Dhanush Raghav N S dominates Khannur Group of Institutions 2nd Khannur Rating Open 2025

by Shahid Ahmed - 28/11/2025

Dhanush Ragav N S scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Khannur Group of Institutions 2nd Khannur Rating Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. Four players - IM Aaryan Varshney, Nigash G, Jagajit Sinha and GM Laxman R R scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second to fifth place respectively according to tie-breaks. Dhanush defeated the top seed of the event and eventual runner-up, Aaryan in the penultimate round. The total prize fund was ₹500001. The top three prizes were ₹50001, ₹35000 and ₹20000 along with trophy each. The five-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions at Koundinya Convention Hall in Bengaluru, Karnataka from 30th October to 3rd November 2025. This is Dhanush's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Dhanush's third rating tournament triumph of the year

Dhanush Ragav N S made a perfect start by winning eight games in-a-row. He had a full point lead going into the last round. GM Laxman R R and Jagajit Sinha were the only two players trailing at 7/8 each. Jagajit drew against Dhanush and the latter became champion, the former fourth. The top seed of the event, IM Aaryan Varshney defeated Prasanna Karthick M to secure second place. Nigash G won against Ebin Benny to finish third.

Champion - Dhanush Ragav N S 8.5/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Runner-up - IM Aaryan Varshney 7.5/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Second Runner-up - Nigash G 7.5/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Dhanush Ragav N S scored an unbeaten 8.5/9, finished a full point ahead of the rest and gained 48.6 Elo rating points

4th Jagajit Sinha 7.5/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

5th GM Laxman R R 7.5/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

6th Jayanth Venkatesh 7/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

7th Ayaan Phutane 7/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

8th CM Sudarshan Bhat 7/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

9th Shreyansh Das 7/9 | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Anuraag Khannur - Tournament Director | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

At just 23, Anuraag Khannur has turned a youthful dream into meaningful impact. While completing his final year of MBBS, he has emerged as one of Karnataka’s most trusted chess tournament organizers. Through Khannur Sports Academy, Anuraag has conducted 35+ tournaments, creating opportunities for over 1000 players to compete, grow, and believe in their potential. One of his proudest achievements was organizing the Karnataka State Open Chess Championship, which served as a selection event for the National Championship.

Sahana Kulkarni - Chief Guest and Sponsor | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Sahana Kulkarni, invited as the Honourable Chief Guest and a sponsor, elevated the event with her presence. A dynamic serial entrepreneur and the COO of CHESS KLUB, she leads the academy empowering children globally. CHESS KLUB is recognized among the Top 100 Franchise Investment Opportunities in India. She was recently honoured as Brainpreneur of the Year at the Successpreneur Awards, supported by the Government of Telangana.

Prizes by Paramount Chess | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Paramount Chess enriched the event by sponsoring first place prizes across all age categories, offering – 17" vinyl tournament chess sets and 10" wooden laminated chess sets.

Trophies for the prize winners | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Chief Arbiter - IA K Murugasundaram | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Suresh Babu of Panchajanya Chess Academy | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

This tournament was conducted in proud collaboration with Panchajanya Chess Academy, founded by Mr. Suresh Babu, an accomplished FIDE Arbiter and passionate chess mentor. His academy is dedicated to nurturing players at every level — from beginners to advanced competitors. Mr. Suresh Babu currently serves as the Joint Secretary of the Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA), and his guidance and support played a pivotal role in the smooth and successful execution of this tournament

Arbiters and Organizing team | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

The tournament hall at Koundinya Convention Hall in Bengaluru, Karnataka | Photo: Praveena N / Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions

Thanks to Praveena N for sharing photographs and information about the tournament.

A total of 372 players including a GM and two IMs took part from various parts of India and four from the USA. The five-day nine round Rating Open tournament was organized by Panchajanya Chess Academy and Khannur Group of Institutions at Koundinya Convention Hall in Bengaluru, Karnataka from 30th October to 3rd November 2025. The time control of the event was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	sex	FED	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB5	TB6
1	5		Dhanush, Ragav N S			IND	2065	TN	8,5	51	55	51,25	8	4
2	1	IM	Aaryan, Varshney			IND	2496	DL	7,5	52,5	55	43	7	3
3	6		Nigash, G			IND	2060	TN	7,5	50,5	55	44,75	7	3
4	13		Jagajit, Sinha	U13		IND	1924	AS	7,5	50	53,5	43,25	7	3
5	2	GM	Laxman, R.R.			IND	2276	ICF	7,5	49	53	41	7	3
6	10	AIM	Jayanth, Venkatesh	U13		IND	1939	TN	7	53	57,5	41,75	6	3
7	17		Ayaan, Phutane	U09		IND	1912	KA-BNG	7	52	57,5	42,5	7	4
8	3	CM	Sudarshan, Bhat			IND	2215	KA-BNG	7	50,5	56	42,5	6	3
9	90		Shreyansh, Das	U09		IND	1720	KA-BNG	7	46,5	49,5	36	6	2
10	35		Rejath, Renjith	U16		IND	1837	KL	7	45,5	50	37,75	6	2
11	7	FM	Dutta, Joydeep			IND	2038	WB	7	45,5	50	37,5	6	3
12	23		Mohammed, Tharig S			IND	1881	TN	7	45	49,5	37,75	5	2
13	203	AFM	Kamesh, Kavin	U11		USA	1488	USA	7	44,5	48	35,5	7	4
14	32		Aneesh, Adiga	U16		IND	1847	KA-BNG	7	44	48,5	37,25	6	3
15	11		Abhinav, Anand	U11		IND	1939	KA-BNG	7	44	46,5	35	5	2
16	27		Siva, Adithyan S	U16		IND	1861	TN	7	43,5	46,5	35,5	7	3
17	18		Ebin, Benny			IND	1900	KL	6,5	50	54	36	6	2
18	24		Prasanna, Karthick M	U16		IND	1865	TN	6,5	49	53,5	37	6	2
19	30		Anirudh, R			IND	1854	TN	6,5	49	53	36,25	5	2
20	33		Pranav, Ganesh Prabhu	U13		IND	1847	TN	6,5	47,5	52	36,5	4	1
21	16	WCM	Rajanya, Datta	S17	w	IND	1915	WB	6,5	47,5	50,5	35,5	5	1
22	12		Adharva, P T	U16		IND	1924	TN	6,5	47	51	36	4	1
23	58		Siddhi, Rao	F13	w	IND	1774	KA-BNG	6,5	47	51	33,75	6	2
24	77		Ishaan, Bhansali	U11		IND	1741	KA-BNG	6,5	46,5	51	34,5	6	3
25	44		Nikhil, T L	U16		IND	1809	TN	6,5	46	49	33,25	5	3