Karthik Venkataraman dominates Tsaghkadzor Open 2024
GM Karthik Venkataraman scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 to win Tsaghkadzor Open A 2024. The reigning National champion, finished a full point ahead of the competition. GM Igor Lysyj and FM Erik Hakobyan (ARM) scored 6.5/9 each. They secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund combining A and B group of the tournament was AMD 8000000. The top three prizes were AMD 1800000 (≈US$ 4640), 1400000 (≈$3600) and 100000 (≈$2575) along with a medal each. The seven-day nine round Rating tournaments were organized by Chess Academy of Armenia together with “Royale Signature” LLC and the Chess Academy Club at Eighty Eight Hotel and Spa in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia from 30th September to 6th October 2024. This is Karthik's third overall, second rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Armenian Chess Federation
Karthik's second victory of the year
Second seeded, GM Karthik Venkataraman was the sole leader 6.5/8, heading into the last round. He defeated GM Mamikon Gharibyan (ARM) to finish a full point and become a clear champion. GM Igor Lysyj drew with GM Aleksey Goganov to secure second place. FM Erik Hakobyan (ARM) won against IM Ameya Audi to claim third place. Group B witnessed the participation of 128 players. The combined total (Group A and B) participation was 206.
Mamikon - Karthik, Round 9
GM Karthik Venkataraman (2581) invaded White's camp with his queen 36...Qa3 37.Nd3 keeps everything defended. However, his opponent, GM Mamikon Gharibyan (ARM, 2472) made a positional mistake 37.Nd7?? transferred his knight to the wrong side of the board 37...Qc3 38.Nb8 Nd2 Black could have played this in the previous move to get the b4-pawn 39.Qd1 Ne4 40.Qe2 Qxb4 41.Nxc6 Qc3 42.Qxb5?? Qc1+ 43.Kh2 Nxf2 things started falling apart for White and Black went on to win the game.
A total of 78 players including 10 GMs, 8 IMs and a WIM took part from eight countries across the world in Group A (≥2000) in this seven-day nine round Rating Open tournament. It was organized by Chess Academy of Armenia together with “Royale Signature” LLC and the Chess Academy Club at Eighty Eight Hotel and Spa in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia from 30th September to 6th October 2024. The time control of the event was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 15 minutes with 30 seconds increment per move.
Final standings in A
| Rk. | SNo | Name | Typ | sex | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | w-we | K | rtg+/- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | GM | Karthik, Venkataraman | IND | 2581 | 7,5 | 45 | 48 | 5 | 1,43 | 10 | 14,3 | ||
| 2 | 1 | GM | Lysyj, Igor | FID | 2589 | 6,5 | 47 | 51,5 | 4 | -0,26 | 10 | -2,6 | ||
| 3 | 17 | FM | Hakobyan, Erik | U18 | ARM | 2386 | 6,5 | 40 | 42,5 | 4 | 1,14 | 20 | 22,8 | |
| 4 | 11 | GM | Goganov, Aleksey | RUS | 2463 | 6 | 46,5 | 51 | 5 | 0,24 | 10 | 2,4 | ||
| 5 | 6 | GM | Lobanov, Sergei | FID | 2506 | 6 | 46,5 | 50 | 4 | -0,30 | 10 | -3 | ||
| 6 | 4 | GM | Andriasian, Zaven | ARM | 2558 | 6 | 46 | 49,5 | 4 | -0,38 | 10 | -3,8 | ||
| 7 | 9 | IM | Davtyan, Artur | ARM | 2467 | 6 | 44,5 | 49 | 5 | -0,67 | 10 | -6,7 | ||
| 8 | 26 | FM | Sahakyan, Aleks | U18 | ARM | 2267 | 6 | 43 | 47 | 4 | 2,59 | 20 | 51,8 |
