Hrithickkesh P R clinches 5th Adith Paulson Memorial Don Bosco Rating Open 2021

by Shahid Ahmed - 14/01/2022

Top seed of the tournament, Hrithickkesh P R, scored 8.0/9 and finished a half point ahead of the competition to win 5th Adith Paulson Memorial Don Bosco Rating Open 2021. Three players - Marthandan K U, Chandar Raju and 40th seed Aadithya Pradeep scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed second to fourth according to tie-breaks. The tournament had a total prize fund of ₹300000 with the first prize being ₹30000 cash, ₹20000 for second and ₹15000 for third. This is Hrithickkesh's first All India Open triumph since 2017. It was the first FIDE rating tournament to take place in Kerala since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Photo: FA Peter Joseph

Top three seeds secure podium finish

Marthandan K U and Aadithya Pradeep are the only two players to remain undefeated among the top ten finishers. 11-year-old Goutham Krishna H scored an impressive 7.0/9 to secure sixth place. His only blemish was in the final round against the eventual champion, Hrithickkesh P R.

Champion - Hrithickkesh P R 8.0/9 with the organizers | Photo: FA Peter Joseph

Hrithickkesh P R's only loss was against the tournament runner-up Marthandan K U in Round 5

Runner-up Marthandan K U 7.5/9 | Photo: FA Peter Joseph

Second Runner-up Chandar Raju 7.5/9 | Photo: FA Peter Joseph

Inaugural moves are being made | Photo: FA Peter Joseph

Ms. Sonia Giri (Irinjalakuda Municipal Chairperson) inaugurated the tournament, presided by Fr. Emmanuel Mevada (Rector, Don Bosco School, Irinjalakuda). The function was delighted with the presence of FA FT Mr. T J Suresh Kumar (Former Indian junior chess team coach), Mr. Govindankutty M S (International Arbiter) and Mr. Francis N P (Inspector of Police). Mr. Peter Joseph. M (Secretary, Chess Association Thrissur) welcomed the gathering, followed by Mr. K T Babu (Chairman, Adith Foundation), expressed the vote of thanks.

The tournament hall at Don Bosco School Irinjalakuda, Kerala | Photo: FA Peter Joseph

Bird's eye view of the playing arena shows the socially distanced boards | Photo: FA Peter Joseph

The tournament was organized by Don Bosco Youth Centre in coordination with Thrissur Chess Academy from 27th and 31st December 2021 at Don Bosco School Irinjalakuda, Kerala. A total of 203 players took part in this nine-round Swiss league Rating tournament which had a time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.

Final Standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	1		Hirthickkesh Pr	IND	2232	8,0	52,0	55,5	47,50
2	3		Marthandan K U	IND	1986	7,5	55,0	58,5	47,50
3	2		Chandar Raju	IND	2031	7,5	53,0	58,0	45,75
4	40		Aadithya Pradeep	IND	1325	7,5	49,5	53,5	43,00
5	4		Anilkumar O.T.	IND	1924	7,0	50,0	54,0	40,00
6	22		Goutham Krishna H	IND	1455	7,0	50,0	53,5	39,00
7	16	AGM	Mani Bharathy	IND	1531	7,0	49,0	53,5	38,50
8	19		Ebin Benny	IND	1487	7,0	49,0	51,0	36,00
9	11		Abdallah M Nisthar	IND	1676	7,0	48,5	53,0	39,00
10	6		Sooraj M R	IND	1863	7,0	45,5	48,5	36,25
11	15		Adithya A Chullikkad	IND	1594	7,0	44,0	48,5	37,75
12	26		Jyothika U R	IND	1438	7,0	41,0	44,5	34,00
13	47		Pournami S	IND	1276	6,5	50,0	51,5	34,75
14	7		Joy Lazar M.A.	IND	1818	6,5	48,0	51,5	34,50
15	8		Anupam M Sreekumar	IND	1798	6,5	43,5	47,5	32,00
16	25		Jojo P John	IND	1444	6,5	42,0	44,5	30,50
17	10		Raveendran C.R.	IND	1679	6,5	41,5	45,5	33,50
18	69		Sreevas S	IND	1200	6,0	48,5	53,5	32,50
19	66		Atul Krishna M	IND	1214	6,0	48,0	51,5	30,75
20	107		Shawn Pravin	IND	1036	6,0	47,5	51,0	28,50
21	37		Giridhar A	IND	1347	6,0	46,5	50,5	29,00
22	33		Sidharth Sreekumar	IND	1395	6,0	46,0	47,5	28,75
23	12		Ramkumar S	IND	1675	6,0	45,5	49,5	29,00
24	13		Unnikrishnan M A	IND	1636	6,0	45,5	48,5	28,50
25	17		Umesh P	IND	1521	6,0	44,5	47,5	27,50