KCA 1st GM R8: Levan Pantsulaia maintains his sole lead

GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO) is virtually unstoppable at KCA's God's Own Country's 1st GM 2025. He defeated Balkishan A without giving him any chance to comeback after the Georgian seized his opportunity. He maintained his sole lead 7.5/8. FM Aakash G's ambitious and unprincipled play against IM Semetei Tologon Tegin (KGZ) did not work out, resulting in the teenager's first loss of the event. Semetei is now the sole pursuer at 7/8. GM Karen H Grigoryan (ARM), GM Deepan Chakkravarthy and IM Rajesh Vav are at 6.5/8 each. Round 9 starts today at 10 a.m. IST. Photo: Shahid Ahmed