Dinesh Rajan M clinches Aix-en-Provence Dole Trophy Below 2200 International 2024, Sham R second
Dinesh Rajan M scored 7.5/9 to win Aix-en-Provence Dole Trophy Below 2200 International 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Sham R and Elise Tomasi (FRA) scored 7/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of three tournaments was €40000, €3120 for Group B. The top three prizes were €800, €550 and €350 along with a trophy each. It was organized by Echiquier du Roy René in Aix-en-Provence, France from 20th to 28th July 2024. This was Dinesh's first tournament victory of the year. Dinesh's younger brother - GM Pranesh M won the Above 2100 section. Photo: Eric Schneider
Indians dominate the podium, brothers claim two tournaments
Three players - Quentin Massardo (FRA), Dinesh Rajan M and Roman Durand-Benmoussa (FRA) were the leaders 6.5/8 each, heading into the last round. Quentin and Roman lost to Dinesh and Sham respectively. Elise Tomasi (FRA) scored a victory against Remy Rayne (FRA). Dinesh became a clear champion, Sham second and Elise third. Dinesh has more than one reason to be delighted. His younger brother, GM Pranesh M won the Group A (>2100).
Thanks to GM Yannick Gozzoli, the reigning France champion, for sharing the photographs.
A total of 84 players including two IMs took part from ten countries across the world in this nine-day nine-round Swiss League Rating Open B (<2200) tournament. It was organized by Echiquier du Roy René at Pasino Grand in Aix-en-Provence, France from 20th to 28th July 2024. The time control of the tournament was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
Final standings in Below 2200
| Pl | Nom | Elo | Cat. | Fede | Ligue | Club | Pts | Tr. | Bu. | Perf | |
| 1 | DINESH RAJAN M | 1967 F | JunM |  | 7½ | 39½ | 46½ | 2176 | |||
| 2 | SHAM R | 1982 F | SenM | | 7 | 41½ | 50½ | 2195 | |||
| 3 | TOMASI Elise | 2041 F | JunF |  | CVL | C'Chartres Echecs | 7 | 41 | 50½ | 2172 | |
| 4 | m | ADRIAN Claude | 2149 F | SepM | | EST | Vandoeuvre-Echecs | 6½ | 42 | 50½ | 2140 |
| 5 | DURAND-BENMOUSSA Roman | 1996 F | MinM | | PAC | L'Echiquier du Roy René | 6½ | 42 | 50½ | 2078 | |
| 6 | DELAPLACE Mathias | 2048 F | CadM | | PAC | Marseille-Echecs | 6½ | 41 | 49½ | 2128 | |
| 7 | MASSARDO Quentin | 2036 F | SenM | | PAC | Cassis Echecs | 6½ | 41 | 49½ | 2096 | |
| 8 | BEDHOUCHE Rayan | 1988 F | MinM | | PAC | L'Echiquier du Roy René | 6½ | 32½ | 39 | 2018 | |
| 9 | SALIMOVA Asal | 1882 F | SenF |  | 6 | 44½ | 53 | 2090 | |||
| 10 | BERGER Justin | 1993 F | JunM | | IDF | Clichy-Echecs-92 | 6 | 44 | 50 | 2089 |
