The second round of the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025, being held at the Hyatt Regency, Chennai, brought a mix of decisive results and tense draws in the Masters section, with Germany’s Vincent Keymer emerging as the sole leader at the end of Day 2.
Keymer’s powerful victory over India’s V Pranav set the tone, while American GM Ray Robson produced the biggest upset of the day, defeating top Indian contender Vidit Gujrathi in a sharp tactical encounter.
In other Masters games, Arjun Erigaisi was held to a draw by Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest, while Anish Giri and Nihal Sarin split the point in a balanced contest. The match between Karthikeyan Murali and Awonder Liang also ended in a draw, leaving Keymer alone at the top of the leaderboard.
Masters – Round 2 Highlights
Vincent Keymer (GER) vs V Pranav (IND)
Keymer displayed clinical precision against young Indian GM V Pranav, outplaying him in a strategic middlegame to claim full points. The win gives the German a perfect start to the tournament with 2/2, positioning him as the man to beat in the Masters section.
Ray Robson (USA) vs Vidit Gujrathi (IND)
In the shock result of the day, Robson capitalised on a miscalculation by Vidit in a complex middlegame. The American seized the initiative and converted with flawless accuracy, ensuring Vidit started his Chennai campaign with a setback.
Arjun Erigaisi (IND) vs Jorden van Foreest (NED)
Top seed Arjun pressed with the white pieces but Van Foreest’s solid defensive play held firm, leading to a well-fought draw. Both players remain within striking distance of the leaders.
Anish Giri (NED) vs Nihal Sarin (IND)
A game of subtle manoeuvres and precise calculation ended peacefully, with neither side allowing significant chances. The result keeps both Giri and Nihal in the chasing pack.
Karthikeyan Murali (IND) vs Awonder Liang (USA)
The encounter saw dynamic play from both sides but ultimately fizzled out into a drawn endgame.
Masters – Round 2 Results:
- Vincent Keymer (1.0) def. V Pranav (0)
- Ray Robson (1.0) def. Vidit Gujrathi (0)
- Arjun Erigaisi (½) drew Jorden van Foreest (½)
- Anish Giri (½) drew Nihal Sarin (½)
- Karthikeyan Murali (½) drew Awonder Liang (½)
Challengers Section Indian Domination
In the Challengers section, it was an excellent day for Indian players, with Iniyan P and Abhimanyu Puranik registering crucial wins. Iniyan P impressed with a smooth positional victory over Harika Dronavalli, gradually building up an advantage and converting with assured technique. Abhimanyu Puranik, after a shaky first round, bounced back in style by beating Leon Luke Mendonca in a dynamic game full of tactical motifs.
The remaining matches Harshavardhan GB vs Aryan Chopra, Diptayan Ghosh vs M Pranesh, and Adhiban B vs Vaishali R ended in draws, though each saw moments of tension before peace was agreed.
Challengers Round 2 Results:
- Harshavardhan GB (½) drew Aryan Chopra (½)
- Diptayan Ghosh (½) drew M Pranesh (½)
- Iniyan P (1) def. Harika Dronavalli (0)
- Adhiban B (½) drew Vaishali R (½)
- Abhimanyu Puranik (1) def. Leon Luke Mendonca (0)
About the Tournament
Now in its third edition, the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters sponsored by Quantbox and organised by MGD1 — is India’s premier classical-format chess tournament. The event features 20 elite players across two categories: Masters and Challengers, each competing in a nine-round, ten-day battle for supremacy.
The tournament offers a ₹1 Crore prize pool alongside FIDE Circuit points, making it a high-stakes affair for both established stars and rising talents.
Fan Engagement and Viewing Experience
For chess enthusiasts, the tournament is more than just the games it’s an immersive experience. Fans can witness live action daily at 3:00 PM IST (12:00 PM IST on the final day) at the Hyatt Regency, Chennai. The venue features live commentary zones, fan interaction areas, and exclusive tournament merchandise.
Ticketing:
•Basic Access: ₹250
•General Access: ₹750
•VIP Access: ₹3,500 (includes premium seating, full-day access, and complimentary high-tea snacks)
Tickets are available on BookMyShow, giving spectators the chance to watch top-level classical chess up close.
Looking Ahead to Round 3
With Vincent Keymer holding the sole lead in the Masters, all eyes will be on whether he can maintain his momentum against stronger opposition in the coming rounds. Ray Robson’s upset of Vidit adds another layer of intrigue to the standings, while Indian fans will hope for a strong comeback from Arjun, Vidit, and Nihal.
In the Challengers, Iniyan and Abhimanyu’s wins keep them in contention for top honours, while Harika and Vaishali will be looking to bounce back in their next games. As the tournament moves into the early middle rounds, the blend of elite preparation, over-the-board creativity, and mental resilience will define who rises to the top and who fades under pressure.
The Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2025 is shaping up to be a classic edition, with drama already unfolding in both sections. For fans in Chennai and beyond, the next few days promise more high-quality chess and plenty of storylines to follow.
