Chennai Grand Masters 2025: Nihal Sarin ends Arjun Erigaisi's unbeaten streak in Round 4

Keymer stays on top as Nihal scores first win, Puranik takes sole lead in Challengers at Chennai Grand Masters 2025.

Nihal Sarin claimed his first victory of the Chennai Grand Masters 2025, defeating compatriot Arjun Erigaisi in Round 4 on Sunday to halt his unbeaten run.

German GM Vincent Keymer, meanwhile, extended his undefeated streak to four games after drawing with Dutch star Anish Giri, holding on to a one-point lead at the top of the standings.

Now in its third year, the Chennai Grand Masters 2025 is India’s strongest classical chess event. Organised by MGD1, it features two elite 10-player round-robin sections—Masters and Challengers—across nine rounds in ten days.

With a ₹1 Crore prize pool, the Masters winner earns ₹25 Lakhs, the Challengers winner ₹7 Lakhs, and a coveted 2026 Masters berth. The event also offers FIDE Circuit points, with the Masters champion securing 24.5 points toward the 2026 Candidates qualification.

Nihal’s win over Arjun came after a tense, strategic battle that began with the Reti Opening, with Arjun mirroring his compatriot’s setup. With chess legend Vishwanathan Anand presiding in the commentary box, providing fans with a unique live experience, the game unfolded at a measured pace, with Arjun claiming the first piece on move 15.

A tightly contested middlegame gradually opened up, allowing Nihal to press his advantage and convert on move 70 for his first victory of the 2025 edition. Elsewhere, GM Murali Karthikeyan also impressed, defeating Jorden van Foreest to climb up the standings.

In other Masters results, GM Vidit Gujrathi and GM Pranav V split the points after a balanced encounter, while the all-American clash between GM Awonder Liang and GM Ray Robson also ended with half a point apiece. Keymer’s draw with Giri kept him in the sole lead, while Nihal’s victory over Arjun injected fresh intrigue into the title race.

In the Challengers section, GM Abhimanyu Puranik emerged as the sole leader after defeating WGM Vaishali Rameshbabu with the white pieces, capitalising on hitherto joint leader M Pranesh’s draw against GM Adhiban Baskaran.

GM Diptayan Ghosh scored a win by beating Harshavardhan GB, while GM Leon Luke Mendonca also stayed in contention with a victory over GM Harika Dronavalli–both moving level with Pranesh on 3 points. GM P Iniyan overcame GM Aryan Chopra to move to 2.5 points.

Fans can watch live daily at 3:00 PM IST (12:00 PM on the final day) at Hyatt Regency Chennai, with on-ground experiences including commentary zones, fan activations, and exclusive merchandise. Tickets on BookMyShow start at ₹250, with VIP passes at ₹3,500 offering premium full-day access, and high-tea snacks for an immersive chess experience.

Masters – Round 4 Results:

• Murali Karthikeyan (1) def. Jordan van Foreest (0)
• Ray Robson (½) drew Liang Awonder (½)
• Nihal Sarin (1) def. Arjun Erigaisi (0)
• Pranav V (½) drew Vidit Gujrathi (½)
• Vincent Keymer (½) drew Anish Giri (½)

Challengers – Round 4 Results:

• Harshvardhan GB (0) lost to Diptayan Ghosh (1)
• P Iniyan (1) def. Aryan Chopra (0)
• Adhiban B (½) drew Pranesh M (½)
• Leon Luke Mendonca (1) def. Harika Dronavalli (0)
• Abhinmanyu Puranik (1) def. Vaishali Rameshbabu (0)

Masters Standings after Day 4:

1. Vincent Keymer – 3.5
2. Arjun Erigaisi – 2.5
3. Anish Giri – 2
4. Ray Robson – 2
5. Awonder Liang – 2
6. Vidit Gujrathi – 2
7. Karthikeyan Murali – 2
8. Nihal Sarin – 1.5
9. V Pranav – 1.5
10. Jorden van Foreest – 1

Challengers Standings after Day 4:

1. Abhimanyu Puranik – 3.5
2. M Pranesh – 3
3. Diptayan Ghosh – 3
4. Leon Luke Mendonca – 3
5. Pa Iniyan – 2.5
6. Adhiban Baskaran – 2
7. Vaishali Rameshbabu – 1
8. Aryan Chopra – 1
9. Harika Dronavalli – 0.5
10. Harshavardhan GB – 0.5

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