Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Indian International Master Ameya Audi continued his impressive run on the European chess circuit, clinching the Ceske Budjovice IM 2025 title with an unbeaten performance and 7.5 points from 10 rounds.
Seeded fourth, Audi outplayed several top contenders, including GM Rasik Vitezslav, FM Topncik Bruno, FM Had David, Lang Simon and Lee Jayden (all Czech). Strategic draws against GM Haba Petr, CM Ocelak Jakub (CZE) and FM Marakovits Nico (AUT) helped him seal the title with a 1.5-point lead over runner-up Marakovits (6 points). FM Apoorv Kamble finished third with 5.5 points.
This win adds to Audi’s impressive record at Ceske Budjovice, where he earlier won the Open A Championship in 2023 and shared first in the 2024 IM event (2nd on tie-break).
Audi also excelled at the Vaujany Open 2025, France, finishing third on tie-break with 6.5/9, tied with IM Anuj Shrivatri. IM Mohammad Nubairshah won the event with 7 points. Audi held top seed GM Hicham Hamdouchi and IM Shrivatri to draws, and defeated IM Estremera Panos Sergio, IM Di Nicolantonio Lucas, among others, in a field of 53 players from 13 nations.
Earlier this season, Audi scored 6.5 points and finished 8th in the Teplice Open A 2025, featuring 150 players, including 61 titled participants from 28 countries. IM Vaclav Finek (CZE) won the event.