2nd Namma Bengaluru GM R5-6: Pranav Anand scores a double hat-trick, gains sole lead and withdraws

GM Pranav Anand scored a double hat-trick of wins, emerged sole leader and withdrew from 2nd Namma Bengaluru GM 2025. The decision to play only six rounds was informed to the organizers before the start of the tournament as he had already committed to major tournaments in Spain this month. In the fifth and sixth round, he defeated GM Deepan Chakkravarthy and GM Levan Pantsualaia (GEO) in two contrasting battles. The first one was a sharp encounter while the second one was a positional skirmish. Pranav's withdrawal resulted in, IM Ethan Vaz, GM Manuel Petrosyan (ARM) and IM Padmini Rout gaining the lead 5.5/6. Tomorrow is the sole rest day. Round 7 starts at 3 p.m. IST on Tuesday 15th April. Photos: Shahid Ahmed