Nihal Sarin Shines as Unbeaten Champion in 2026 Chess.com Open Play-In Final
Nihal Sarin Shines in Final Play-In of 2026 Chess.com Open
March 25, 2026 – In a thrilling conclusion to the final Play-In of the 2026 Chess.com Open, India’s Grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerged as the only unbeaten player, securing his spot in the upcoming playoffs. Sarin, 17, humorously remarked on his “very tough choice” to face French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave instead of world champion Magnus Carlsen, who awaits the winner of this matchup.
The Play-In featured a nail-biting format where only the top player would qualify automatically, while the second and third-placed competitors would battle it out in a two-game mini-match for the remaining playoff spot. Sarin’s impressive performance saw him finish with a score of 7/9, tying with four other players, but his superior tiebreaks propelled him to victory.
A Dramatic Finish
The final rounds were filled with tension as five players ended up tied at 7/9. Sarin’s path to victory included a stunning win against GM Yahli Sokolovsky, who had been leading the tournament, and a decisive victory over GM Nodirbek Yakubboev. Sarin’s strategic shift to a more cautious style paid off, allowing him to secure draws against GM Vidit Gujrathi and Sargsyan in the final rounds.
Reflecting on his journey through the Play-Ins, Sarin noted, “It was extremely tough! The first two, especially the second, were quite disastrous. But today the quality was much better. I’m much happier with the quality.”
Shant Sargsyan’s Rise
Armenian GM Shant Sargsyan, 24, also made headlines by winning an armageddon decider against French IM Marco Materia to secure his playoff spot. Sargsyan had previously stunned GM Wesley So in the final round, showcasing his remarkable talent and determination.
Sargsyan will now face Carlsen in the playoffs, a daunting challenge that he is ready to embrace. “It’s a great opportunity,” he said, acknowledging the difficulty of the matchup.
The Road Ahead
The playoffs, set to take place from April 23-26, will determine the champion of the Chess.com Open and the qualifiers for the Esports World Cup. With a prize pool of $250,000 and three direct qualification spots on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the chess community eagerly anticipates the upcoming battles, Sarin’s and Sargsyan’s performances have set the stage for an exhilarating showdown. With both players demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience, fans can expect nothing short of a chess spectacle in the coming weeks.
For full standings and updates, visit the Chess.com Open page.