GM Aaryan Varshney scores a perfect 9/9 to win 1st Rival of Anga Rapid Rating 2026
Grandmaster Aaryan Varshney produced a flawless performance, scoring an unbeaten 9/9 to clinch the inaugural 1st Rival of Anga International Open Rapid Rating Chess Tournament 2026 in Bhagalpur, Bihar. The two-day tournament was held on 8th and 9th August 2026 at the Bihar Agricultural University campus in Bhagalpur. The total prize fund was ₹3,00,000, with the top 3 prizes of ₹30,000, ₹20,000, and ₹15,000 along with trophies. Photos: Ajay Kumar Mishra
Aaryan Varshney Dominates the Field
Delhi's GM Aaryan Varshney led from start to finish, sweeping all nine rounds to secure the championship trophy alongside the top cash prize of ₹30,000. West Bengal’s WFM Sneha Halder secured the runner-up spot on tiebreaks with 7.5/9, taking home ₹20,000. Under-16 talent Aditya Sur (West Bengal) finished third with 7.5/9, while Bihar’s CM Sudhir Kumar Sinha and West Bengal’s IM Kaustuv Kundu rounded out the top five with 7.5 points each.
Organization & Technical Team
The tournament was made possible with the key support of Bihar Sports Minister Ms. Shreyasi Singh, whose facilitation helped secure the venue at the Bihar Agricultural University.
The technical team was led by Chief Arbiter IA Jyoti Shankar Nanda, alongside Deputy Chief Arbiters NA Ankit Kumar Mishra and SNA Kunal Kumar Roy, supported by Arbiters Gulshan, Sagar Kumar, Ritesh Bavar, Poushant, and Amit Yadav.
Bhagalpur District Chess Association President Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh and Secretary Ajay Kumar Mishra oversaw the event operations. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Ajay Kumar Mishra noted that hosting a titled FIDE-rated rapid tournament marks a significant milestone in Bhagalpur's sporting calendar, providing local players invaluable exposure against international and national talent.
Final Ranking after 9 Rounds
Rk. | SNo | Name | Typ | sex | Gr | FED | Rtg | Club/City | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | GM | IND | 2294 | Delhi | 9 | 54,5 | 57,5 | 57,5 | ||||
2 | 5 | WFM | w | IND | 2003 | West Bengal | 7,5 | 55,5 | 58 | 45,75 | |||
3 | 34 | U16 | IND | 1788 | West Bengal | 7,5 | 54 | 55,5 | 43,75 | ||||
4 | 12 | CM | IND | 1923 | Bihar | 7,5 | 52 | 57 | 45 | ||||
5 | 2 | IM | IND | 2285 | West Bengal | 7,5 | 52 | 55,5 | 44,25 | ||||
6 | 38 | IND | 1777 | West Bengal | 7,5 | 51 | 53,5 | 42,25 | |||||
7 | 3 | CM | S60 | IND | 2052 | West Bengal | 7,5 | 51 | 52 | 41,25 | |||
8 | 29 | IND | 1816 | West Bengal | 7,5 | 49 | 51,5 | 42,25 | |||||
9 | 48 | IND | 1697 | West Bengal | 7,5 | 48,5 | 52 | 42 | |||||
10 | 13 | IND | 1907 | West Bengal | 7 | 53 | 56 | 41,5 |