Sriram Adarsh Uppala convincingly wins 28th Tamil Nadu IM-norm CC 2024, Dhruva second and Aakash third
Sriram Adarsh Uppala scored 7/9 to win 28th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit 2024. He finished a full point ahead of the rest and also secured his second IM-norm in the process. Dhruva Thota and CM Aakash G scored 6/9 each. They were placed second and third respectively as Dhruva defeated Aakash in the final round and spoiled his norm chances. Sriram suffered his sole loss of the event against Aakash in Round 2. The seven-day ten-player round-robin tournament was organized by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at Hotel Alankar Grande in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu from 15th to 21st September 2024. Tournament Coordinator - IA FI S Paul Arokia Raj writes the tournament report. Photo: S Paul Arokia Raj
Top five score 5.5/9
Two titles and two IM-norms in a span of four weeks. That was the feat achieved by Sriram Aadarsh Uppala in the Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournaments which is being organized by the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association and supported by the Government of Tamil Nadu for the last one-year in various cities of Tamil Nadu. The National Under 17 Champion, Uppala had annexed the title of 25th edition in Chennai and 28th edition in Coimbatore and as a bonus has secured his first and second IM-norm.
The 28th edition of TN IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament, 2024 was flagged off at Hotel Alankar Grande, Coimbatore on September 15 by Dr. Manickam, President, the guiding force of Tamil Chess.
Seventh seed Akash put up a sterling performance in the first half of the event and this put him in either in the sole lead or in the company of leaders throughout the proceeding of the tournament. Out of five Indian players who had entered the fray with a hot pursuit for IM-norm, two players bowed out of race in the early part of the tournament. However, three other Indian youngsters Sriram Aadarsh Uppala, CM Aakash G and Dhruva Thota kept their chance for their IM-norm till the end of the tournament. Last three rounds namely Round 7, 8 and 9 were very crucial for these three norm aspirants. At the end of sixth round, Aakash G was maintaining sole lead with 4.5 and he needed 2.5 points from the remaining three rounds to make his maiden IM-norm. His opponents in three rounds were GM Manik Mikulas, GM Tair Vahidov and Dhruva. Sriram and Dhruva were behind the leader with 4 points each. They both needed three points from remaining three rounds! Dhruva's opponents were IM David Gochelashvili, Sriram and Aakash. Uppala's opponents were Manik, Dhruva and Gochelashvili. That means the three players have to meet with each other and in all probability one will bow out of race from the norm prospect.
Curiously, all the three defeated their respective foreign opponents in the seventh round to keep their chance for IM-norm alive. Aakash needed 1.5/2 while Uppala and Dhruva had to score 2/2. Unfortunately in the individual encounter between both in the eighth and the penultimate round, the lady luck smiled on Uppala eliminating Dhruv from the race. Aakash who settled for a draw against Manik needed a desperate win against Dhruva in the final round.
Before start of the ninth and the final round Aakash and Uppala shared the lead with 6 points each with Dhruva occupying the second spot with 5 points. Final round battle line was drawn with Uppala facing Gochelashvili and Aakash pitted against, Dhruva. Both the leaders had to score full point for a norm as well as for the championship. Uppala played an elegant middle game hunting his opponent's king with his queen, rook and knight. With less than a minute left in his clock, Uppala demonstrated a great skill in taming the opponent king in the remaining time.This superficial victory carried him to the winner's podium with 7 points and also as an additional bonanza of second IM-norm. The overnight leader Aakash made opening flaws in his French Defense thereby squandering away his chance of obtaining maiden IM-norm by going down to Dhruva.
Sriram Aadarsh Uppala by crowning the IM-norm Closed Circuit title second time in a month became richer with US$ 500. Dhruva Thota tied up for second place with 6 points with Aakash G but was adjudged as the first runner-up with a cash award of US$ 300. The second runner-up Aakash G carried home a prize of US$ 200.
India’s latest GM Pranesh was the Chief Guest during the valedictory function and Dr. M. Manickam, President, TNSCA and sponsor of the event also felicitated the winners.
Quite interestingly out of 28 IM-norm Closed Circuit events so far organised by the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, 15 IM-norms (crossing the halfway mark) and 4 IM titles have been secured by the participants. That way the purpose of holding IM-norm events fortnightly has been fulfilled.
Final standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | sex | FED | Rtg | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | TB4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Sriram Adarsh Uppala | IND | 2333 | 7 | 0 | 27,25 | 6 | 3 | ||
| 2 | 8 | Dhruva Thota | IND | 2342 | 6 | 1 | 23,25 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 2 | CM | Aakash G | IND | 2278 | 6 | 0 | 24,75 | 5 | 3 | |
| 4 | 10 | GM | Podolchenko Evgeniy | BLR | 2338 | 5 | 0 | 19,75 | 2 | 2 | |
| 5 | 3 | WIM | Tejaswini G | w | IND | 2135 | 4,5 | 0,5 | 19,50 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 | 7 | GM | Manik Mikulas | SVK | 2316 | 4,5 | 0,5 | 18,25 | 1 | 1 | |
| 7 | 4 | Dinesh Rajan M | IND | 2258 | 4 | 0 | 15,00 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 8 | 6 | GM | Vahidov Tair | UZB | 2345 | 3,5 | 0 | 13,25 | 1 | 0 | |
| 9 | 9 | IM | Gochelashvili David | RUS | 2279 | 3 | 0 | 12,50 | 1 | 0 | |
| 10 | 5 | GM | Annageldyev Orazly | TKM | 2105 | 1,5 | 0 | 5,50 | 0 | 0 |
About the Author
Paul Arokia Raj is a Grade-A International Arbiter and FIDE Instructor. He is one of the most reputed arbiters of India. He has officiated many top events. He is a former National Sub-Junior champion and his career high rating was 2205. Best among his products is GM Sundararajan Kidambi. He is now working as Assistant Traffic Manager in Chennai Port Authority and he was All India Major Ports Chess Champion for 22 years. He was also the Tournament Coordinator for the 21st and 28th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024.
The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed
