Soham Bhattacharyya emerged victorious in the Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 All India Rapid Rating Open, topping the field on tie-breaks after tying with Anustoop Biswas at eight points out of nine. The two-day tournament in Kolkata drew 254 players from across India. Bhattacharyya secured his second title in the event and his first win of 2026.
The Tata Steel Chess Festival 2026 All India Rapid Rating Open concluded on January 8, 2026, at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium in Kolkata, West Bengal. Organized by the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy, the nine-round rapid event featured a time control of 15 minutes plus five seconds increment per move. A total of 258 players registered, with 254 participating from more than eight states, including one grandmaster, one international master, and two women international masters.
Soham Bhattacharyya and Anustoop Biswas both finished unbeaten with 8/9 scores. Bhattacharyya claimed first place via tie-breaks, earning ₹50,000 and a trophy, while Biswas took second with ₹30,000. Entering the final round, Bhattacharyya led alone at 7.5/8, half a point ahead of Biswas and WIM Arpita Mukherjee, who were on 7/8. In the decisive ninth round, Bhattacharyya drew against Mukherjee, while Biswas defeated Soumalya Mondol to secure silver.
Four players tied at 7.5/9 for third through sixth: GM Mitrabha Guha, IM Utsab Chatterjee, WIM Arpita Mukherjee, and CM Nikhil M, ordered by tie-breaks. Guha, the top seed, beat nine-year-old Aayan Gupta in the final round after Gupta's strong performance. Mukherjee stood out as the only woman in the top ten, finishing fifth.
The event offered a ₹300,000 prize fund, with third place receiving ₹20,000. This marked the second consecutive year for the rapid open at this venue, which filled its registration capacity within 12 hours following announcements of participants like Vishy Anand and D Gukesh in the main Tata Steel Chess India event. For Bhattacharyya, it was his second triumph in the Tata Steel Festival and fifth podium finish since 2022. Winners receive their prizes on the final day of the main rapid and blitz tournament, adding prestige amid world-class players.
