IM P. D. S. Girinath emerged as the champion of the Masters Chess Academy, Kanyakumari 1st International FIDE-rated Open Chess Tournament 2026, held from 3 to 7 September 2026 at Jubilee Hall, Holy Cross College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. Top-seeded International Master P. D. S. Girinath scored an impressive 7.5/8 points to claim the championship. Girinath finished on the same score as Kolla Bhaavan of Andhra Pradesh, who also scored 7.5/8. However, Girinath secured the first place on tie-break, with Bhaavan finishing as the runner-up. Photos: IA M Ephrame

FM Md. Imran scored 6.5/9 to win 29th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field. GM Evgeniy Podolchenko and IM Semetei Tologon Tegin scored 6/9 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The seven-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by Coimbatore District Chess Association at Hotel Alankar Grande in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from 23rd to 29th September 2024. Tournament Coordinator - IA FI M Ephrame writes the tournament report. Photo: IA FI M Ephrame

Sriram Adarsh Uppala scored an unbeaten 7/9 to win 25th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. He also earned his maiden IM-norm in the process. The teenager performed at 2494, gained a whopping 138 Elo rating points and finished a full point ahead of others. IM Alexander Slizhevsky and IM David Gochelashvili scored 6/9 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The top three prizes were - US$ 500, $300 and $200 each. The seven-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at Hotel Le Palace in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from 22nd to 28th August 2024. Tournament Coordinator - IA FI M Ephrame writes the tournament report. Photos: IA FI M Ephrame

Srihari L scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 17th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. He also earned his third IM-norm in the process and became India's latest International Master. The teenager performed at 2584, gained 40.2 Elo rating points and finished a staggering 2.5 points ahead of others. Winner of the last two editions - IM Anton Sitnikov (UKR) and Sai Vishwesh C scored 5.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The six-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by and at Chettinadu Public School and Sivagangai District Chess Association in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu from 6th to 11th February 2024. Tournament Coordinator - IA FI M Ephrame writes the tournament report. Photos: IA FI M Ephrame

IM Anton Sitnikov (UKR) and Lokesh N scored 7/9 each at 16th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. Anton won the tournament as he had beaten Lokesh in the second round. They both finished a full point ahead of the rest. FM Suyog Wagh and FM Mohamed Anees M scored 6/9 each. They were placed third and fourth respectively according to tie-breaks. The six-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by Kanyakumari District Chess Association at Hotel VLR Residency in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu from 30th January to 4th February 2024. Tournament Coordinator and Chief Arbiter - IA M Ephrame writes the tournament report. Photos: IA FI M Ephrame

Hemanth Raam scored 7/9 to win 11th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field, performed at 2478 to earn his maiden IM-norm. He also increased his Elo rating by 72.6 points. IM Muhammad Khusenkhojaev (TJK) scored 6.5/9 to secure second place. FM Harsh Suresh and GM Evgeniy Podolchenko scored 6/9 points each. They secured third and fourth place respectively. IM Semetei Tologon Tegin (KGZ) scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win the 12th edition. He finished a staggering 1.5 points ahead of the field. IM David Gochelashvili secured second place 6/9. IM Sevan Buscara (FRA) edged past FM Mohamed Anees M on tie-breaks to finish third 5.5/9. Photos: IA FI M Ephrame