Indian Grandmaster M.R. Lalit Babu emerged victorious at the Mumbai International Grandmaster Chess Tournament 2025, edging out Armenian GM Mamikon Gharibyan on a razor-thin tie-break score after both players finished with 8 points from 9 rounds. The tournament concluded at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai, with Babu’s final-round win over top-seeded Georgian GM Lavin Pantsulaia proving decisive.
Tie-Break Drama and Prize Glory
While Gharibyan also secured a final-round win against Indian GM Neelotpal Das, his tie-break score of 54 fell just short of Babu’s 54.5, handing the Indian the champion’s trophy and ₹4 lakh prize. Gharibyan took home ₹3 lakh for his runner-up finish.
Indian Dominance Across Categories
- Deepan Chakravarthy (India) secured 5th place, earning ₹1.25 lakh
- In the junior category, Candidate Master Madhesh Kumar claimed the title with 8 points, defeating Vyom Malhotra in the final round
- Advik Agrawal and Aansh Nerurkar finished second and third, winning ₹1.5 lakh and ₹1 lakh respectively
- Sannidhi Bhat was named Best Female Player, receiving ₹45,000 and a trophy
- Rachit Gurnani and Mysha Perwez were recognized as the best Mumbai boy and girl players, each awarded ₹30,000
A Special Win for Lalit Babu
Speaking after the win, Lalit Babu described the title as “special,” having battled illness during the tournament. The 32-year-old, who last won a major title at the Thailand Open 2024, now aims to re-enter the ELO 2600 club and qualify for elite global events.
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