Anuj Shrivatri Emerges Victorious at SBI GIC FIDE Rated Rapid Tournament 2026 at IIT Kanpur
On February 7, 2026, Anuj Shrivatri claimed victory at the SBI GIC FIDE Rated Rapid Tournament held at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. This tournament attracted a total of 336 participants, including four International Masters, one FIDE Master, and two Candidate Masters, showcasing a competitive environment for chess enthusiasts.
Tournament Overview
The tournament was organized in a Swiss format, consisting of nine rounds with a time control of 10 minutes plus a 5-second increment. Anuj Shrivatri, the top seed, finished the event with an impressive score of 8 out of 9 points. Despite leading with a perfect score of 8/8 going into the final round, he faced a setback when he lost to Arnav Agrawal, a promising young talent from Uttar Pradesh. Arnav’s victory secured him the second place with a final score of 8/9 points.
Top Performers
In addition to Anuj and Arnav, two other notable players, Aaryan Varshney and Aaditya Dhingra, also finished with scores of 8/9 points. However, they ranked third and fourth, respectively, based on tiebreak criteria. The tournament offered a total cash prize of ₹2,00,000, with Anuj taking home ₹40,000 along with a trophy for his victory.
Anuj Shrivatri’s Winning Streak
This victory marks Anuj’s fourth rated tournament win of the year, demonstrating his exceptional form early in the season. His previous victories include:
- 2nd Khelo Chess India Rapid and Blitz
- 2nd Rejoice Chanakya CTF FIDE Rapid Rating 2026
- SBI GIC FIDE Rated Rapid Tournament 2026
Interview with Anuj Shrivatri
Following his victory, Anuj participated in an interview where he shared his thoughts on the tournament:
Devansh Singh (DS): How does it feel to win this tournament?
Anuj Shrivatri (AS): “It feels great! The tournament was overall well organized, and it was worth it to visit the IIT Kanpur campus.”
DS: Which match was the toughest for you and why?
AS: “Maybe against Aaryan, because after the opening, the position was tense and unclear, and it quickly became complicated.”
DS: What is one lesson this tournament taught you?
AS: “One takeaway was not to relax too early. Before the last round, I was pretty sure that even if I lost, I’d most likely be first. So I wasn’t too focused in the last match, which caused a lot of blunders.”
DS: Anything else you’d like to share, maybe a game from the event?
AS: “Yes, the game with Aaditya Dhingra.” (Anuj won this match.)
Performance of IIT Kanpur Players
The tournament also highlighted the competitive spirit of players from IIT Kanpur, where several participants performed admirably:
- Spandan Pati, the current IITK Chess Champion, scored 7/9 points.
- Divyesh Bhattacharyya also achieved 7/9 points, with six wins and two draws.
- Jayaraman Balasubramanian finished with 7/9 points, securing seven wins and two losses.
Many IITK students participated in their first rated tournament, with some achieving draws or wins against seasoned players, thus gaining official ratings for the first time.
Reflections from the IIT Kanpur Chess Club
The Chess Club at IIT Kanpur expressed their gratitude for the successful organization of the tournament. They noted:
“This tournament wasn’t perfect. We learned a lot. We improvised a lot. We ran on adrenaline and chai for most of the day. But it worked. It proved that IIT Kanpur can host a professional, large-scale, FIDE-rated event!”
The club aims to continue developing a vibrant chess culture on campus, where players of all levels can feel included and inspired.
Future Aspirations
The IIT Kanpur Chess Club plans to scale future tournaments, aiming for larger prize pools, more titled players, and improved event production. They are committed to fostering a supportive environment for chess enthusiasts and look forward to hosting more events that celebrate the game.
Conclusion
The SBI GIC FIDE Rated Rapid Tournament at IIT Kanpur was a resounding success, showcasing the talents of emerging chess players and the organizational capabilities of the IITK Chess Club. With Anuj Shrivatri’s remarkable victory and the participation of many skilled players, this event has set a high standard for future tournaments in the region.
Note: This article is based on the tournament details and interviews conducted on February 7, 2026. The information reflects the competitive spirit and achievements of the participants.
