Pranesh's final-round win sealed the title at the event in Chennai. He finished half a point clear of the field, with SL Narayanan and Aravindh Chithambaram sharing second place on six and a half points each.
Final round decides the title
Pranesh went into the final round knowing a win would secure the title. He beat Iniyan Pa to reach seven points and close out the tournament in style, adding 7.6 rating points to his tally along the way. The win was the standout result of the final round. Iniyan, who had been in contention, could not stop Pranesh, and the title went to the player who had been the most consistent across the event.
Narayanan and Aravindh share second
SL Narayanan finished second on six and a half points, ahead of Aravindh Chithambaram on tiebreak. Both players finished half a point behind Pranesh after strong performances across the tournament. The close finish at the top showed the strength of the field. Three of India's leading Grandmasters were separated by just half a point at the end of the event, and the final round proved decisive.
Nine norms earned in the event
The tournament produced nine norms in total, with one Grandmaster norm, seven International Master norms and one Woman International Master norm earned across the event. The norm count made it one of the most productive events for Indian title aspirants. Viresh Sharnarthi earned his second Grandmaster norm at the event, moving closer to the title. Aadik Lenin earned his final International Master norm, completing the requirements for the title.
A strong start for the Chola Chess GM Open
The first edition of the Chola Chess GM Open drew a strong field to Chennai and delivered a competitive tournament with a clear winner. The nine norms and the close race at the top gave the event a strong first outing. For Pranesh, the title and the Rs 10 lakh prize cap a successful tournament. The win over Iniyan in the final round was the decisive game of the event, and the seven-point score reflected a consistent performance from start to finish.
