Pankaj Bhat

Pankaj Bhat, a 20-year-old Indian player, is rated 1949 — his current career high and sitting in the top 5% of Indian players. He is progressing steadily with +59 Elo over the past 12 months. 22 rated games in the past year (≈31/year long-term). Recent appearances: 4th DKCA National Level Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament and 23rd RCC International FIDE Rated Classical Cup. Also played 4 rapid (including 34th RCC STS INTERNATIONAL FIDE RATED RAPID CHESS CUP) and 2 blitz events (including 35th RCC STS INTERNATIONAL FIDE RATED BLITZ CHESS CUP) recently. He had 3 career breaks: 29 months (2020–2022, COVID-19 included), 21 months (2022–2024) and 12 months (2024–2025).

At junior level, he reached #85, #82, #79, #48, #31 and #52 nationally in U20, U18, U16, U12, U10 and U8.