Belous Vladimir is Chennai Open 2016 Champion, GM Norm for Vijayalakshmi

Grandmaster Belous Vladimir (Russia) emerged the Chennai Open 2016 Champion with 8.5 points after the tenth and final round of the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament 2016 for Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy, held at Nehru Stadium, Chennai. Belous Vladimir received Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy and the winner's purse of Rs. 200000 (approx Euros 2721) from Dr Rajendra Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Youth Welfare & Sports Development, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Sharing the second spot with 8.0 points were Grachev Boris (Russia) and Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (India) respectively. In crucial final round games, Belous Vladimir (Rus) defeated Dzhumaev Marat (Uzb), tournament leader Solodovnichenko Yuri (Ukr) went down to Grachev Boris (Rus), while Indian flag bearer Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman brought down Mozharov Mikhail (Rus). Showing fine form right through, Vijayalakshmi achieved her Grandmaster Norm, scoring 2.5/3 in the last three rounds against 2600 plus opponents.

Showing fine form right through the event, Vijayalakshmi achieved her Grandmaster Norm, scoring 2.5/3 in the last three rounds against 2600 plus opponents. Vijayalakshmi's star performance came up with six wins and four draws counting for a 2573 rating performance. Wins over GMs Nguyen Duc Hoa (Vietnam), Demchenko Anton, Mozharov Mikhail (both Russia) helped her gain 30 ELOs.

Earlier, it was Ukraine Grandmaster Solodovnichenko Yuri who set the trend, as he occupied the top board from round three and was there till the last round. He was trifle unlucky to lose the final game, that possibly snatched away a big title for him. Defending champion Popov Ivan, had it tough, when he could score only 1.5/4 in the final four rounds, finishing 21st place.

Champion Belous started with a draw, but came up with crucial wins when required. His fortuitous penultimate round win over Indian Grandmaster Deepan Chakkravarthy, put him on track for the title. Grabbing the chance that came his way, in the all-important final round, Belous stunned veteran Dzhumaev Marat emerging Chennai Open 2016 champion.

The 214 player, ten round Swiss tournament, which had the confirmed participation of 20 Grandmasters, 2 Woman Grandmasters, 23 International Masters and 71 FIDE titled players came to a grand conclusion. Cash prizes worth Rs 1100000 (approx. Euros 14964) were awarded to the winners by Dr Rajendra Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Youth Welfare & Sports Development, Government of Tamil Nadu along with Dr M Manickam, President, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association and D V Sundar, Vice President, FIDE. Present in the dais were Arjuna Awardee Manuel Aaron, V Hariharan, Hon. Secretary, All India Chess Federation and B Murugavel, Vice President, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association.

Final Standings: 1 Belous Vladimir (Rus) 8.5, 2-3 Grachev Boris (Rus), Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (Ind) 8.0, 4-7 Solodovnichenkov Yuri, Tukhaev Adam (both Ukraine), Ernst Sipke (Ned), Gabrielian Artur (Rus) 7.5, 8-10 Mozharov Mikhail (Rus), Bernadskiy Vitaliy (Ukr), Dzhumaev Marat (Uzb) 7.0 points

Round 9: Solodovnichenko shares lead, IM Norm for Kumar Gaurav

Grandmasters Solodovnichenko Yuri (Ukraine) & Belous Vladimir (Russia) shared the lead with 7.5 points after the ninth and penultimate round of the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament 2016 for Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy, held at Nehru Stadium, Chennai here today.

Four players closed in on the leaders at 7.0 points viz., Mozharov Mikhail (Russia), Dzhumaev Marat (Uzbekistan), Grachev Boris (Russia) and Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (India) respectively.

Earlier, 15-year-old Bihar lad Kumar Gaurav did himself and country proud, snatching the first Norm of the event. Holding International Master Ramnath Bhuvanesh to a draw, Kumar Gaurav made his maiden International Master Norm scoring 6.0 points from nine rounds.

Going into the final round, three players are holding Norm chances viz., Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (GM Norm), Rathanvel V S and Erigaisi Arjun (both IM Norm). All three need to win their final round game to achieve the subject Norm. Vijayalakshmi faces GM Mozharov Mikhail of Russia and Rathanvel V S takes on GM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam, while Erigaisi Arjun squares off against fellow Indian International Master N R Visakh.

In a day of twin upsets, Vijayalakshmi scored over GM Demchenko Anton of Russia while International Master Ramanathan Balasubramaniam defeated GM Czebe Attila of Hungary. The exciting final round is scheduled for tomorrow, with cash prizes worth Rs.1100000 (Rupees Eleven Lakhs only) waiting to be won.

IM Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (2351) - GM Demchenko Anton (2596)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nf3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 d6 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. e4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Re8 10. Re1 Nc5 11. Rb1 Bd7 12. Bf4 Ng4 13. h3 Ne5 14. Bf1 Qc8 15. Kh2 Ned3 16. Bxd3 Bxd4 17. Bf1 Bg7 18. Nd5 c6 19. Nc3 Be5 20. Bxe5 dxe5 21. Qd6 b6 22. Red1 a5 23. b3 Be6 24. a3 Ra7 25. b4 axb4 26. axb4 Rd7 27. bxc5 Rxd6 28. cxd6 Qa8 29. Rxb6 Qa3 30. Nb1 Qc5 31. Rb2 Ra8 32. Kg1 Kf8 33. Nc3 Rd8 34. Rbd2 Qa5 35. Na2 Ke8 36. Nc1 Qb4 37. Na2 Qa3 38. Nc1 g5 39. Kg2 Qb4 40. Na2 Qc5 41. Be2 Ra8 42. Nc1 h6 43. d7+ Kd8 44. Nd3 Qa5 45. Ne1 Ra7 46. Nc2 Qc3 47. Ne3 Ra1 48. Bg4 Rxd1 49. Rxd1 Bxc4 50. Nxc4 Qxc4 51. Bf5 Qb4 52. g4 Qa3 53. h4 gxh4 54. Rh1 Kc7 55. Rxh4 c5 56. g5 h5 57. Rxh5 Qa8 58. Rh1 c4 59. Rc1 Qa4 60. Rb1 Qa5 61. Rd1 Kd8 62. Rh1 Ke7 63. Rh8 1-0

Round 9 results (Indians unless specified) Mozharov Mikhail (Rus) 7 drew with Solodovnichenko Yuri (Ukr) 7.5, Deepan Chakkravarthy J (6.5) lost to Belous Vladimir (Rus) 7.5, Grachev Boris (Rus) 7 bt Bernadskiy Vitaliy (Ukr) 6, Dzhumaev Marat (Uzb) 7 bt Popov Ivan (Rus) 6, Ernst Sipke (Ned) 6.5 drew with David Alberto (Ita) 6.5, Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman (7) bt Demchenko Anton (Rus) 6, Sivuk Vitaly (Ukr) 6.5 bt Rathanvel V S (6), Tukhaev Adam (Ukr) 6.5 bt Thakur Akash (5.5), Gabrielian Artur (Rus) 6.5 bt Srinath Rao S V (5.5), Neverov Valeriy (Ukr) 6.5 Muthaiah A L (5.5), Czebe Attila (Hun) 5.5 lost to Ramanathan Balasubramaniam (6.5)

GM Grachev Boris (Russia) facing GM Bernadskiy Vitaliy (Ukraine)


GMs Mozharov & Solodovnichenko at the start of the game

 
GM Mozharov Mikhail (Russia)


GM Neverov Valeriy & WGM Kulkarni Bhakti watching IM Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman's game  

IM Vijayalakshmi Subbaraman playing GM Demchenko Anton of Russia

Round 5: Five share lead, Kumar Gaurav stuns GM Neverov

Ukraine Grandmaster Solodovnichenko Yuri, 4.5 points, shared the lead with four more players after the fifth round of the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament 2016 for Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy, held at Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Nehru Stadium, Chennai here today. Keeping Yuri company on top at 4.5 points were GMs Bernadskiy Vitaliy (Ukr), Belous Vladimir, Mozharov Mikhail (both Russia) & young star Kumar Gaurav of India.

Earlier, Yuri found his match fellow Ukraine GM Bernadskiy Vitaliy, as they drew an exciting Caro Kann game that lasted 40 moves. But the news makers of the day were 15-year-old Bihar boy Kumar Gaurav and Maharashtra FM, Akash Thakur, respectively.

Veteran Ukraine GM Neverov got himself punished for some over ambitious play against Indian youngster Kumar Gaurav. The closed Sicilian game saw Kumar in an attacking mood and Neverov loosened the grip swapping his rook and three pawns for two pieces. It was found wanting as equation was loaded too much against the Ukraine Grandmaster who gave up on 34th turn. The win propels the Bihar boy to joint lead position along with four GMs.

Multiple IM Norm holder Akash Thakur put it across GM Gabrielian Artur of Russia in a Ruy Lopez exchange variation game, where the Indian snatched the advantage with some deft middle game moves. Moving into a rook and minor piece ending to restore parity, the Russian undermined the center passer and lost the game in 32 moves.

GM Neverov Valeriy (2506) - Kumar Gaurav (2030)

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 Rb8 6. f4 d6 7. h3 e6 8. Nf3 b5 9. O-O b4 10. Ne2 Nge7 11. a3 Qa5 12. Qe1 O-O 13. g4 Ba6 14. Bd2 Qb6 15. axb4 Nxb4 16. Qh4 Nxc2 17. Qxe7 Nxa1 18. Rxa1 Bxd3 19. Nc3 Qxb2 20. Ra2 Qb3 21. e5 d5 22. Qxc5 Rfc8 23. Qa5 Bf8 24. Nd4 Qc4 25. Ra4 Bb4 26. Qxa7 Ra8 27. Qxa8 Rxa8 28. Rxa8+ Kg7 29. Nxe6+ fxe6 30. Ra6 Kf8 31. Ra8+ Kf7 32. Ra7+ Ke8 33. Ra8+ Kd7 34. Na4 Qd4+ 0-1

Round 5 Results (Indians unless specified) Solodovnichenko Yuri (Ukr) 4.5 drew with Bernadskiy Vitaliy (Ukr) 4.5, Grachev Boris (Rus) 4 drew with Dzhumaev Marat (Uzb) 4, Deepan Chakkravarthy J (4) drew with Popov Ivan (Rus) 4, Venkatesh M R (4) drew with Sivuk Vitaly (Ukr) 4, Mozharov Mikhail (Rus) 4.5 bt Ramnath Bhuvanesh R (3.5), Laxman R R (3.5) lost to Belous Vladimir (Rus) 4.5, Tukhaev Adam (Ukr) 4 drew with Saravana Krishnan P (4), Neverov Valeriy (Ukr) 3 lost to Kumar Gaurav (4.5), Kulkarni Bhakti (3) lost to Demchenko Anton (Rus) 4, Gabrielian Artur (Rus) 3 lost to Thakur Akash (4)


FM Akash Thakur playing GM Gabrielina Artur (Russia)


IM Ramnath Bhuvanesh playing GM Mozharov Mikhail (Russia)


Joint leader GM Yuri Solodovnichenko (Ukraine)

Round 4: Solodovnichenko & Bernadskiy share lead at Chennai Open 2016

Ukraine Grandmasters Solodovnichenko Yuri & Bernadskiy Vitaly, 4.0 points, shared the lead with cent percent score after the fourth round of the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament 2016 for Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy, held at Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Nehru Stadium, Chennai here today.

Chennai based International Master Ramnath Bhuvanesh led a large field of 12 players remained half a point behind the leaders at 3.5 points including GMs Tukhaev Adam (Ukr), Mozharov Mikhail, Popov Ivan, Grachev Boris (all Russia), Deepan Chakkravarthy J, Venkatesh M R (both India) respectively.

Double Grandmaster Norm holder Ramnath played a solid game in Sicilian Scheveningen variation holding GM Tukhaev Adam (Ukraine). The draw keeps Ramnath in hunt for his third and final GM Norm.

Round 4 Results (Indians unless specified) Shyaamnikhil P (3) lost to Solodovnichenko Yuri (Ukr) 4, Sivuk Vitaly (Ukr) 3.5 drew with Laxman R R (3.5), Ramnath Bhuvanesh R (3.5) drew with Tukhaev Adam (Ukr) 3.5, Bernadskiy Vitaly (Ukr) 4 bt Shailesh Dravid (3), Hemant Sharma (3) lost to Grachev Boris (Rus) 3.5, Popov Ivan (Rus) 3.5 bt Kunal M (2.5), Demchenko Anton (Rus) 3 drew with Ravi Teja S (3), Nitin S (2.5) lost to Mozharov Mikhail (Rus) 3.5, Belous Vladimir (Rus) 3.5 bt Kulkarni Rakesh (2.5), Ernst Sipke (Ned) 3 drew with Kulkarni Bhakti (3)


WGM Bhakti Kulkarni playing GM Ernst Sipke (The Netherlands)

Playing Hall


International Master Ramnath Bhuvanesh

Round 2: Ram S Krishnan holds Grachev, Popov among leaders

Chennai based Ram S Krishnan (BSNL) held top seed Grandmaster Boris Grachev of Russia to a draw in the second round of the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament 2016 for Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy, held at Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Nehru Stadium, Chennai here today. In an interesting English game that lasted 29 moves, Ram S Krishnan surprised the Russian Grandmaster with his King march to the queen-side. An effective blockade fetched the Indian a comfortable draw.

Sharing the lead with 2/2 score were GMs Ivan Popov, Mozharov Mikhail, Demchenkov Anton (all Russia), R R Laxman (India), Marat Dzhumaev (Uzbekistan), Neverov Valeriy, Sivuk Vitaly, Tukhaev Adam, Bernadskiy Vitaliy, Solodovnichenko Yuri (all Ukraine), Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy (Vietnam) among others.

This annual Grandmaster Open in Chennai offer possibilities for International Master and Grandmaster Norms. The tournament has the confirmed participants from ten countries with 20 Grandmasters, 2 Woman Grandmasters and 23 International Masters among 73 titled players. This ten round Swiss System concludes on Monday, 25th Jan, 2016.

Ram S Krishnan - GM Boris Grachev

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 b6 3.d4 Bb7 4.Nc3 e6 5.a3 g6 6.d5 Bg7 7.e4 O-O 8.Be2 d6 9.O-O Nbd7 10.Be3 Qe7 11.h3 Nc5 12.Qc2 a5 13.Rad1 a4 14.Rfe1 Nfd7 15.Nd4 e5 16.Ndb5 Qd8 17.Bg4 Bc8 18.Bxd7 Bxd7 19.Bxc5 bxc5 20.Nxa4 f5 21.Nac3 f4 22.f3 Bf6 23.Ra1 Bh4 24.Red1 Rf7 25.Kf1 h5 26.Ke2 Qb8 27.Kd3 Qb6 28.Qe2 Rff8 29.Kc2 1/2-1/2

Round 2 Results (Indians unless specified) Ram S Krishnan (1.5) drew with Grachev Boris (Rus) 1.5, Popov Ivan (Rus) 2 bt Shreyansh Daklia (1), Demchenko Anton (Rus) 2 bt Phoobalan P (1), Hegde Ravi Gopal (1) lost to Solodovnichenko Yuri (Ukr) 2, Sivuk Vitaly (Ukr) 2 bt Sekar B, Hirthickkesh P R (1) lost to Mozharov Mikhail (Rus) 2, Ramanathan Balasubramaniam (1) lost to Tukhaev Adam (Ukr) 2, Bernadskiy Vitaly (Ukr) 2 bt Surendran N (1), Chakravarthi Reddy M (2) bt Gabrielian Artur (Rus) 1, Ernst Sipke (Ned) 1.5 drew with Vignesh B (1.5)



Grandmaster Alberto David (Italy)


GM Demchenko Anton (Russia) playing Phoobalan P (India)


Joint leader Grandmaster Marat Dzhumaev (Uzbekistan)


FIDE Arbiter Aarthie Ramaswamy along with IM Praveen Kumar & GM Deepan Chakkravarthy watching the game between IM Ramnath Bhuvanesh and Debashish Dutta

Round 1: Smooth sailing for seeds, Vladimir Belous held to a draw

Seeds led by Grandmaster Boris Grachev (Russia), were through to comfortable wins in the 8th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess tournament 2016 for Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy at Nehru Stadium, Chennai here today.

Grachev put it across Delhi based veteran V S Negi, while Delhi Open Champion Popov was stretched by Chennai boy G B Harshavardhan before he scored the full point. In the upset of the day, Soham Datar held Grandmaster Vladimir Belous of Russia to a draw.

Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by India's first International Master and Arjuna Awardee Manuel Aaron, who extolled the growth of chess in India during the last decade and made the symbolic first move inaugurating the event.

Shri D V Sundar, FIDE Vice President, during his speech added that the Grandmaster and International Master count in India has grown multifold since 2005. He further highlighted India holding the highest number of registered players with FIDE (World Chess Federation). International Arbiter and Tournament Director R Anantharam proposed the vote of thanks.

Results Round 1(Indians unless mentioned) - Boris Grachev (Rus) bt V S Negi, G B Harshavardhan lost to Ivan Popov (Rus), Raahul V S lost to Demchenko Anton (Rus), Yuri Solodovnichenko (Ukr) bt Gavi Siddhayya, R Prajesh lost to Vitaly Sivuk (Ukr), Mozharov Mikhail (Rus) bt Mota Pankit, Soham Datar drew with Vladimir Belous (Rus), Tukhavev (Ukr) bt Arjun Adappa, Azikri Gur (Isr) lost to Bernadskiy Vitaly (Ukr), Gabrielian Artur (Rus) bt Arpita Mukherjee.


Chief Guest International Master Manuel Aaron, V Hariharan, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, International Arbiter R Anantharam, D V Sundar, FIDE Vice President, GM Gabrielian Artur (Russia)