Im neelash saha

Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess: Day 5 of the 21st Delhi International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 delivered a double dose of drama, with Category B terminating and a top-board clash between India’s top seeds, GMs S. L. Narayanan and Abhijeet Gupta, unfolding in the main Grandmasters section at Tivoli Gardens, Chattarpur.

In the Category B section, Telangana’s Anandbatla Satvik emerged champion with an outstanding 9/10, outshining a strong field of over 800 players. He takes home ₹4 lakh — the highest-ever first prize for an amateur chess event in India. Sundram Kumar and Shaikh Sohil claimed second and third places, winning ₹3 lakh and ₹2 lakh respectively — a podium sweep that underscores the growing depth and ambition in India’s amateur chess scene.

Meanwhile, in the marquee Category A section, top-seeded Indian GMs, S L Narayanan and Abhijeet Gupta played out a tense draw in Round 6. Entering the day in strong form, both players showcased high-level positional manoeuvring, with neither able to break through. The half-point apiece keeps them firmly in contention as the title race heats up heading into the final four rounds.