Laxman R R and Mitrabha Guha are cochampions at an Exhibition Blitz Knockout Tournament

by Shahid Ahmed - 22/09/2025

We have already published both team and individual event reports of 37th All India Railway Championship 2025. But that was not the only secret event you will get to know about. There was an eight player Exhibition Blitz Knockout tournament took place after the conclusion of the individual event. There was no prize, rating or glory. It was solely done as the intention was to increase awareness among the local school children. Who knows, some of them might get inspired and become a champion one day themselves. Check out the report and replay the games yourselves, either in a video form or on our replayer board. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

A super-secret event

We have all read about various exhibition events, but rarely we get to witness them. In this report, you get to know about a secret exhibition blitz event which only the players who participated are aware of and the officials. It is not there on chess-results or anywhere else, apart from our youtube channel, fb page and now this report. Enjoy this exclusive tournament. Who knows in the future, we might get to witness faster time controls and/or knockout format in Inter Railway tournaments. If it ever happens, you will know where it all started.

All eight participants of the Exhibition Blitz Knockout Tournament

Quarterfinals

GM Thej Kumar M S (South Western Railway) - GM Mitrabha Guha (Eastern Railway): 0.5-1.5

Only GM Thej Kumar M S and GM Mitrabha Guha played two games as their first game ended in a draw.

GM Laxman R R (Integral Coach Factory) - IM Aronyak Ghosh (Eastern Railway): 1-0

GM Saptarshi RoyChowdhury (Metro Railway) - GM Saptarshi Roy (Eastern Railway): 1-0

GM Sayantan Das (Metro Railway) - IM Suvrajit Saha (Eastern Railway): 1-0

Quarterfinals in progress as Railway officials and local school children spectate the games

Semifinals

GM Mitrabha Guha (Metro Railway) - GM Saptarshi RoyChowdhury (Metro Railway): 1-0

GM Sayantan Das (Metro Railway) - GM Laxman R R (Integral Coach Factory): 0-1

Semifinal games are in progress

Final: GM Laxman R R - GM Mitrabha Guha: 0.5-0.5

The final was between former two-time National Blitz Champion, GM Laxman R R and the reigning National Blitz Champion, GM Mitrabha Guha. Since it was an exhibition event, the draw result stood. Chief Arbiter, Officials and Players were in agreement that there was no need to break the tie. Hence both Laxman and Mitrabha were announced cochampions.

Everyone is watching the games with rapt attention

Teachers, students and officials everyone followed all action up, close and personal

One-Off Blitz

It was planned that the winner of the 37th All India Inter-Railway Individual Champion will face the highest rated player in the field. Thus, IM Himal Gusain (Western Railway) vs GM Diptayan Ghosh (Eastern Railway) match was made. It was One-Off Exhibition Blitz for players and officials to watch. If you are wondering like me what would have happened if Diptayan became champion, who he would have faced then. Well that's anybody's guess. Let's not ponder about what ifs.

GM Diptayan Ghosh vs IM Himal Gusain was not only followed by officials...

...but also by the players present in the prize distribution ceremony while in the background a game from the individual event from this 37th edition was shown on the giant tron