Aarush Bhat awesome at 29th RCC Rapid Rating Cup 2025 with a perfect score

by Shahid Ahmed - 06/01/2026

13-year-old Aarush Bhat scored a perfect 9/9 to win 29th RCC Rapid Rating Chess Cup Open 2025. He finished a full point ahead of the competition. Govind Prabhu and Aneesh S C scored 8/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹15000, ₹10000 and ₹7000 along with a trophy each. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Rao's Chess Corner at Canara High School, Urwa in Mangaluru, Karnataka on 14th December 2025. This is Aarush's third overall, second rating tournament triumph of 2025. Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Aarush's second rating tournament triumph of his career

Aarush Bhat made a perfect start by winning eight games in-a-row. He had a full point lead going into the final round. Govind Prabhu, Samarth Bhat, Aneesh S C and Shriram were the four players trailing him at 7/8 each. Despite needing only a draw to become a clear champion, Aarush went for the maximum and defeated Shriram to become the champion with a 100% score. Samarth lost to Govind and the latter finished third. Aneesh won against Vihaan to claim third place. Differently abled CM Samarth J Rao scored an impressive 7/9 to finish seventh. Rao's Chess Corner is run by Karnataka's top chess couple - IM Sharan Rao and WIM Isha Sharma.

Champion - Aarush Bhat 9/9 | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Runner-up - Govind Prabhu 8/9 | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Second Runner-up - Aneesh S C 8/9 | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd Govind Prabhu 8/9, 1st Aarush Bhat 9/9 and 3rd Aneesh S C 8/9 | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Aarush Bhat during one of his games | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

Aarush Bhat scored a perfect 9/9, finished a full point ahead of the field and gained 106.4 Elo rating points

CM Samarth J Rao scored an impressive 7/9 to finish seventh | Photo: Rao's Chess Corner

For more photos, click here.

Interview with Karnataka's strongest chess couple and Rao's Chess Corner Founders - WGM Isha Sharma and IM Sharan Rao | Video: ChessBase India

A total of 204 players including an IM took part from all over the country and one from Sri Lanka. The one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament was organized by Rao's Chess Corner at Canara High School in Mangaluru, Karnataka on 14th December 2025. The time control of the event was 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	FED	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	6	AIM	Aarush, Bhat	U13	IND	1869	Kar	9	53,5	58,5	58,5
2	27		Govind, Prabhu		IND	1577	Kar	8	53	57	50,25
3	14	AFM	Aneesh S C,	U16	IND	1740	Kar	8	45	48	41
4	10		Arjun U, Prabhu		IND	1807	Kar	7,5	47,5	51,5	40,25
5	3	AGM	Lakshith B Salian,		IND	1933	Kar	7	56	60	43,5
6	13	CM	Samarth, J Rao		IND	1756	Kar	7	52,5	55,5	40,75
7	1	IM	Ramnathan, Balasubramaniam		IND	1996	Tn	7	51	56	40,5
8	79	ACM	Samarth Bhat,	U13	IND	1448	Kar	7	48,5	49,5	34,5
9	20		Shriram,		IND	1657	Kar	7	47,5	54,5	38,5
10	57		Vihaan Aadarsh Lobo,	U13	IND	1505	Kar	7	47	51	38
11	26	AFM	Samhith Jossy Lobo,	U11	IND	1583	Kar	7	46	50	36
12	15		Abdul Rahim, A S	S60	IND	1722	Tn	7	45	48,5	37,5
13	7	AIM	Farhaan, M		IND	1865	Tn	7	43,5	47	33,5
14	5		Ajeesh, Antony		IND	1874	Kl	7	40,5	47,5	33,5
15	2		Dhanush, Ram M		IND	1961	Kar	6,5	55,5	60,5	40,5
16	8	AIM	Advaith U P,	U16	IND	1839	Kar	6,5	52,5	58	40,5
17	18		Aayiu, Atindrya Shetty	U11	IND	1673	Kar	6,5	47,5	51,5	34,75
18	11		Vihaan Shetty,	U13	IND	1785	Kar	6,5	47	51	34
19	37		Dhanvin, P Vinod	U16	IND	1544	Kl	6,5	45,5	49,5	34
20	9		Pangal, Gopalkrishna Nayak		IND	1811	Kar	6,5	45	49,5	33,75