Punjab State Rapid and Blitz 2026: Shubham wins Rapid, Nikhil shines in Blitz
Top seed Shubham Shukla of Ludhiana scored an unbeaten 8/9 points to win the Punjab State Rapid Chess Championship. Nikhil Chehal of Patiala won the Punjab State Blitz Chess Championship with an unbeaten 8/9 points. The championship also served as a selection tournament, with the top 2 performers earning the opportunity to represent Punjab at the upcoming National Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships. The event was successfully conducted on January 31 and February 1, 2026, at the campus of Amity University, Mohali. The state championship was organized by the Punjab State Chess Association in collaboration with Social Substance. Photos: Ankush Kathuria
Selection for Nationals
Shubham Shukla and Yuvraj Singh secured 1st and 2nd positions, respectively, in the Rapid Championship, and they will be representing Punjab in the national chess championship. In blitz, Nikhil Chehal and Naren Gupta both scored 8/9 points to secure 1st and 2nd place, and they will be representing Punjab state in the national blitz championship.
The Punjab State Chess Association expressed sincere gratitude to Amity University Mohali for providing outstanding infrastructure, logistical support, and a highly professional environment. Special thanks were also extended to Social Substance, tournament officials, arbiters, coaches, parents, and volunteers for their invaluable contribution to the successful conduct of the championship.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Prof. Puneet Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University Mohali, at the opening ceremony, and Chief Guest Sh. Mohit Aggarwal, SP City, Mohali. At the closing ceremony Both dignitaries encouraged the young players and highlighted the importance of chess in developing strategic thinking, discipline, decision-making, and leadership qualities among youth.
Final Ranking in Rapid after 9 Rounds
Rk. | SNo | Name | Typ | sex | FED | Rtg | Bdld | Club/City | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | AGM | IND | 1897 | Ludhiana | 8 | 50 | 54 | 46,5 | ||||
2 | 4 | IND | 1770 | Mansa | 7,5 | 52,5 | 56,5 | 45 | |||||
3 | 44 | U15 | IND | 1517 | Patiala | 7,5 | 46,5 | 50,5 | 40,75 | ||||
4 | 13 | IND | 1633 | Patiala | 7,5 | 46,5 | 50 | 41 | |||||
5 | 2 | U15 | IND | 1810 | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) | 7 | 55 | 60,5 | 45,75 | ||||
6 | 6 | IND | 1730 | Patiala | 7 | 47 | 51 | 38 | |||||
7 | 12 | IND | 1648 | Amritsar | 7 | 46 | 49 | 36,75 | |||||
8 | 35 | AIM | U13 | IND | 1528 | Bathinda | 7 | 46 | 49 | 35,5 | |||
9 | 14 | U15 | IND | 1629 | Patiala | 7 | 45,5 | 49,5 | 37,5 | ||||
10 | 25 | U15 | IND | 1577 | Ludhiana | 7 | 44 | 47 | 34 |
Final Ranking in Blitz after 9 Rounds
Rk. | SNo | Name | Typ | sex | Gr | FED | Rtg | Club/City | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8 | IND | 1779 | Patiala | 8 | 55 | 60 | 52,25 | |||||
2 | 1 | IND | 1941 | Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) | 8 | 54,5 | 57,5 | 49,75 | |||||
3 | 3 | U15 | IND | 1866 | Jalandhar | 7,5 | 52 | 56,5 | 44,5 | ||||
4 | 17 | U13 | IND | 1688 | Bathinda | 7,5 | 52 | 56 | 44 | ||||
5 | 11 | IND | 1761 | Mansa | 7 | 48,5 | 52,5 | 37,5 | |||||
6 | 2 | IND | 1919 | Ludhiana | 7 | 47,5 | 51 | 38 | |||||
7 | 33 | IND | 1584 | Patiala | 7 | 46,5 | 48,5 | 34 | |||||
8 | 16 | U15 | IND | 1695 | Jalandhar | 7 | 45 | 47 | 33 | ||||
9 | 29 | F11 | w | IND | 1598 | Jalandhar | 7 | 43,5 | 45,5 | 32 | |||
10 | 10 | IND | 1769 | Bathinda | 6,5 | 48,5 | 51,5 | 32,75 |