GM Suleymenov Alisher of Kazkhastan crowned the First Chola Chess International Grandmaster Round Robin Chess Tournament- 2026 supported by Chess Gurukul today at Chola Chess, T.Nagar, Chennai today. The champion set a winner’s target of six points from possible 9 and he carried home winner’s purse of Rupees One Lakh. In two way tie for the second place with 5.5 points , IM Vaz Ethen (Goa, India) was adjudged as the first runner up based on Direct Encounter. He became richer by Rupees Seventy Five Thousand. The second runner up was IM Audi Ammeya who received cash award of Rupees Fifty Thousand.
In an enterprising game between IM Audi Ammeya and GM Suleymenov Alisher, the king pawn opening game entered an interesting rook and pawn end game when both players put up a brave show. Ammeya with a pawn down situation made every possible attempt to obtain a creditable draw in 39 moves.
In a long drawn battle IM Vaz Ethen outmaneuvered his rival IM Harsh Suresh with white pieces in Reti Opening. Both played an enterprising game but Ethen proved his supremacy in the king and pawn ending to emerge victorious.
In a glittering closing ceremony Mr. Vellaiyan Subbaiah, Chairman, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company felicitated the winners in the presence of Mr. B.Murugavel, Vice President and Mr. P. Stephen Balasamy, General Secretary, TNSCA , Shri. C.Narendran, Executive Vice President Head CSR Chola and GM R.B.Ramesh, Tournament Director and trainer from Chess Gurukul.
Final Placings
| 1 | GM | Suleymenov, Alisher | KAZAKHSATN | 6 |
| 2 | IM | Vaz, Ethan | IND | 5.5 |
| 3 | IM | Audi, Ameya | IND | 5.5 |
| 4 | GM | Delgado Ramirez, Neuris | PARAGUAY | 5 |
| 5 | IM | Mayank, Chakraborty | IND | 5 |
| 6 | IM | Aronyak, Ghosh | IND | 5 |
| 7 | GM | Boyer, Mahel | FRANCE | 3.5 |
| 8 | GM | Girel, Joseph | FRANCE | 3.5 |
| 9 | IM | Borgaonkar, Akshay | IND | 3 |
| IM | Harsh, Suresh | IND | 3 |


FINAL Report :Senior National Arbiter Seminar, Mohali on 03 & 04 October 2026
Final Report:Senior National Arbiter Seminar & Examination in Guwahati – 02 & 03 September 2026
FIDE World Junior Rapid & Blitz (Open & Girls Under 20)Chess Championships – 2026 in Al Ain, U.A.E. from 1st to 7th November, 2026
Final Report of SNA Seminar & Exam at The Heritage School, Tarapith, West Bengal on 02 & 03 October 2026
Senior National Arbiter (SNA) Seminar & Exam on October 24 & 25, 2026, at the Rotary Club, The Mall, Shimla.
Western Asian Junior/ Girls Chess Championship – 2026 from 22nd to 31st October 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat