Chess: Rithvik Bags Bronze in Spain

Hyderabad:In a commanding, loss-free display, Telangana’s Grandmaster Raja Rithvik bagged the second runner-up trophy (bronze medal) at the prestigious Pontevedra International Chess Championship in Pontevedra, Spain.

Representing Hyderabad, the young Grandmaster amassed 7 points from 9 rounds in a fiercely contested field of 92 elite players drawn from across the globe, including France, Greece, India, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, Cuba, Ukraine, Mexico, Portugal, Brazil, Bulgaria and Iran. Showcasing remarkable tactical precision, Rithvik went through the tournament without a single defeat, notching five wins alongside four draws.

The event culminated in a tight three-way finish for top honours, with IM Muthaiah Al (India), IM Rodriguez Hernandez Luis Daniel (Cuba) and Raja Rithvik (India) all finishing level on 7 points apiece. The final standings were settled on tie-break: IM Muthaiah (46.67) was crowned champion with the gold medal, IM Rodriguez (46) walked away with the silver, while GM Rithvik (44.11) rounded off the podium with the bronze.

Currently pursuing his Engineering studies at K. L. University, Hyderabad, Rithvik hones his craft at the RACE Chess Academy under veteran coach N. Rama Raju, with additional guidance from Ukrainian Super Grandmaster Alexander Goloshchapov, who mentors him online.

Notably, this triumph comes close on the heels of another podium finish — Grandmaster Rithvik had earlier won the silver medal at the prestigious Menuires International Chess Championship in France. Back-to-back medal-winning performances across two international championships, in France and now Spain, are a testament to the young Grandmaster’s remarkable consistency.

The Telangana Chess Association extended heartfelt congratulations to GM Rithvik on this splendid achievement on the global stage. Rithvik continues to do Telangana and India proud, and his unbeaten run in Spain — part of a remarkable 18-game unbeaten streak spanning two tournaments — stands as a testament to his world-class credentials. Having already represented the country at the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa and collected numerous medals at the National, Commonwealth and Asian levels, this bronze medal marks yet another shining milestone in an already illustrious career.