Current Australia Champion IM Rishi Sardana has won the 2025 ANU Open with an impressive 5.5/6. After starting the event with 5 straight wins, a quick last round draw against GM Jacek Stopa was enough the ensure first place. A draw on board 2 between Harry Press and FM Vu Ky Ahn Nguyen put Press amd Stopa in a tie for 2nd, where they were joined by IM Junta Ikeda (who beat Masaki Horikawa) and Nomon Vos (who beat CM Hui Li).
Sardana played a tough field on his way to first, beating Press, Ikeda and FM Michael Kethro , and drawing with Stopa. His tournament win was built on the back of victories over Ikeda (rd 4) and Press (rd 5), where he was able to put his opponent under enough pressure to eventually cause them to falter.
The Under 1600 section had an exciting finish, with Nicholas Lee and 8 year old Sanat Hegde playing a dramatic top board clash. Hegde looked to have a clear advantage until Lee was able to drum up enough threats against the Black King to stay in the game. With both sides then exchanging mate threats a double rook and pawn ending was reached, where Hegde hung on long enough to see the game finish in a draw. The result saw the players tied form 1ts, where they were joined by unrated junior Teng Yang, who beat another unrated newcomer, Charles Hou, on the 2nd board.
The tournament attracted a good field of 82 players, with 41 entries in each section. With a total of 11 titled players (including 1 GM and 2IM's) it was one of the stronger editions in recent years. The venue at ANU was once again well received, with both the playing area and surrounding amenities contributing to the success of the event. Thanks must also go to Chief Organiser Shun Ikeda, Chief Arbiter Dr Charles Zworestine, and all the volunteers and helpers from the ACT chess community.
Final standings can be found at https://www.vegaresult.com/vr/4080
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