Dushyant Sharma creates history by becoming the first International Master from Punjab
18-year-old Dushyant Sharma is the answer to a long-awaited question. He became the first International Master from Punjab on 1st February 2022. He defeated IM Artem Sadovsky (RUS) to cross the 2400 barrier in the live ratings to earn the coveted title. He had already earned all three of his IM-norms by October 2021. The land of five rivers has witnessed Arvinder Preet Singh become the world champion at World Amateur Under-2300 in 2018 and Ashwani Tiwari became the first FM in 2006. This coveted IM-title has finally made a breakthrough in Punjab chess. Dushyant's journey towards GM-title continues as he is now 4.5/5 at IM Mix Hotel Putnik 20 in Novi Sad, Serbia. We hope this inspires a lot of players in Punjab to take up chess and do well. Photo: Rupali Mullick
A dawn of a new era in Punjab chess
"I am pleased to have finally crossed the rating, it has been a long wait, but I did not play well enough in earlier events. From 2300 in 2018 to 2151 in 2019 and now finally 2400. It has not been an exactly smooth ride, but the process has given me a lot of joy. Being the first IM from Punjab, a state where resources for chess are scarce, despite all the odds, I have finally achieved a milestone and I hope to grow more from this point. The journey has not ended, but it has just started off. I would like to thank my parents and my main trainer Vishal sir and other trainer Swapnil Dhopade sir who have believed in my abilities and supported through troubled times." - Dushyant Sharma on becoming India's latest International Master.
Dushyant Sharma had crossed 2300 for the first time in December 2017. However, his rating dropped to 2157 in February 2019. The boy strengthened himself and once again climbed back the 2300 mountain and crossed it in September 2021. He has annotated several games of him including from the ongoing IM Mix Hotel Putnik 20.
First IM-norm
Dushyant scored his first IM-norm at Pardubice Open 2019 in Czech Republic. He made an unbeaten start scoring 4.0/5. Then he lost the the sixth round game and finished the event with three draws. He scored 5.5/9 and performed at 2509, including a win over then WGM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL), draws with IM Piotr Piesik (POL), IM Aleksandr Ostrovskiy (USA), IM Levy Rozman (USA) and IM Tomas Kraus (CZE).
Dushyant - Nurgyul, Round 5
Find out the best continuation for White after 28...Nf8.
Second IM-norm
In August 2021, Dushyant scored his second IM-norm at Put Svile 5 IM Round-Robin in Novi Sad, Serbia. He scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win the tournament and finished 1.5 points ahead of the competition. He defeated GM Miroljub Lazic (SRB), IM Gojko Laketic (SRB) and IM Slobo Vratonjic (SRB), drew with IM Vishal Sareen.
Dushyant - Lazic, Round 2
20...Bc6 is not a good move. Black needed to play 20...Bd8. Find out the best continuation for White.
Third IM-norm
Two months after scoring his second IM-norm, Dushyant earned his final IM-norm at Third Saturday 217 IM Round Robin in Novi Sad, Serbia. He defeated GM Bosco Abramovic (SRB), GM Vladimir G Kostic (SRB), GM Miroslav Markovic (SRB), GM Sinisa Drazic (SRB), IM Milan Mrdja (SRB) and drew with IM Dejan Leskur (SRB).
Dushyant - Abramovic, Round 7
White has a substantial advantage in the above position. Find out the best continuation.
Live rating 2400
Dushyant scored an unbeaten 4.5/5 to win Open Hotel Putnik 19. He gained 24.6 Elo rating points to take his live rating to 2393.6.
He crossed 2400 in the live ratings when he beat IM Artem Sadovsky (RUS) in Round 2 of UM Mix Hotel Putnik 20. Currently, he is sharing the lead with FM Nemanja Zivkovic (CRO) 4.5/5. Dushyant's live rating is now 2420.2
Dushyant - Popchev, Round 1
What should Black capture here - c4-pawn or e4-knight?
Dushyant is training with IM FST Vishal Sareen and GM Swapnil Dhopade. We reached out to both of them and got their thoughts on his achievement.
"Okay this was overdue and I think again the pandemic was to blame. He had made his first norm at Pardubice open in 2019 July. Given that it has taken almost three years to complete the title. Better late than never. And I take this as a stepping stone to higher laurels... which obviously needs much hard work!"
"Dushyant is a talented kid. We started working 4 years ago and I mainly focused on his calculation skills.
Over the years, he has improved his capacity to work for long hours. The previous year, he told me that he wants to become an IM as quickly as possible. I am happy to see that he has achieved his aim and has become the first IM from Punjab! Would love to see him become a GM too 🙂"
Replay Dushyant's games
Edit 04.02.2022: More games added including from the ongoing IM Mix Hotel Putnik 20