Arvind Chidambaram of Tamil Nadu wins National Rapid Chess Championship 2023

MPL NATIONAL RAPID CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2022-23

AICF EVENT CODE: 307994 /JK/ 2022was organized by CROWN TRUST, under the aegis of Jammu district chess association, All J&K Chess Association and under the Banner of J&K Sports Council) On behalf of All India Chess Federation at The Kangra Fort, Barnai, Jammu

130 players from 23 states (ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS, ANDHRA PRADESH, ASSAM, BIHAR, DELHI, GOA, GUJARAT, HARYANA, HIMACHAL PRADESH, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, JHARKHAND, KARNATAKA, KERALA, MAHARASHTRA, MADHYA PRADESH, ODISSA, PUDUCHERRY, PUNJAB, RAJASTHAN, TELANGANA, TAMIL NADU, UTTAR PRADESH and WEST BENGAL) participated in this event. There were 103 FIDE rated players and 22 titled players. All the players were registered with AICF for the financial year 2022-23. There were 11 female players. GM Aravindh Chithambaram V R of Tamil Nadu with an ELO Rating of 2557 was the top seed and the second seed was Andhra Pradesh’s IM Dhulipalla Bala Chandra Prasad with an ELO rating 2388. The event carried total cash prize of Rs 4 lacs.

Crown Trust is the proud organizer of this mega event. It was organized under the aegis of Jammu district chess association, All J&K Chess Association and under the Banner of J&K Sports Council) On behalf of All India Chess Federation. Mr. Atul Kumar Gupta was the Tournament Director. The event was spread over 3 days and 11 rounds (with Time control of 15 minutes for each player with 10 seconds for every move starting from move 1) were played in all.  Each day there were 4 rounds and on the final day we had 3 rounds.

         Bharat Singh Chauhan, Chairman FIDE advisory board and chairman commonwealth chess federation was the chief guest for inaugural function. He appreciated All J and K chess association for wonderful arrangements. Also present on the occasion were Atul Kumar Gupta President All J and K chess association, Dr. A S Bhatia Principal GMC Rajouri and chairman organizing committee, Senior Prosecution officer Raj Kumar, Kuljeet Singh Jamwal, Baldev Raj, Arvindu Sharma, Ankush Bhardwaj, Ritish Pathania. Inaugural Move was made by Mr. Bharat Singh Chouhan and Aravindh Chidambaram V R. First round started immediately after the technical meet.

MPL NATIONAL RAPID CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2022-23 was won by Top Seed GM Aravindh Chithambaram V R 2557 of TN. He scored 8 and half points along with IM Mohammed Nubairshah Shaikh 2310 of Mah, GM Mitarbha Guha 2374 of WB, GM Raja Rithvik R 2370 of Tel, IM Prraneeth Vuppala 2351 of Tel and IM Avinash Ramesh 2211 of TN, but with a better tie break Aravindh clinched the winner’s trophy. He remained undefeated in the Championship with 6 wins and 5 draws. Second place was bagged by IM Mohammed Nubairshah Shaikh of Mah. He won 6 games and drew 5. Third Place went to GM Mitarbha Guha of WB. He won 7 games and drew 3.

The tournament hall for MPL NATIONAL RAPID CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 20222-23 was spacious and could accommodate all the players very comfortably. The playing hall was well decked up for the Chess Tournament and was very neat and clean. The hall had good lighting. The washrooms were on one side of the playing hall and were kept in a hygienic condition. Safe drinking water was provided to the players. A lot of comfortable space was provided for parents, guardians and coaches to sit in adjoining halls.

         The officials of Crown Trust were always around helping the participants, parents, and coaches for all their needs. For refreshment, different food stalls were available. Mr. Atul Kumar Gupta along with his team of efficient officials helped in organizing the MPL NATIONAL RAPID CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 20222-23 successfully.

         New FIDE IDs for 12 players were created in this Tournament. Thanks to Mr. Gopa Kumar M S, Rating Officer, AICF for the timely and quick response in creating the FIDE IDs for the new unregistered players of the event. There were no disputes or protests filed by the players. The perception of chess among the participants, the spectators and the people improved by the wonderful organisational skills displayed by Crown Trust.

          During the Chess Tournament, the work of all the Arbiters was up to the mark and FA Norm certificates were given to Dinesh Gera, Shilpa and Ranjit Singh. Mr. Arvind Mhamal International Arbiter from Goa officiated as the Deputy Chief Arbiter All arbiters are registered with AICF and are Licenced. Their wonderful performance greatly contributed towards making this Tournament a great success. 

        Prize distribution ceremony was presided by Atul Kumar Gupta, President AJKCA. Chief Guest was Smt. Nuzhat Gul and Guest of Honour was Dr. A S Bhatia Principal GMC Rajouri and chairman organizing committee. Senior Prosecution officer Raj Kumar, Kuljeet Singh Jamwal, Baldev Raj, Arvindu Sharma, Ankush Bhardwaj, Ritish Pathania were the other Dignitaries on the dais.Chief Guest and Guest of Honour distributed the prizes and trophies to the all the prize winners