Leon Luke Mendonca clear first at Ganja Open 2025
GM Leon Luke Mendonca scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win Ganja Open 2025 Group A (≥2000). He finished a half point ahead of the competition. GM Zhao Jun (CHN), GM Ilia Iljiushenok and IM Khazar Babazada (AZE) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Leon drew against both runners-up in Round 6 and 9 respectively. Total prize fund was AZN 41200 (US$ 24235). The top three prizes were AZN 10000, 6500 and 4000 each. IM Mayank Chakraborty was the only other Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6/9 to finish at tenth place. IM Subhayan Kundu scored 6/7 to secure second place in Rapid Rating Open. Khazar won that event scoring 6.5/7. Mayank was placed sixth with a score of 6/7. What is remarkable about Leon's triumph is, after getting eliminated on 2nd November, Leon played a tournament on 11th and won it on 17th. It just shows how strong Leon is and how ready he always stays. Photo: Official site
Leon makes a quick comeback after a World Cup setback
After a first round elimination at the FIDE World Cup 2025 at his home state in Goa, India, GM Leon Luke Mendonca decided to play in Ganja Open 2025 held at Ganja city in Azerbaijan. Leon scored an impressive 7/9, remained undefeated and became a clear champion. That definitely shows how strong Leon is, as it is not easy to make a comeback from a setback. This was the seventh event part of 'Chess Tour Azerbaijan'. IM Mayank Chakraborty won the eighth and final event of the season - Shirvan Open on 26th November. It will be mentioned in detail in a separate report.
Romanov - Leon, Round 8
GM Evgeny Romanov (NOR, 2567) played 40.Rb8?? the idea is to bring his d5-rook to d8 and threaten checkmate on h8. GM Leon Luke Mendonca (2620) had his own attack in mind 40...Ne3-+ 41.Rdd8 Rxg4! 42.fxg4 Qxg4+ 43.Kh1 Qxh5+ 44.Kg1 Qg4+ 45.Kh1 Qh5+ 46.Kg1 Qd1+ 47.Ne1 Qg4+ 48.Kh1 Qe4+ 49.Kg1 Ng4 50.Qh4 Rc1 51.Rh8+ would not make a difference as Kg6 and White is not only out of checks but also has no defence available.
Replay all Group A games
Replay all available Rapid games
A total of 77 players including 7 GMs, 13 IMs, 2 WGMs and 2 WIMs took part from eleven countries across the world in Group A (≥2000). The seven-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Azerbaijan Chess Federation and Ganja city Executive Authority at Ganja city Dream Theater in Ganja, Azerbaijan from 11th to 17th November 2025. The time control of the event was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.
Final standings in Group A
| Rk. | SNo | Name | sex | FED | RtgI | Bdld | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | GM | Mendonca, Leon Luke | IND | 2620 | 7 | 0 | 2656 | 40 | |||
| 2 | 3 | GM | Zhao, Jun | CHN | 2531 | 6,5 | 0 | 2556 | 36,5 | |||
| 3 | 4 | GM | Iljiushenok, Ilia | FID | 2521 | 6,5 | 0 | 2476 | 37 | |||
| 4 | 6 | IM | Babazada, Khazar | AZE | 2509 | 6,5 | 0 | 2449 | 37,5 | |||
| 5 | 2 | GM | Romanov, Evgeny | MKD | 2567 | 6 | 0 | 2524 | 40,5 | |||
| 6 | 14 | IM | Talibov, Shiroghlan | AZE | 2443 | 6 | 0 | 2494 | 39 | |||
| 7 | 10 | IM | Ahmad, Khagan | AZE | 2458 | 6 | 0 | 2485 | 39 | |||
| 8 | 22 | CM | Davudov, Tunar | AZE | 2339 | 6 | 0 | 2468 | 38 | |||
| 9 | 7 | GM | Alekseev, Evgeny | ISR | 2508 | 6 | 0 | 2447 | 36,5 | |||
| 10 | 11 | IM | Mayank, Chakraborty | IND | 2454 | 6 | 0 | 2409 | 34,5 |
A total of 134 players including 6 IMs, a WGM and a WIM took part from seven countries across the world in Rapid. The one-day seven round Rating Open tournament was organized by Azerbaijan Chess Federation and Ganja city Executive Authority at Ganja city Dream Theater in Ganja, Azerbaijan on 15th November 2025. The time control of the event was 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.
Final standings in Rapid
| Rk. | SNo | Name | sex | FED | RtgI | Bdld | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | K | rtg+/- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | IM | Babazada, Khazar | AZE | 2346 | 6,5 | 0 | 6 | 25 | 20 | 19,6 | |||
| 2 | 8 | IM | Subhayan, Kundu | IND | 2196 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 20 | 16,6 | |||
| 3 | 27 | Nasibov, Rufat | AZE | 1970 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 22 | 20 | 48,2 | ||||
| 4 | 37 | Zeynalli, Alisafa | AZE | 1880 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 21 | 40 | 104,4 | ||||
| 5 | 1 | IM | Ibrahimli, Murad | AZE | 2379 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 20 | 3,4 | |||
| 6 | 5 | IM | Mayank, Chakraborty | IND | 2244 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 40 | 48 | |||
| 7 | 6 | FM | Suleymanli, Suleyman | AZE | 2215 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 20 | 27,8 | |||
| 8 | 11 | Moridi, Mohammad Kia | IRI | 2163 | 5,5 | 0 | 5 | 22 | 40 | 13,6 | ||||
| 9 | 18 | Abbasov, Amil | AZE | 2073 | 5,5 | 0 | 5 | 20,5 | 20 | 3,8 | ||||
| 10 | 16 | Rzayev, Askar Aliakbar | TUR | 2100 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 20 | 26,6 |
