Belous Vladimir is Chennai Open Champion, GM Norm for Vijayalakshmi

Belous Vladimir is Chennai Open Champion, GM Norm for Vijayalakshmi
R.R.Vasudevan

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 here today. Belous Vladimir received Sakthi Group Dr N Mahalingam trophy and the winner’s purse of Rs. 200000 (Rupees two lakhs only) 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.

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 (Rupees Eleven lakhs only) 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 Placings : 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