MUSCAT – The Muscat Nights International Chess Championship 2026 concluded on Friday with wide international participation and a high level of competition, as Indian players dominated the classical and rapid events across both the over-2000 and under-2000 rating categories.
Organised by the Oman Chess Committee, the championship was held from January 14 to 24 at the Al Amal Club Hall and featured 270 male and female players representing 35 countries, marking one of the most internationally diverse editions of the tournament.
In the open category for players rated over 2000, Indian Grandmaster Leon Luke Mendonsa claimed first place with 6.5 points after a consistent performance throughout the rounds. He was followed by compatriot Pranesh M in second place, while Bulgarian Arkadij Naiditsch secured third. Russia’s Mikhail Mozharov finished fourth, India’s Mayank Chakraborty fifth, Egypt’s Ahmed Adly sixth, Iran’s Radin Yadegar seventh, Türkiye’s Umut Ata Akbas eighth, India’s Inyan Pa ninth, and Kazakhstan’s Alisher Sulemenov completed the top ten, reflecting closely contested standings until the final round.
Read More
- Oman’s national soccer team finishes second at Asian Beach Games final
- Jatinder’s career-best 130 sets up Oman’s 102-run win over Nepal in rain-hit match
- Oman Beach Volleyball Team finishes fourth at Asian Beach Games
- Indian golf legend, former Indian Open champion Vijay Kumar passes away
- FIFA raises payout of World Cup to $871 million, tightens discipline rules
In the under-2000 category, India’s Raghav Srivathasav won the title after topping the standings with eight points. The UAE’s Humaidan Mohammed Al Zaabi finished second with 7.5 points, level with Syria’s Laith Malham in third. Sudan’s Asim Ali Al-Obeid placed fourth, followed by Iraq’s Ali Mahdi Al-Kinani in fifth. Iran’s Seyed Emaddin Mousavi finished sixth with seven points, ahead of Oman’s Salem Alian Al-Mashikhi in seventh and Uzbekistan’s Shakhnoza Sabirova in eighth, in a competition that remained highly competitive until the closing rounds.
The rapid chess competition, played over 11 rounds with a time control of three minutes plus two seconds per move, was won by India’s Mayank Chakraborty. Egypt’s Adham Fawzy finished second, followed by India’s Pranesh in third and Iran’s Radin Yadgar in fourth place.
Among the Omani participants, Mohammed Al Mashikhi was named best Omani player in the over-2000 category, with Salem Al Amri finishing as the second-best Omani player. In the under-2000 category, Mohammed Al Riyami won the award for best Omani player, while Anah Al Isai received the award for best Omani female player.
