Candidate Master Naitik Mehta of Gujarat scored his 2nd IM Norm at the Kanizsa Open 2026. Naitik scored 4.5/8 points to earn his 2nd norm in an Open tournament. Naitik secured both Norms in the same month; he scored his 1st Norm at the 19th Arad Open Grand Prix held in Arad, Romania, from 3rd to 9th August. In the Kanizsa Open, Naitik was on 4.5/8 points, and in the last round his opponent didn't show up; he got a walkover, but he had already secured his norm in 8 rounds.
Naitik with his 2nd IM Norm
Naitik scored 4.5/8 points, and he also increased his rating by 44.2 points, taking his Rating to 2362!
Norm Certificate
Check out this annotated game by Naitik
Replay All Games of Naitik
We wish Naitik the very best for his upcoming tournaments. Given his phenomenal form securing two IM norms in a single month, it is only a matter of time before he scores his final norm and achieves the coveted International Master title. Keep going, Naitik!
