Rahulkumar Rohit Dominates Jyoti CNC 1st Below 1800 Classical Rating 2026

Final Round Clash

After the penultimate round, Rahul was already leading the tournament with 7.5/8. In the final round, he was paired up against Patel Suyogkumar M and won that game with the white pieces to become the champion of Jyoti CNC 1st Below 1800 Tournament. Dr Kanani Parth R and Samriddh Khare secured 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.

Interview with Rahulkumar Rohit

Devansh Singh: How does it feel to win this tournament?
Rahulkumar Rohit: It feels incredible. Ever since the Jaipur tournament in June last year, where I missed the championship in the final round, I had been dreaming of this moment. Last month at the LBHM Pune tournament, it happened again. I came so close but missed the title in the final round. So, finally winning this championship makes it even more special.

It wasn't easy because I was the top seed, and naturally, everyone wanted to beat the player on Board 1. That brought extra pressure throughout the tournament. One thing that really helped me was a lesson I've learned from my Guruji, Prabodh Swamiji Maharaj, to remain calm in every situation, no matter how difficult it is. That mindset helped me handle the pressure, make better decisions on the board, and stay focused throughout the event.

Another major goal for this tournament was to cross the 1800 FIDE Classical rating. I'm delighted that I achieved that as well by gaining around 38 FIDE rating points. Winning the title and crossing 1800 in the same tournament makes this one of the biggest milestones of my chess journey so far.

DS: Which match was the toughest for you and why?
RR: My toughest game was the 7th-round encounter against Surajbhansingh Chandel. He was the 5th seed of the tournament, an experienced player from Madhya Pradesh, and also a well-known chess coach.
Before the game, I prepared by studying his online games. I noticed that he had experience playing the Tarrasch Variation against the French Defence, and he also had a very wide opening repertoire, including the Caro-Kann, Sicilian, and French Defence. Because of that, it was difficult to predict what he would choose against me, so my preparation had to be flexible.

The game itself was very complicated, with several critical moments. I had to stay calm under pressure and keep looking for practical chances instead of forcing things. Eventually, I managed to seize my opportunity and finished the game with a nice attacking checkmate. Looking back, I feel this was the turning point of the tournament. Winning such a difficult game against a strong opponent gave me a lot of confidence going into the final two rounds.

DS: What is one lesson/takeaway this tournament taught you?
RR: This tournament reminded me that every game has something to teach you. After analyzing my games, I realized there are still a few weaknesses that I need to work on if I want to reach the next level. The biggest lesson was to never stop fighting. Even when the position isn't ideal, if you stay focused and keep searching for opportunities, the game can still turn in your favor. That fighting spirit helped me score some crucial points in this tournament.

DS: Anything else you'd like to share, maybe a game or two from the event
RR: The game I'd like to highlight is my 7th-round win against Surajbhansingh Chandel. It was one of the most exciting games of the tournament for me.

DS: How was the overall experience of playing at this event?
RR: The overall experience was excellent. I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Maulik Raval, the organizing team, and Jyoti CNC Group for conducting such a well-organized tournament. The playing conditions were excellent, and the food and accommodation were also of very high quality, allowing the players to focus entirely on their games. I was fortunate to travel with a few close chess friends who kept motivating and supporting me throughout the tournament, which made the entire experience even more enjoyable.

I would also like to express my gratitude to my coach, Kartavya Anadkat, for his constant guidance and support. A special thanks to my friends Falgun Purohit and Parth Thakkar for helping me prepare before the tournament and encouraging me throughout the event. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr.Bhavesh Patel and the entire Gujarat State Chess Association team for consistently organizing such FIDE-rated tournaments in Gujarat. Their continuous efforts provide invaluable opportunities for players to gain experience, improve their ratings, and grow in their chess journey.

Most importantly, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to My Guruji, Prabodhswamiji Maharaj. His teachings have always inspired me to remain calm, focused, and humble, and I truly believe his blessings played a significant role in this achievement. Finally, I would like to thank my family for always believing in me and supporting me throughout my chess journey.

A record 454 players took part in this 3-day FIDE Rating classical chess tournament in just 18 days of announcement. The tournament was organised by Jyoti CNC Automation Limited-Rajkot & Jyoti Foundation, Rajkot, in association with Gujarat State Chess Association.

Final Ranking after 9 Rounds

Details