In a thrilling conclusion to one of the strongest open tournaments of the year, Grandmaster Panneerselvam Iniyan of India clinched the 2nd Dole Trophy – Pasino Grand Aix 2025 Masters title, defeating Poland’s rising star GM Jan Malek 1.5–0.5 in a rapid playoff.
Held in the scenic city of Aix-en-Provence, France, the Dole Open 2025 brought together a star-studded field of 295 players from 44 countries, including 41 Grandmasters. After nine rounds of grueling classical chess, both Iniyan and Malek topped the leaderboard with 7.5 points, forcing a playoff to determine the champion.
The Playoff Drama
According to the tournament format, the tiebreak consisted of two rapid games (15 minutes plus 3 seconds increment). The first game ended in a tense draw, with both sides navigating complications carefully. In the second game, Iniyan showcased his endgame finesse, gradually squeezing out a win with clinical precision. With that, the 22-year-old Indian Grandmaster sealed the championship, earning the €8,000 first prize.
“Congratulations to Iniyan, his family and his team,” the organizers posted after the final. And rightly so, it was a hard-earned victory against an inspired opponent.
Two Paths to the Top
While Iniyan arrived at the playoff as the higher-rated player (FIDE 2558), Jan Malek, just 17 years old, arguably played the tournament of his life. Entering as the 70th seed with a rating of 2499, the Polish prodigy punched well above his weight, finishing with a remarkable performance rating of 2747.
Malek’s campaign included stunning victories over top seeds like GM Nils Grandelius, GM Aydin Suleymanli, and GM Pavel Eljanov. He didn’t lose a single classical game in the event and proved that his newly minted Grandmaster title (awarded in early 2025) was no fluke.
Iniyan, meanwhile, had a steadier path. He won six games and drew three, including important final-round victories over GM Marco Materia and IM Jakub Seemann, both of whom were in excellent form. His performance rating of 2690 was a testament to his consistency against strong opposition.
A Career Milestone
For Panneerselvam Iniyan, this is another important feather in his cap. The Tamil Nadu native, who became India’s 61st Grandmaster in 2019, has had a busy and successful year. Earlier in 2025, he finished joint first at the Cappelle-la-Grande Open, narrowly missing the title on tiebreak.
With the Dole Trophy now added to his resume, Iniyan continues to rise among India’s deep bench of elite players. At just 22, he’s a strong contender in any open event he enters.
Malek: A Star in the Making
Though Malek fell short in the playoff, his run in Aix-en-Provence might be remembered as a breakout moment. His aggressive style, maturity under pressure, and composure against elite opponents make him one of Europe’s most promising teenagers.
A former youth champion in multiple formats, Malek only received his GM title this year. But with a tournament like this under his belt, the sky is the limit.
Final Standings (Top 5 after 9 rounds):
| Rank | Name | Country | Rating | Points | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1* | Iniyan, Pa | 🇮🇳 India | 2558 | 7.5 | 2690 |
| 2 | Malek, Jan | 🇵🇱 Poland | 2499 | 7.5 | 2747 |
| 3 | Eljanov, Pavel | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 2675 | 7 | 2717 |
| 4 | Mendonca, Leon Luke | 🇮🇳 India | 2603 | 7 | 2690 |
| 5 | Garifullina, Leya | 🇷🇺 Russia | 2450 | 7 | 2673 |
Iniyan won the title via playoff.
About the Dole Open
Hosted by Échiquier du Roy René and part of the World Championship cycle, the Dole Open Masters 2100+ section is known for its strong field and scenic setting. With €30,000 in prize money and classical time controls, it attracts some of the most ambitious talents globally.
In this 2025 edition, the tournament not only delivered high-level chess but also captivating narratives, from youth rising to veterans holding firm.
With his Dole Open victory, Iniyan has signaled that he is not just consistent, but also clutch, ready to shine when it matters most.
And for the 17-year-old Malek? The future looks so bright.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
