Menuires Chess 2026 brought great news for Indian chess as Grandmaster S. Rohith Krishna won the gold medal and Grandmaster Raja Rithvik secured the silver medal at the Menuires International Chess Championship in France. The tournament ended on 19 July 2026 and featured talented players from several countries competing in a challenging nine-round event. Both Indian players remained unbeaten throughout the competition and finished with seven points each, with Rohith Krishna claiming first place on the tie-break score.

India Continues Its Strong Chess Journey

India has become one of the strongest nations in world chess over the past few years. Young Grandmasters and experienced players have consistently delivered impressive performances in international tournaments. The success of Rohith Krishna and Raja Rithvik at the Menuires International Chess Championship is another example of India’s growing influence in the sport.

Both players showed excellent preparation, calm decision-making, and consistent play across all nine rounds. Their strong performances against experienced international opponents helped India secure both the gold and silver medals in the open category.

The achievement comes at a time when Indian chess is gaining worldwide attention, with several young stars making their mark in global competitions.

Menuires International Chess Championship

The tournament was part of the 1st Open International d’Échecs des Menuires, held from 11 July to 18 July 2026 at Le Break des Menuires, located in the beautiful French Alps. The scenic mountain venue attracted players from different countries, creating a highly competitive international event.

A total of 86 players participated in the championship. The competition followed a nine-round Swiss-system format, allowing players with similar scores to face each other in every round. This format keeps the tournament competitive from the opening round until the final game.

The event featured experienced Grandmasters, International Masters, and rising young players, making every round an important challenge.

Rohith Krishna Claims the Gold Medal

Grandmaster S. Rohith Krishna from Tamil Nadu produced a consistent performance throughout the tournament. He completed all nine rounds without losing a single game and finished with seven points.

Since both Rohith Krishna and Raja Rithvik finished with the same number of points, the title was decided using the tournament’s tie-break system. Rohith Krishna earned a tie-break score of 43, which placed him ahead of Rithvik and secured the championship title.

Winning an international tournament in Europe is an important milestone for any chess player, and Rohith Krishna’s success reflects his growing strength at the highest level of competitive chess.

Raja Rithvik Secures Silver

Grandmaster Raja Rithvik from Telangana also enjoyed an excellent tournament. Entering the championship as the fourth seed, he remained unbeaten and scored seven points through five wins and four draws.

One of the biggest moments of his campaign came in the ninth and final round, where he defeated French Grandmaster Maxime Lagarde, who had an international rating of 2622. Rithvik entered the event with a rating of 2521, making the victory against a higher-rated opponent an impressive achievement.

His final tie-break score of 41.5 placed him just behind Rohith Krishna, earning him the silver medal after an outstanding tournament.

Strong Competition from International Players

The championship featured talented players from many countries, creating a competitive environment throughout the event. Every round presented new challenges, with players needing to prepare carefully for opponents with different playing styles.

French Grandmaster Omelja Artem finished in third place with 6.5 points, earning the bronze medal after a strong overall performance. Several experienced international players also competed, making the tournament an excellent opportunity for rising Grandmasters to test themselves against high-level opposition.

The close standings at the top of the table showed how competitive the event remained until the final round.

The Importance of Tie-Break Scores

Chess tournaments often see two or more players finish with the same number of points. In such situations, organisers use tie-break systems to determine the final ranking.

At the Menuires International Chess Championship, Rohith Krishna and Raja Rithvik both scored seven points after nine rounds. The title was therefore decided using the official tie-break calculation, where Rohith Krishna’s score of 43 placed him ahead of Rithvik’s 41.5.

Tie-break methods reward players based on the overall strength and performance of the opponents they faced during the tournament. This system helps determine a winner when players finish with identical scores.

Why the Swiss-System Format Is Popular

The Menuires tournament followed the Swiss-system, one of the most widely used formats in chess competitions around the world.

Unlike knockout tournaments, players are not eliminated after losing a game. Instead, everyone continues playing all scheduled rounds while facing opponents with similar scores. This format provides more opportunities for players to recover from early setbacks and rewards consistent performance across the entire tournament.

Because every game can influence the final standings, players remain motivated throughout the event.

India’s Rising Presence in International Chess

Indian chess has grown rapidly in recent years, with many young players achieving international success. Grandmasters from different parts of the country are regularly winning tournaments and improving their world rankings.

Rohith Krishna and Raja Rithvik have both shown steady progress through strong performances in national and international competitions. Their success in France adds another important achievement to India’s growing list of chess victories.

The country has also produced several exciting young talents who continue to compete successfully against some of the world’s strongest players. This steady rise reflects the increasing popularity of chess in India and the strong support available for developing talented players.

A Memorable Tournament in the French Alps

The Menuires International Chess Championship combined high-quality competition with one of Europe’s most beautiful mountain locations. Held at Le Break des Menuires in the Savoie region of the French Alps, the tournament attracted players from different countries and provided an exciting week of classical chess.

The event showcased strategic battles, unbeaten performances, and close competition until the final round. Rohith Krishna’s gold medal, Raja Rithvik’s silver medal, and the impressive performances from players across the field made the championship one of the notable international chess tournaments of the summer, further highlighting India’s growing strength on the global chess stage.