Arjun Adireddy convincingly clinches 22nd Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit 2024, Harshad third
FM Arjun Adireedy scored 7/9 to win 22nd Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the competition. IM Alexander Slizhevsky and FM S Harshad scored 6.5/9 each. They were placed second and third respectively according to tie-breaks. Both Arjun and Harshad scored an IM-norm each. It was Arjun's second IM-norm and also his second triumph in the series. For Harshad, it was his final IM-norm. He also went on to win the 23rd edition. He is now a few rating points away from becoming India's next International Master. Arjun will need to score his final IM-norm in an Open tournament to become an IM. He already crossed 2400 in December 2023 FIDE Rating list. Photos: IA R Anantharam
IM-norms for Arjun and Harshad
14-year-old reigning National Junior champion FM Arjun Adireddy of Telangana won the 22nd Tamil Nadu IM-norm closed circuit chess tournament, organised by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association. He scored seven points in nine rounds and besides winning the title, secured an IM-norm and a cash prize of approximately ₹42000 (US$ 500).
Top seed IM Alexander Slizhevsky (RUS) and S Harshad of Coimbatore secured 6.5 points and the former finished runner-up and received ₹25000.
Harshad completed his third IM-norm and needs to reach 2400 rating to get the IM title.
The winner of the 21st edition of the tournament and the Tamil Nadu champion - G Aakash of Coimbatore reversed the first round result of IM Alexander in Round 2. The latter was enjoying a definite advantage until the 21st move. In the Najdorf variation of the Sicilian defence, Aakash capitalised on the weak 25th move by his opponent to make an exchange sacrifice. He offered another knight sacrifice to get back the exchange. The four connected pawns of Aakash against two to Alex paved way for the former’s victory.
S Harshad of Coimbatore, winner of the first IM-norm tournament series was in an attacking mood against his city mate and debutant V S Nandish, the Tamil Nadu under 17 champion in the classical variation of the Sicilian defence. He promoted two of his pawns to checkmate Nandish in 56 moves. With this win, Harshad shot into the lead with 2.5 points from three games.
Arjun Adireedy of Telangana, the national junior champion at the age of thirteen, almost checkmated the Slovakian Grandmaster Manik Mikulas in the Accelerated Dragon variation of the Sicilain defence in the fourth round. Arjun after holding an upper hand in the opening and middle stage erred to hand over the same to Mikulas. In a total winning position, Mikulas was in a hurry to promote his pawn and overlooked the checkmating combination of Arjun’s by his rook, knight and bishop.
The dismal performance of grandmaster Annageldyev Orazly of Turkmenistan continued in the second tournament also. With equal materials on the board in the middle game, he mishandled the pieces against the Delhi school boy Daeevik Wadhawan and had to pay the penalty.
Nandish made many dubious moves against WGM Uuriintuya Uurtsaikh (MGL) who played the Sicilian defence. But when the WGM, who was very comfortable with the proceedings, blundered with a rook move, Nandish seized the opportunity to unleash a few good moves to win a minor piece. The task became easier for Nandish when Uuriintuya exchanged the queens.
Arjun Adireddy brightened his title and IM-norm chances with a fluent win over Nandish in the seventh round. His tally of six points in seven rounds enabled him to lead the table, followed by S Harshad with 5.5 points.
Arjun drew with the top seed IM Alexander Slizhevsky to achieve his second IM-norm; the earlier one was also achieved in the 3rd tournament of the series of the IM-norm tournaments organised by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association. A commendable performance by the National Junior champion, at the age of 14. He needs one more norm from a Swiss tournament for the IM title.
Harshad also made his third IM-norm by splitting the point with GM Manik Mikulas (SVK) and waiting to complete the formality of reaching 2400 rating. It is heartening to note that two out of six Indians have achieved the coveted IM-norms in the tournament and the president of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association Dr. Manickam’s vision is paying dividends.
Debutant Vedant Nagakatte of Maharashtra managed to score five points and increased his rating by 33 points.
Antony, the Chennai District Sports Officer inaugurated the tournament, in the presence of P Stephen Balasamy General Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association.
India's latest Grandmaster P Shyaam Nikhil, himself winner of the 18th tournament in the series, distributed the prizes and motivated the youngsters, in the presence of P Stephen Balasamy, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association and Srinivasan, Treasurer of the association.
Replay all games
Final standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | FM | Adireddy, Arjun | IND | 2301 | 7 | 0 | 27,50 | 5 |
| 2 | 1 | IM | Slizhevsky, Alexander | RUS | 2384 | 6,5 | 0,5 | 26,25 | 5 |
| 3 | 4 | FM | Harshad, S | IND | 2275 | 6,5 | 0,5 | 24,50 | 4 |
| 4 | 6 | GM | Manik, Mikulas | SVK | 2338 | 5 | 1 | 21,00 | 2 |
| 5 | 5 | FM | Nagarkatte, Vedant | IND | 2262 | 5 | 0 | 18,00 | 3 |
| 6 | 10 | FM | Daaevik, Wadhawan | IND | 2324 | 4,5 | 0 | 14,75 | 3 |
| 7 | 9 | Nandish, V S | IND | 2185 | 4 | 0 | 11,00 | 4 | |
| 8 | 7 | WGM | Uuriintuya, Uurtsaikh | MGL | 2214 | 3 | 1 | 8,50 | 2 |
| 9 | 2 | CM | Aakash, G | IND | 2265 | 3 | 0 | 13,00 | 2 |
| 10 | 3 | GM | Annageldyev, Orazly | TKM | 2316 | 0,5 | 0 | 2,50 | 0 |
About the Author
Prof. Rathinam Anantharam is an A-grade international arbiter. Member of FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, Chairman of Titles Commission in All India Chess Federation, Vice President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Chief Arbiter for six world championships, many Asian, International and National Championships.
The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed
