Aakash G wins 21st Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit 2024, Manigandan second
The 21st Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024 was an closely fought event. As many as five players finished with the same score 5.5/9. They are - CM Aakash G, Manigandan S S, IM Alexander Slizhevsky, GM Manik Mikulas (SVK) and FM Arjun Adireddy. 13-year-old Aakash won the tournament on tie-breaks. The remaining four were placed second to fifth respectively. The seven-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at Hotel Abu Sarovar Portico in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 21st to 27th July 2024. Tournament Coordinator - IA FI S Paul Arokia Raj writes the tournament report. Photo: S Paul Arokia Raj
Top five score 5.5/9
In an enthralling five-way tie for the title, CM Aakash G, a class 9 student of S E S Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore with 5.5 points from nine rounds was adjudged as the champion via tie-break decided through Direct Encounter in the 21st TN IM-Norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament held at Chennai from 21st to 27th July 2024. The venue was the centrally located at Hotel Abu Sarovar Portico. He relegated Manigandan S S of Madurai to the second spot. IM Alexander Slizhevsky (RUS) stood third.
The event was part of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association’s initiative and endeavor project of organizing 50 IM-norm events in a span of one year. We can also call this as one week – one IM-norm programme. Supported by Government of Tamil Nadu there were twenty events organized in Season 1 from October 2023 to March 2024. It helped the players in a great way in chiseling two IM titles, 8 IM-norms and more than 20 players enhancing their FIDE rating.
Season 2 harbouring next 20 events was flagged off with 21st IM-norm Tournament in Chennai. There were four foreign masters (2 GMs, 1 IM and 1 WGM) and six Indian challenges out of which four were school boys! FM Daaevik Wadhawan and N Lokesh were already holding one IM-norm each.
Sixth seed master Aakash G had a dream run in the tournament by harvesting a brilliant score of 3.5 points out of 4 against foreigners. He had accounted for two GMs, one IM and settled for a draw against a lone WGM thus keeping his chances of securing his maiden norm vibrant and alive.
He skyrocketed into the orbit of its destination but finally missed it by a whisker. Against the Indians, he miserably failed, winning only one, drawing two and losing two. He could manage only 2 points out of 5. All the trouble started for Aakash in round 5 when he slipped into a minus rook and pawn ending against Manigandan S S. Again needing 2 points from the last two games he fumbled in the eighth and penultimate round with white pieces against N Lokesh and drew in the final round to squander away the chance of getting his maiden IM-norm.
Before the start of the final round three players namely Adireddy Arjun, Aakash G and Daaevik Wadhawan were leading the table jointly with 5 points each. While Arjun and Aakash split the point to stay at 5.5 points each, curiously Daaevik succumbed to defeat at the hands of FM Satvik Adiga after over extending in the equal position.
By now three other players namely Manigandan, IM Alexander and GM Manik Mikulas had outmaneuvered their respective opponents to reach 5.5 points to join the five way tie.
In a simple ceremony, GM Vishnu Prasanna felicitated the winners and gave an inspiring speech. Nine more events are in the offing, more and more sensational news are on the cards from Season 2.
Replay all games
Final standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | sex | FED | RtgI | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | TB4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | CM | Aakash, G | IND | 2269 | 5,5 | 2,5 | 23,00 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 2 | 2 | Manigandan, S S | IND | 2085 | 5,5 | 2,5 | 22,00 | 3 | 3 | |||
| 3 | 10 | IM | Slizhevsky, Alexander | RUS | 2384 | 5,5 | 2 | 22,00 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 4 | 9 | GM | Manik, Mikulas | SVK | 2338 | 5,5 | 1,5 | 21,25 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 5 | 6 | FM | Adireddy, Arjun | IND | 2301 | 5,5 | 1,5 | 21,00 | 3 | 3 | ||
| 6 | 3 | FM | Daaevik, Wadhawan | IND | 2324 | 5 | 0 | 22,50 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 7 | 7 | FM | Sathvik, Adiga | IND | 2377 | 4,5 | 0 | 17,25 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 8 | 5 | Lokesh, N. | IND | 2214 | 4 | 0 | 16,00 | 3 | 2 | |||
| 9 | 8 | WGM | Uuriintuya, Uurtsaikh | w | MGL | 2214 | 3,5 | 0 | 12,50 | 2 | 2 | |
| 10 | 1 | GM | Annageldyev, Orazly | TKM | 2316 | 0,5 | 0 | 2,50 | 0 | 0 |
About the Author
Paul Arokia Raj is a Grade-A International Arbiter and FIDE Instructor. He is one of the most reputed arbiters of India. He has officiated many top events. He is a former National Sub-Junior champion and his career high rating was 2205. He was also the coach of University of Madras for nearly 20 years. Best among his products is GM Sundararajan Kidambi. He is now working as Assistant Traffic Manager in Chennai Port Authority and he was All India Major Ports Chess Champion for nearly 20 years. He was also the Tournament Coordinator for the 21st Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024.
The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed
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