Panneerselvam Iniyan emerged as the winner of the 2025 Indian Chess Championship, edging out Goutham Krishna on tiebreak to claim his maiden national title.
The 62nd National Chess Championship, an 11-round Swiss tournament with classical time control, took place at Vignan University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, from September 21 to October 1. Although the event did not attract all of India’s top players, it still boasted a massive field of 394 participants, including 14 GMs and 30 IMs.
Top seed Iniyan P entered the competition as one of the pre-tournament favorites, but his path to the title was far from straightforward. Trailing the leaders for most of the way, he faced sole leader Krishnan Sasikiran in the penultimate round. In a game of paramount importance to both players, Iniyan seized his opportunity when Sasikiran faltered in a drawn endgame, failing to find the only move that would have secured a half-point.
Heading into the final round half a point ahead of four rivals, Iniyan drew with Abhijeet Gupta and clinched the title with 9/11. Despite winning his last-round game and catching Iniyan, Goutham Krishna had to settle for silver due to an inferior Buchholz (the first tiebreak criterion).
With this victory, Iniyan now holds the Indian National Champion title in both Classical and Rapid chess, having previously won the rapid championship in March 2025.
As many as six players tied for third on 8½/11, with Sasikiran taking bronze on tiebreaks.
Final standings (chess-results)
Photos: Shahid Ahmed
Official website: apchess.org/