Nihal Sarin sensational at 3rd International President Cup 2024 with a 2809 performance

by Shahid Ahmed - 30/11/2024

GM Nihal Sarin drew with World no.6, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) in the final round to win 3rd International President Cup 2024. Nihal has a plus score against the World Rapid 2021 winner and 44th Olympiad Gold medalist in Classical rated games. Combining the statistics with his top form, Nihal played confidently and made a solid draw to become a clear champion with a 2809 performance. GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB), GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) and GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) scored 7/9 each. They secured second, third and fourth place respectively according to tie-breaks. IM Neelash Saha scored 6/9 to earn his final GM-norm and also finish at eighth place. He is now 14.3 Elo rating points away from becoming India's next Grandmaster. The total prize fund of the tournament was US$ 75000. The top three prizes were US$ 25000 + trophy, $15000 and $7000 each. Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

Impressive Neelash Saha earns his final GM-norm, Rakshitta Ravi scores her fourth IM-norm

IM Neelash Saha scored 6/9, performed at 2695 and gained 27.7 Elo rating points en route his third GM-norm. He is now 14.3 points away from becoming India's next Grandmaster. Neelash defeated GM Timur Gareyev and GM Vitaliy Bernadskiy (UKR), drew with the eventual champion, GM Nihal Sarin in Round 3, GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI), GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB). He secured eighth position overall. Apart from Nihal and Neelash, GM Karthikeyan Murali scored 6/9 to ninth place according to tie-breaks. WGM Rakshitta Ravi scored her fourth IM-norm.

Champion - GM Nihal Sarin 7.5/9 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

GM Nihal Sarin (2676) has a good score 3-2 against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2777) in Classical rated games. This year, they played two rapid games at Tata Steel India this month, they ended in draws. Nihal won the sole Blitz rated game they played at the same event. So going into the final round, Nihal was certainly confident about his chances to win the tournament. He played solid, drew the game and became champion.

Nihal Sarin scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, performed at 2809 and gained 14.4 Elo rating points

Nihal's splendid performance received high praise from the only two-time World Cup winner in history, GM Levon Aronian.

4th GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) 7/9 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

5th GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) 6.5/9 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

L to R: 10th GM Mihail Nikitenko 6/9, 9th GM Karthikeyan Murali 6/9, 8th IM Neelash Saha 6/9 and 7th IM Ortik Nigmatov (UZB) 6/9

IM Neelash Saha lost his final round game against GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2682). However, he still managed to score his third and final GM-norm. He fulfilled his norm requirements after the seventh round. He just needed to face two 2500+ in the last two rounds, the result was immaterial. He drew with 2681-rated GM Jakhongir Vokhidov (UZB) in the penultimate round and lost to 2682-rated GM Javokhir Sindarov (UZB).

IM Neelash Saha scored 6/9, performed at 2695 and gained 27.7 Elo rating points

WGM Rakshitta Ravi scored her fourth IM-norm

WGM Rakshitta Ravi scored 5/9, performed at 2466 and increased her Elo rating by 33.4 en route her fourth IM-norm

Replay Round 9 live commentary | Video: UzChess

Replay Prize distribution ceremony live stream | Video: UzChess

Replay Round 9 games

Round 9 results

Bo.	No.		White	Typ	Rtg	Pts.	Result	Pts.		Black	Typ	Rtg	No.
1	1	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek *)		2777	6	½ - ½	7	GM	Nihal, Sarin		2676	6
2	2	GM	Maghsoodloo, Parham		2712	6	1 - 0	6	IM	Saydaliev, Saidakbar		2473	21
3	4	GM	Sindarov, Javokhir		2682	6	1 - 0	6	IM	Neelash, Saha		2458	27
4	5	GM	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin		2681	6	1 - 0	6	IM	Nigmatov, Ortik		2447	31
5	24	IM	Ayush, Sharma		2464	5½	0 - 1	5½	GM	Yakubboev, Nodirbek		2668	7
6	8	GM	Puranik, Abhimanyu		2652	5	½ - ½	5½	IM	Nitish, Belurkar		2434	40
7	28	IM	Jubin, Jimmy		2453	5	0 - 1	5	GM	Karthikeyan, Murali		2625	9
8	10	GM	Pranesh, M		2580	5	1 - 0	5	WGM	Rakshitta, Ravi		2295	108
9	50	IM	Xu, Minghui		2405	5	0 - 1	5	GM	Gareyev, Timur		2552	11
10	12	GM	Bernadskiy, Vitaliy		2543	5	½ - ½	5	IM	Khubukshanov, Erdem		2443	35

Details

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB2	TB3	TB4	TB5
1	6	GM	Nihal, Sarin	IND	2676	7,5	2809	6	2	52
2	4	GM	Sindarov, Javokhir	UZB	2682	7	2745	6	1	51,5
3	2	GM	Maghsoodloo, Parham	IRI	2712	7	2671	6	2	48
4	5	GM	Vokhidov, Shamsiddin	UZB	2681	7	2662	5	1	45
5	1	GM	Abdusattorov, Nodirbek	UZB	2777	6,5	2700	4	2	51,5
6	7	GM	Yakubboev, Nodirbek	UZB	2668	6,5	2633	5	2	45
7	31	IM	Nigmatov, Ortik	UZB	2447	6	2752	5	3	55,5
8	27	IM	Neelash, Saha	IND	2458	6	2695	4	2	52,5
9	9	GM	Karthikeyan, Murali	IND	2625	6	2632	4	2	50,5
10	19	GM	Nikitenko, Mihail	FID	2490	6	2591	5	1	45,5

Details

Links

Uzbekistan Chess Federation : Official site and fb page

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