Deep in Thought: Nihal Sarin surprised his next move against Arjun Erigasi on Sunday, August 10, 2025 in the Quantbox Chennai Grand Master Chess Tournament. Photo Credit: B. Velkani Raj
Nihal Sarin made a poor start to win a disturbed victory over top seed Arjun Erigasi in the fourth round of the Masters section at Quantbox Chennai Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2025 here on Sunday.
Growing rapidly, German Vincent Keyer attracted his tally to 3.5 points with veteran Dutchman Anish Giri and extended the lead in the rest of the region at a full point.
Arjun (ELO 2776), coming out of a win over American Ray Robson in the previous round, found a hard walnut to crack the Competriot Nihal (2692) and went down in 70 tricks.
Nihal, who lost the hands of Vidit Gujratha in the third round, firmly bounced strongly to subdue Arjun in a match which lasted for four hours.
It was a morale boost win for Nihal, which lost two of their first three matches.
After his first win in the tournament, Nihal said, “Today a lot of ups and downs. Arjuna defended like an absolute machine. I finally became very lucky. It was quite difficult for me after yesterday’s game. I just tried my best to inspire me to play in any way.”
In the only other decisive result at the Masters event, Karthikeyyan Murali got better than the Dutch player Jordan Van Forestest in the 46-Move match. Chennai GM, who entered the Masters section after the pullout of Vladdir Fedosave, took up his game after a quiet start to dominate his opponent.
Indian GMS Vidit and V. Pranav divided this point after the 86-mow game.
The all-American match between Rob Robson and Avander Liang ended in a draw after just 26 tricks.
In the Challengers section, Abhimanyu Puranik R. After a solid victory over Varisali, he jumped into the only lead, which has been off-kolar so far.
Meanwhile, Birthday Boy Diptayan Ghosh celebrated GB Harshvardhan with a win and Leon Luke Mendonka has half the point behind the leader.
Results (fourth round): Masters: Karthikeyyan Murali (2) BT Jordan Van Forest (Ned, 1), Ray Robson (USA, 2) Avandder Liang (USA, 2), Nihal Sarin (1.5) BT Arjun Erigasi (2.5), V. Pranav (1.5) to Vidit Gujarathi (2), 3), Giri (Ned, 2).
Challengers: GB Harshvardhan (0.5) Diptayan Ghosh (3), PA. Iniyan (2.5) was lost from Bt Aryan Chopra (1), B. Adhiban (2). M. Pranesh (3), Leon Mendonka (3) Bt D. Harika, Abhimanyu Puranik (3.5) Bt R. Vaishali (1).
Fifth round pairing: Masters: Anish vs Karthikeyan, Vidit vs Kimar, Arjuna vs Pranav, Liang vs Nihal, Van Forestest vs Robson.
Challengers: Vary vs Harshvardhan, Harika vs Abhimanyu, Pranesh vs. Leone, Aryan vs.
Published – August 10, 2025 08:50 pm IST
