Chennai Grand Masters: Vincent Keymer retains lead despite second consecutive draw
(Courtesy : MGD1)
Keymer is now just a point clear of Arjun Erigaisi at the mid-way mark in Chennai Grand Masters 2025.
German GM Vincent Keymer maintained his grip on the top of the Chennai Grand Masters 2025 table despite being held to his second consecutive draw, this time by GM Vidit Gujrathi in Round 5 on Monday. The result kept Keymer a point clear of nearest rival Arjun Erigaisi, who was also held to a draw by compatriot Pranav V.
Erigaisi and Keymer will play each other in a clash between the table toppers on day 6, with the latter starting with whites.
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 toward 2026 Candidates qualification.
In the Masters section, Jorden van Foreest scored the only decisive result of the day, defeating American GM Ray Robson to go level on points with the latter at 2.0 apiece. Nihal Sarin drew with Awonder Liang, while Anish Giri split the point with Murali Karthikeyan in a balanced contest.
The Challengers section saw a remarkable sweep for the black pieces on the top boards, with leader GM Abhimanyu Puranik defeating GM Harika Dronavalli to extend his lead to a commanding full point.
IM Harshavardhan GB scored a win with black by overcoming GM Vaishali Rameshbabu, while GM Leon Luke Mendonca held GM Pranesh M to a draw to remain in joint second. GM Iniyan Pa also split the point with GM Diptayan Ghosh.
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 5 Results
- Anish Giri (½) drew Murali Karthikeyan (½)
- Vidit Gujrathi (½) drew Vincent Keymer (½)
- Arjun Erigaisi (½) drew Pranav V (½)
- Liang Awonder (½) drew Nihal Sarin (½)
- Jorden van Foreest (1) def. Ray Robson (0)
Challengers – Round 5 Results
- Vaishali Rameshbabu (0) lost to Harshavardhan GB (1)
- Harika Dronavalli (0) lost to Abhimanyu Puranik (1)
- M Pranesh (½) drew Leon Luke Mendonca (½)
- Aryan Chopra (½) drew Adhiban B (½)
- Diptayan Ghosh (½) drew Pa Iniyan (½)
Who is leading the Masters section at the Chennai Grand Masters 2025?
German GM Vincent Keymer is leading the Masters section with 4 points after five rounds.
How did Vincent Keymer perform in Round 5 of the Chennai Grand Masters 2025?
Vincent Keymer was held to a draw by Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi in Round 5, marking his second consecutive draw.
Who leads the Challengers section at the Chennai Grand Masters 2025?
GM Abhimanyu Puranik leads the Challengers section with 4.5 points, a full point ahead of his nearest rivals.
When will Vincent Keymer and Arjun Erigaisi face each other at the Chennai Grand Masters 2025?
Vincent Keymer and Arjun Erigaisi will face off in Round 6, with Keymer playing white.
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Haritmaa Sharma is an aspiring sports journalist with hands-on experience in investigative reporting, digital content creation, and event coverage. Passionate about telling stories that go beyond the scoreboard—especially in cricket, racket sports, grassroots football, and emerging sports narratives.
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