Indian grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi won the title at the Vugar Gashimov Memorial Chess tournament 2023 on Monday after the blitz portion of games by edging past a loaded field at Gabala.

He wrested away the top spot on the final day of the competition, ahead of local favorites like Nijat Abasov, Teimour Radjabov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. The tournament is organised by the Vugar Gashimov Foundation at the Gabala Garden hotel in Azerbaijan.

Vidit had drawn seven of his games while losing one and winning two matches in the rapid time controls to finish second behind Azerbaijan’s Aydin Suleymanli with 11 points in nine rounds. But then, he scored 7/9 in the second round of blitz games to come from behind to claim the title.

Vidit ended the 10-player tournament on top spot with 22 points, while compatriot Arjun Erigaisi was behind by just half a point. Erigaisi claimed 21.5 points after 27 rounds of rapid and blitz games. Erigaisi will next be seen in India at a tournament in Chennai.

“Thrilled to make a comeback on the last day and win the Vugar Gashimov Memorial,” Vidit tweeted after the victory.