GM Karthik Venkataraman of Andhra Pradesh emerged as the winner of the 61st India Chess Championship thanks to a crucial final-round victory over Guha Mitrabh. Organized by the Haryana Chess Association at RPS International School, Gurgaon, the 11-round Swiss tournament boasting a prize fund of thirty lakhs rupees (approximately USD 35,000) brought together 341 players from all across India.
In addition to winning the title, Karthik lifted a glittering trophy and a cash prize of six lakhs rupees (approximately USD 7,150). The top seed Ganguly, leading throughout the tournament, tied for the first place but had to settle for silver (only 0.5 Buchholz points separated him from the champion) after making four straight draws at the finish. IM Neelash Saha, with nine points, the same as Karthik and Ganguly placed third due to inferior tiebreaks.
As many as six players, including the second seed Abhijeet Gupta, scored 8.5/11 and tied for fourth place.
Dharmendra Kumar IA, treasurer, All India Chess Federation was the chief guest and awarded the prizes in the presence of Saurabh Jindal, President of Haryana Chess Association, Vishnu Bhagwan Kashyap, Secretary, HCA, Raj Chauhan from the film industry, Naresh Sharma, former treasurer of AICF, Raj Pal Chauhan Secretary, District Chess Association, Gurgaon, Dr. Pooja Sharma Principal, RPS School, and Sushma Chauhan, joint secretary Gurgaon DCA.
Final standings:
|
1 |
GM |
Karthik, Venkataraman |
2568 |
9 |
|
2 |
GM |
Ganguly, Surya Shekhar |
2583 |
9 |
|
3 |
IM |
Neelash, Saha |
2470 |
9 |
|
4 |
GM |
Ghosh, Diptayan |
2568 |
8½ |
|
5 |
IM |
Aronyak, Ghosh |
2535 |
8½ |
|
6 |
IM |
Gusain, Himal |
2511 |
8½ |
|
7 |
GM |
Lalit, Babu M R |
2494 |
8½ |
|
8 |
GM |
Gupta, Abhijeet |
2583 |
8½ |
|
9 |
IM |
Shyaam, Nikhil P |
2442 |
8½ |
|
10 |
GM |
Sethuraman, S.P. |
2571 |
8 |
Photos: All India Chess Federation
Official website: aicf.in/