Janhavi Soneji Crowned Champion at All India Chess Masters – Season 4 in Mumbai

Janhavi Soneji Crowned Champion at All India Chess Masters – Season 4

Mumbai, May 29, 2026 — In a thrilling conclusion to the All India Chess Masters – Season 4, Janhavi Soneji (1792) emerged as the champion after a tense final round at the Mumbai Chess Centre, hosted at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture on Pedder Road. Soneji secured her title by holding AGM Rajveer Pinkesh Nahar (1801) to a draw, capping off an impressive unbeaten run over eight rounds.

Entering the final round among the tournament leaders, Soneji showcased remarkable consistency and strategic prowess. Playing with the White pieces, she opted for the Scotch Opening, leading to a dynamic battle characterized by opposite-side castling. Both players aggressively sought attacking opportunities against each other’s kings, setting the stage for an electrifying encounter.

As the game progressed, a series of exchanges simplified the position, ultimately resulting in a balanced standoff where neither player could gain a decisive advantage. The draw was sufficient for Soneji to clinch the championship title, solidifying her status as a formidable contender in the chess community.

The title race remained fiercely competitive until the very end. On Board 2, Reyaansh Venkat (1906) and Mayuresh Parkar (1781) played to a crucial draw, while Kush Ajay Agarwal (1835) triumphed over Gaurang Bhandari (1889), finishing strongly among the leading group. Top seed Shreyansh Somaiya (1973) concluded his campaign on a high note, defeating AIM Aakashkumar Yadav (1602).

One of the standout moments of the round came from Om Haresh Murdeshwar (1563), who pulled off a stunning upset by defeating the higher-rated Shardul Kadam Aditya (1917). Other notable results included Raaghav Agarwal’s victory over Yash Kapadi and Om Nilesh Deorukhakar’s win against Saina Nagarkatte, alongside a hard-fought draw between AFM Aryan Sista and AIM Saksham Bhardwaj.

The tournament, organized by the Mumbai Chess Centre, showcased a plethora of memorable performances, exciting upsets, and fierce competition throughout its eight rounds. It provided an excellent platform for both emerging talents and seasoned players to engage in high-quality FIDE-rated classical chess.

With strong participation and competitive games, the All India Chess Masters – Season 4 concluded successfully, leaving players and spectators eagerly anticipating the next edition.

Top Results – Round 8:

• Janhavi Soneji (1792) [6½] ½-½ AGM Rajveer Pinkesh Nahar (1801) [6]
• Mayuresh Parkar (1781) [6] ½-½ Reyaansh Venkat (1906) [6]
• Gaurang Bhandari (1889) [5½] 0-1 Kush Ajay Agarwal (1835) [5½]
• Raaghav Agarwal (1660) [5½] 1-0 Yash Kapadi (1854) [5]
• Shreyansh Somaiya (1973) [5] 1-0 AIM Aakashkumar Yadav (1602) [5]
• Om Haresh Murdeshwar (1563) [5] 1-0 Shardul Kadam Aditya (1917) [5]

As the chess community reflects on this exciting tournament, the anticipation for future competitions continues to grow.