Danat Al Ain Resort Hotel, witnessed fierce competition among some of the best chess players in the region.
The tournament was dominated by Ivan Zemlyanskiia, a 15-year-old Grandmaster who competed under the FIDE flag, securing first place with an impressive score of 8/9 points. Iran’s Sina Mohaved and Russia’s Rudik Makarian followed in second and third places, respectively. Neelash Saha, another Indian contender, finished fifth, narrowly missing a podium finish.
In the women’s section, India’s Padmini Rout mirrored Karthikeyan’s performance, also clinching fourth place and becoming the top Indian performer among women. The women’s title was secured by Alua Nurman of Kazakhstan, with Valentina Gunina (Russia) and Yuxin Song (China) claiming second and third spots.
Notable Absences: Chess enthusiasts were surprised by the absence of Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin, known for his exceptional speed chess skills, as he opted out of the blitz event. Meanwhile, former Blitz World Champion Alexander Grischuk and his wife Kateryna Lagno, both considered top contenders, failed to reach the podium.
As India’s chess scene continues to thrive, Karthikeyan and Rout’s performances underscore the nation’s growing strength in the game.
