Aarush Bhat wins 2nd RCC Merry Christmas Blitz Rating Open 2025

by Shahid Ahmed - 15/01/2026

13-year-old Aarush Bhat scored 9/11 to win RCC presents 2nd Merry Christmas Blitz Rating Open 2025. Both Aarush and Lakshith B Salian scored 9/11 each. However, Aarush became champion due to better tie-break score. Lakshith was placed second. They finished a full point ahead of the competition. Seven players scored 8/11. Out of them, Ajay Manjunath Bhat was finished third as per tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹10000 + trophies. The top three prizes were ₹3000, ₹2000 and ₹1000 along with a trophy each. The one-day eleven round Blitz Rating tournament was organized by and at Rao's Chess Corner, Bejai in Mangalore, Karnataka on 24th December 2025. This is Aarush's fifth overall, third rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Aarush's third rating tournament triumph in 2025

Lakshith B Salian was the sole leader 9/10, going into the last round. He was a full point ahead of Aayiu Atindrya Shetty, Aarush Bhat and Vihaan Shetty. A draw would have sufficed for Lakshith to become a clear champion. Rudra Rajeev defeated Lakshith and the latter finished second. Vihaan lost to Aarush who became the champion. Aayiu suffered a defeat versus Ajay Manjunath Bhat. Ajay was placed third. Rao's Chess Corner is run by Karnataka's top chess couple - IM Sharan Rao and WIM Isha Sharma.

Champion - Aarush Bhat 9/11 | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Runner-up - Lakshith B Salian 9/11 | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Second Runner-up - Ajay Manjunath Bhat 8/11 | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Aarush Bhat during one of his games | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Aarush Bhat scored 9/11, won the tournament on tie-breaks and gained 40.4 Elo rating points

The tournament hall at Rao's Chess Corner, Bejai in Mangalore, Karnataka | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

For more photos, click here.

A total of 72 players took part. The one-day eleven round Blitz Rating tournament was organized by and at Rao's Chess Corner, Bejai in Mangalore, Karnataka on 24th December 2025. The time control of the event was 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move.

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	3	AIM	Aarush Bhat,	IND	1763	9	77	81,5	64,5
2	2	AGM	Lakshith B Salian,	IND	1819	9	75,5	80,5	64,5
3	27		Ajay Manjunath Bhat,	IND	1429	8	78	83	57
4	13		Aayiu Atindrya Shetty,	IND	1566	8	76,5	81,5	58,5
5	17		Sanjith Bhat,	IND	1495	8	75,5	79,5	54,5
6	1		Vihaan, Shetty	IND	1883	8	73	77,5	51,5
7	5		Rudra Rajeev,	IND	1718	8	71	76,5	53
8	8		Shradha S Rai,	IND	1603	8	70,5	73,5	47,5
9	10	AFM	Praneeth H S,	IND	1599	8	70	73,5	49,5
10	20		Praneel Rai M,	IND	1465	7,5	69,5	73,5	45,25