Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Aug 14: Vincent Keymer made history at the Chennai Grand Masters 2025 by securing the title with a round to spare, becoming the tournament’s first-ever sole champion. The 20-year-old German grandmaster sealed the deal with a draw against Dutch GM Jorden van Foreest, as other results confirmed his uncatchable lead.
Keymer’s commanding performance in the prestigious nine-round event also pushed him into the world’s Top 10 on the live rating list — a career milestone and a major breakthrough on the international chess scene.
“This is very special for me,” Keymer said after his game. “Winning early gave me the confidence to stay focused and calm. Breaking into the Top 10 has been a long-time goal, and to do it while winning such a strong event makes it even more meaningful.”
Now in its third edition, the Chennai Grand Masters is India’s strongest classical chess tournament. Organised by MGD1, it features two 10-player round-robins — the Masters and Challengers — and offers a prize pool of Rs 1 crore. Keymer takes home Rs 25 lakh and earns 24.5 FIDE Circuit points, vital for qualifying for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
Despite having already clinched the title, Keymer said he’s staying focused for the final round: “The job isn’t finished. I’d like to maintain my spot in the Top 10, which means I need at least a draw tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, all five Masters games on Day 8 ended in draws — a rare full split — keeping the fight for the remaining podium spots intense. Indian stars Arjun Erigaisi and Karthikeyan Murali, set to face off in the final round, are among the contenders for second and third places, with tight margins promising a dramatic finish.
In the Challengers section, GM Pranesh M pulled ahead with a key win over GM Harika Dronavalli, taking his score to 6.5/8. Hot on his heels, GM Abhimanyu Puranik defeated GM Diptayan Ghosh, while GM Leon Luke Mendonca held GM Pa Iniyan to a draw to stay in contention. Wins for GM Adhiban Baskaran and GM Aryan Chopra rounded out the day, setting up a thrilling final round in both sections.