Ahmedabad Railway Division Employee Rahul Sangma Wins International Chess Tournament in Wardha

Rahul Sangma, an International Master working with Western Railway’s Ahmedabad Division, has won the inaugural G. H. Raisoni Memorial Wardha International FIDE Rapid Rating Chess Tournament 2026 in Wardha, Maharashtra, scoring 8.5 points across nine rounds to finish ahead of 292 other competitors from six countries.

Sangma, who holds the International Master (IM) title awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has a current rating of 2,156. He is also an active player and coach with the Western Railway Chess Association (WRSA).

Railway Employee and Chess Coach

Recruited under the Railways’ sports quota, Sangma serves as an Office Superintendent in the Mechanical Department of Western Railway’s Ahmedabad Division, working under the Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer.

Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash congratulated Sangma on the victory and announced plans to organise a special chess training camp for emerging players.

The proposed camp will draw on Sangma’s playing and coaching experience to help young railway chess players develop their skills, learn new strategies and prepare for national and international competitions.

Seven National Titles and International Success

Sangma has won national chess championships seven times across different age categories and has claimed three gold medals at the All India Railway Chess Championship.

His international achievements include a sixth-place finish in a tournament in Spain and a third-place finish at the Asian Championship in Uzbekistan.

Sangma Targets Grandmaster Title

Following his latest tournament victory, Sangma aims to improve his FIDE rating and earn the Grandmaster (GM) title, one of the highest distinctions in competitive chess.