International Master Visakh N R of Tamil Nadu broke a nine-year jinx to lead an Indian sweep in the 9th Mumbai Mayor International Open Chess Tournament 2016, presented by Zee Learn Ltd and co-sponsored by LIC and Ankit Gems, which concluded at at Mount Litera School International, BKC.
(From left to right winner IM Visakh N R , Deputy Mayor Alka Kelkar , Bharat Singh Chauhan, CEO, AICF, Chief Guest Ms Amruta Fadnavis and Mr Ravi Dongre, Treasurer, AICF at the prize distribution of the Mumbai Mayor International Open Chess Tournament 2016
The 17-year-old Visakh, showing chess maturity much beyond his years, drew his final round match with GM Diptayan Ghosh, and was tied for the top place on 8 points with Ghosh and Chandigarh’s Gusain Himal. The arbiters declared Visakh champion on a better tie-break as he drew with GM Diptayan Ghosh, the mutual decision coming after 16 moves. Gusain also finished on 8 points thanks to his final round win over IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni.
Visakh is the first Indian to win this prestigious event in its 9-year history. Visakh won Rs 3 lakhs for his efforts, while Ghosh took home Rs 2 lakhs and Gusain Rs 1 lakh.
While this was Visakh’s biggest victory, the soft spoken player who began playing chess at the age of 9, said his win over GM Amonatov Farrukh is the high point of his young chess career.
The depth of Indian chess players was further vindicated by another five of them finishing among the 8 players in joint second place.
The game between Visakh and GM Ghosh started with a Queen’s Indian and turned into a Dutch Defence. On the 9th move Diptayan sacrificed a pawn on d5 for better play but both of the players did not take any risk and agreed for a draw in just 16 moves.
The other match between GM Boris Grachev and Girish Koiushik saw an irregular opening as Grachev, playing white controlled d5 with his rook but could not capitalize on it. After a strong battle Grachev managed a pass point inside but Koushik neutralized and eventually settled for a draw after 81 moves
Visakh N R who hails from Tamil Nadu started playing chess at the age of 9 after his father who is also his Psychological coach introduced him to the game .He then started training under Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte , he mostly trains with him online and occasionally travels to Pune for one on one sessions. Visakh skipped 2 years of Studies to concentrate on his Chess career. He mentioned that beating GM Amonatov Farrukh was his biggest achievement and winning the tournament was never on his mind as he was taking one game at a time. .
This is the first time in the 9 year history of the Mayor’s cup that a Indian has won the tournament and the top 3 are all Indians it is safe to say that the future of chess in India looks bright
Top Results
Visakh N R 2400 drew with GM Ghosh Diptayan 2562; GM Grachev Boris (RUS) 2639 drew with Girish A. Koushik 2406; Gusain Himal 2440 bt IM Kulkarni Vikramaditya 2278; GM Amonatov Farrukh (TJK) 2614 bt Muthaiah Al 2308; Sandipan Chanda 2585 bt FMAhmed Sk. Nasir (BAN) 2319; GM Gleizerov Evgeny (RUS) 2506 bt Kunal M. 2354; GM Swapnil S. Dhopade 2504 bt Hemant Sharma 2257; IM Krishna C R G 2411 bt Srinath Rao S.V. 2218; Tarini Goyal 1951 bt IM Ravi Teja S. 2399