Soham Kamotra becomes the first International Master of Jammu and Kashmir
FM Soham Kamotra became the first International Master of Jammu and Kashmir. The monumental feat was achieved when he drew with the Africa no.1 GM Bassem Amin (EGY) in the sixth round of 30th Abu Dhabi Masters on 21st August. The draw helped him cross 2400 in the live ratings. The first IM-norm was scored at 22nd Abu Dhabi Masters 2022 in UAE. A little over nine months later, he secured his second IM-norm at Hanoi GM Round Robin 2023 in Vietnam. About eight months later he earned his final IM-norm at 1st SOA GM International Chess Festival 2024. Get to know about Soham's journey towards the IM title. He is also well on track to become the first GM from J&K. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
Final IM-norm and 2400+ at the same event
"I was trying very hard for this title. At a point I thought that, I am lagging behind a lot but finally it happened and it happened where it started. So that's poetically beautiful." - IM Soham Kamotra on what the IM title means to him. "We used to play chess at our home but we didn't really use to know the rules. A school teacher came and they told us that a state tournament is happening. That day I got introduced to chess officially, you can say." - Soham on how he started his journey in chess. Vivek Bharti and Sumit Grover were his first mentors in chess. India got a lot of International Masters in August. Soham is one of the few among them.
First IM-norm: 28th Abu Dhabi Masters 2022
Soham scored his first IM-norm at 28th Abu Dhabi Masters 2022. He defeated GM Ziaur Rahman (BAN), then CM Prraneeth Vuppala and GM Leon Luke Mendonca, drew with IM Rathanvel V S, IM Arash Tahbaz (IRI) and then IM Arjun Kalyan. He scored 4.5/9, performed at 2492 and gained 56.8 Elo rating points.
Soham - Leon, Round 7
In a sharp position, GM Leon Luke Mendonca (2571) blundered 40...Re8?? Soham Kamotra (2251) seized his opportunity 41.Rae1 Qg4 42.Rxe5 Rh2+ 43.Ke3 Rh3+ 44.Kd2 Rh2+ 45.R5e2+ and White won.
Second IM-norm: Hanoi GM Round Robin 2023
A little over nine months later, Soham scored his second IM-norm at Hanoi GM B Round Robin 2023. He defeated GM Swayams Mishra, IM Setyaki Azarya Jodi (INA) and IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman (BAN), drew with GM Tran Tuan Minh (VIE), GM Novendra Priasmoro (INA), IM Dao Minh Nhat (VIE) and IM Tran Minh Thang (VIE). Soham scored an unbeaten 6/9 to finish second overall.
Soham - Swayams, Round 5
Find out the winning continuation for White after 27...Nd3+?? Soham correctly found it and won the game.
Third IM-norm: 1st SOA GM 2024
Almost eight months after scoring his second IM-norm, Soham earned his final one at 1st SOA GM Chess Festival 2024. Soham defeated IM Ritviz Parab and IM Semetei Tologon Tegin (KGZ), drew with GM Adham Fawzy (EGY), IM Ameya Audi and IM Sambit Panda.
Semetey - Soham, Round 10
White made a positional mistake 17.g3? It weakened the light squares on the kingside. Black correctly exploited it 17...Bxf4 18.exf4 Qh5 19.Rfe1 cxd4 20.Bb4 Nf6 21.Be7 Qh3 22.f3 Ng4 23.Qc2 Ne3 24.Rxe3 dxe3 25.Bf6 Rac8 26.Bc3 Bxf3 Black won.
Live rating 2400+ : 30th Abu Dhabi Masters 2024
Six and a half months later, Soham crossed 2400 in the live rating when he drew with the Africa no.1 - GM Bassem Amin (EGY) in Round 6. Soham scored 5/9 and gained 34.2 Elo rating points. His live rating at the end of the tournament is 2416.2.
Speaking with ChessBase India, Soham's coach Swapnil said, "Soham has seen a lot of ups and downs in his career. Seeing his talent, I always felt he should have become an IM sooner. But his main strength is he kept going when time was tough. There were situations when he questioned his decision to continue chess, but he always found strength within him to continue and keep fighting for his title. He is a huge talent, the best Jammu and Kashmir as ever seen. I am sure if he continues working on his chess he will soon become a grandmaster too."
Soham's best achievements
Soham Kamotra has quite a few accolades in his chess career so far. Here are the best ones:
• Gold - Commonwealth Under-18 Open 2022
• Champion - 31st National Under-18 Open 2022
• Bronze - Asian Youth Under-18 Open 2022
• Bronze - Asian Schools Under-17 Open 2021
• Runner-up - 7th National Amateur 2018
• Champion - Jammu and Kashmir State 2024
Replay Soham's games
Video Gallery
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