Indian International Master Aryan Varsvani has won the 3rd Lionine Grandmasters Chess Tournament, organised by Lionine Chess Club in collaboration with the Bangladesh Chess Federation. Held after 21 years, the tournament was a rare spectacle for chess enthusiasts. Varsvani scored 7 points out of 9 rounds to claim the title and also achieved a Grandmaster norm—a significant milestone in his career.
Runner-up was Uzbekistan’s GM Abdusalimov Abdimalik with 6.5 points, while Bangladesh’s IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman finished third with 6 points. Fourth place went to Vietnam’s GM Yien Duc Hoa (5.5 points) and fifth to IM Monon Reza (5.5 points).
Top 10 Standings
| Position | Name | Points | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aryan Varsvani | 7 | India |
| 2 | Abdusalimov Abdimalik | 6.5 | Uzbekistan |
| 3 | Mohammad Fahad Rahman | 6 | Bangladesh |
| 4 | Yien Duc Hoa | 5.5 | Vietnam |
| 5 | Monon Reza | 5.5 | Bangladesh |
| 6 | Panisar Vedant | 4 | India |
| 7 | Saklain Mostafa Sajid | 3 | Bangladesh |
| 8 | Rifat Bin Sattar | 3 | Bangladesh |
| 9 | Abu Sufian Shakil | 2.5 | Bangladesh |
| 10 | Tahsin Tajwar Zia | 2.5 | Bangladesh |
All games were held in the Hall Room of Lionine Chess Club at Ranks Nasim Square in Dhanmondi. In the ninth round, Varsvani drew with fellow Indian FM Panisar Vedant.
The closing and prize-giving ceremony was attended by Bangladesh Chess Federation President and former Secretary Syed Suzauddin Ahmed, DIG of Bangladesh Police and Federation Vice President Dr. Shoaib Riaz Alam, acting President of Lionine Chess Club Jebel Rahman Gani, as well as international grandmasters and masters. The winners shared a total prize fund of $1,000, with champion Varsvani receiving $500, runner-up Abdimalik $300, and third-place Rahman $200.