SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Nov 9: International Master (IM) Aaryan Varshney of Delhi emerged as the champion of the All India FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2025, which concluded this afternoon at Chaibasa, Jharkhand. The top-seeded Delhi chess player scored 8.5 points out of nine rounds to clinch the Chaibasa FIDE Chess Tournament title, winning the championship trophy along with a cash prize of ₹61,000.
Bengal’s IM Subhyan Kundu and Andhra Pradesh’s Laxmi Charan Naidy both finished with 7.5 points, securing the second and third positions respectively. They received trophies and cash prizes of ₹41,000 and ₹21,500. Roop Mukherjee of Bengal and Kishan Kumar of Bihar stood fourth and fifth, earning ₹15,000 and ₹10,000 respectively.
In the 1600–1800 rating category, Dipo Mandal of Bengal claimed the championship title, while Rajnikant Baxi and Abeer Mitra took the second and third positions. In the 1400–1600 rating category, Rudranil Roy, Aradhya Guine, and Anirban Sahu secured the first, second, and third places, respectively.
The West Singhbhum District Chess Association, which hosted the event, also honoured the three best district players — Mandeep Mukhi, Rajesh Kumar, and Manish Sharma — with special prizes for their outstanding performance.
The prize distribution ceremony was graced by West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Chandan Kumar, who attended as the chief guest. He, along with Deputy Development Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Meena and SDO Sandeep Anurag Topno, distributed trophies and cash prizes to the winners. Distinguished guests Dr Vijay Mundra, Dipendra Prasad Sahu, Anil Khirwar, and Association President Mukund Rungta were also present on the occasion.
General Secretary Basant Khandelwal announced that the tournament witnessed the participation of 345 players from 10 states across India, including 45 women players, making it one of the largest FIDE-rated chess events in India. The event was conducted by Jaideo Chandra Tripathi, while Jahagir Alam proposed the vote of thanks.
