Karthikieyan stuns Vidit in seventh round of Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters

With two rounds remaining, Arjun will take on compatriot Vidit in his penultimate match-up of the tournament

Hyderabad: GM Karthikeyan Murali lit up the seventh round of the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters on Monday with a stunning win over GM Vidit Gujrathi, prevailing with the black pieces after a gritty battle.

Meanwhile, German GM Vincent Keymer strengthened his grip on the title race with a clinical win over American GM Awonder Liang, leaving the former 1.5 points ahead of his closest competitors, Liang included.

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Keymer’s nearest challenger, Arjun Erigaisi, was held to a draw by Dutch star Anish Giri—a setback for the Indian’s title hopes with only two rounds to play. Elsewhere in the Masters, GM Nihal Sarin defeated GM Ray Robson, while GM Jorden van Foreest and GM V Pranav shared the spoils in a balanced contest.

With two rounds remaining, Arjun will take on compatriot Vidit in his penultimate match-up of the tournament, where nothing short of a win–combined with results elsewhere going his way–will keep his title challenge alive. Liang, finding himself in a similar situation to Arjun, will tackle Giri. Meanwhile, Keymer can seal his first Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 title, should he succeed in beating Van Foreest with whites on Day 8.

In the Challengers, GM Leon Luke Mendonca stayed in the joint lead after overcoming GM Diptayan Ghosh, while M Pranesh also kept pace at the top with a win over GM Vaishali Rameshbabu.

GM Abhimanyu Puranik was held to a draw by GM Aryan Chopra, leaving the former 0.5 behind the joint leaders in the title race. In other results, IM Harshavardhan GB defeated GM Harika Dronavalli, and GM Pa Iniyan split the point with GM Adhiban Baskaran.

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The results: 7th round: Masters: ResultsL: Visit Gujrath (0) lost to Karthikeyan Murali (0); Arjun Erigaisi (½) drew Anish Giri (½); Awonder Liang (0) lost to Vincent Keymer (1); Jordan van Foreest (½) drew V Pranav (½); Ray Robson (0) lost to Nihal Sarin (1).

Standing after 7th round: 1. Vincent Keymer – 5.5, 2. Arjun Erigaise 4, 3. Karthikeyan Murali 4, 4. Anish Girl 3.5, 5. Wonder Liang 3.5, 6. Jordan van Foreest 3.5, 7. Visit Gujjrathi 3, 8. Nihal Sarin 3, 9. V. Prannav 3 and 10. Ray Robson

Challengers: results: Dronavalli Harika (0) lost to G.B. Harshavardhan (1); M. Pranesh (1) bt Vaishali Rameshbabu (0); Aryan Chopra (1/2) drew with Abhimmayu Purim (1/2): Diptayan Ghosh (0) lost to Leon Luke Mendonca (1); Pa Ionian (1/2) drew with Adhiban Baskaran (1/2).

Standings after 7th round: 1. M. Pranesh 5.5, 2. Leon Luke Mendonca 5.5, 3, Abhimanyu Puranik 5, 4. Adhibban Baskaran 4, 5. Pa Iniyan 44, 6. Diptayan Ghosh 3.5, 7. G.B. Harshavardhan 3, 8. Aryan Chopra 2, 9. Dronavalli Harika 1.5 and 10 Vaishali Rameshbabu 1