Pranav Anand convincingly clinches President’s Cup of the Republic of Tajikistan 2025

by Shahid Ahmed - 29/11/2025

GM Pranav Anand scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win President’s Cup of the Republic of Tajikistan Group A (≥2200) 2025. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Eight players scored 6.5/9 each. Among them, GM Sergey Drygalov and GM Nikita Afanasiev were placed second and third according to tie-breaks. GM Bharath Subramaniyam H and GM Sankalp Gupta were placed sixth and eighth respecitvely. The total prize fund was US$ 30000. The top three prizes were US$ 10000 + trophy, 8000 and 5000 along with a medal each. The seven-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by Tajikistan Chess Federation at Conference Hall of Istiqlol Hotel in Dushanbe, Tajikistan from 10th to 16th November 2025. This is Pranav's second overall, first individual triumph of the year. Photo: Tajikistan Chess Federation

Top class performance by the top seed

The top seed of the event, GM Pranav Anand was the sole leader 6.5/8, heading into the final round. Half a dozen players were trailing him by a half point at 6/8 each. Pranav drew against IM Erdem Khubukshanov to become a clear champion. GM Bharath Subramaniyam H defeated IM Vugar Manafov (AZE) to finish sixth. IM Khumoyun Begmuratov (UZB) lost to GM Sankalp Gupta and the latter finished eighth. The total participation combining both groups was 201, 80 in Group A (≥2200) and 121 in Group B (≤2199).

Champion - GM Pranav Anand 7/9 | Photo: Tajikistan Chess Federation

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Sergey Drygalov 6.5/9, 1st GM Pranav Anand 7/9 and 3rd GM Nikita Afanasiev 7/9 | Photo: Tajikistan Chess Federation

Pranav - Drygalov, Round 8

Position after 35...Bd1??

GM Pranav Anand (2581) correctly found 36.e6!+- h4 37.Qc7 Be2 38.Rf4 Qe3 39.Ne4 Qd4 40.Rxf7+ Rxf7 41.Qxf7+ Kh6 42.Qf4+ Kg7 43.e7 and it's over.

GM Pranav Anand scored an unbeaten 7/9, finished a half point ahead of the field and gained 9.7 Elo rating points

The winner's trophy which GM Pranav Anand received | Photo: Tajikistan Chess Federation

A total of 80 players including 12 GMs, 18 IMs and a WGM took part from 12 countries across the world in Group A (≥2200). The seven-day nine round Rating tournament was organized by Tajikistan Chess Federation at Conference Hall of Istiqlol Hotel in Dushanbe, Tajikistan from 10th to 16th November 2025. The time control of the event was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move.

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB2	TB3	TB4	TB5	TB6
1	1	GM	Pranav, Anand	IND	2581	7	2671	5	1	51	47,5
2	3	GM	Drygalov, Sergey	RUS	2560	6,5	2646	5	2	54	50
3	9	GM	Afanasiev, Nikita	RUS	2511	6,5	2628	4	1	56	51
4	19	IM	Shubin, Kirill	FID	2454	6,5	2600	4	1	52	47,5
5	54	FM	Putrenko, Kirill	FID	2306	6,5	2599	5	1	49	46
6	2	GM	Bharath, Subramaniyam H	IND	2573	6,5	2593	6	2	50,5	46,5
7	13	IM	Khubukshanov, Erdem	FID	2492	6,5	2588	4	1	52	47,5
8	4	GM	Sankalp, Gupta	IND	2557	6,5	2557	5	2	47,5	43,5
9	8	GM	Uskov, Artem	FID	2513	6,5	2544	4	1	52,5	48
10	27	IM	Manafov, Vugar	AZE	2421	6	2570	4	1	52,5	48