Vietnam’s GM Duc Hoa is the Bhopal Grandmaster Open Champion!

Report by Anshul Saxena

The Grand Master Tournament Bhopal GM International 2017, which was the first of Grand Master Circuit had its run for eight days, This tournament got the name of Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Hoa as its champion. He defeated Russia’s Grand Master Rozum Ivan at the first table in the final round. Having the honor of being the winner with 8.5 points, winning a cash prize of 2 lakh rupees along with a shining trophy. He also made a new record of winning three consecutive Grand Master tournaments in India in a year, before this tournament he won the title of KIIT International in Bhubaneswar in May and Mumbai International in June.

Today, the Prize distribution ceremony was held in presence of Madhya Pradesh Director Sports Mr. Upendra Jain, President of Madhya Pradesh State Chess Association, Mr. Sunil Bansal, Retired IAS, Mr. S N Rupla, DGM (Union Bank Of India) Mr. Gurtej Singh and Secretary of Madhya Pradesh State Chess Association Mr. Kapil Saxena. A total of 10 lakh 18 thousand rupees along with brilliant shining trophies and medals were distributed to the prize winners.

In other important matches, Malaysian International master Yeoh Li Tian held the second position who played a match on the second table with 3rd positioned Vietnam’s Tran Tuan and was able to draw the match. On 3rd table crushing India’s hope, Ukrainian Grandmaster Adam Tukhaev won the match against Indian grandmaster Himanshu Sharma and also pushed him out of the top ten scoreboard. On the 4th table, Turkey’s Grandmaster Suat Atalik won against India’s International master Kunal. On the 5th table, India’s Fide master Shailesh Dravid played an amazing game and won against Tajikistani International master Khushekhojev Muhammad. On the 6th table, 11-year-old Indian Candidate master Gukesh D. won against Rajesh Nayak.

Three Indians managed to finish in the top ten – Although the top three positions were held by Vietnam and Malaysia but 3 Indian players were successful to make there way in top ten. Looking at the scoreboard of top ten players: 1st-Vietnam’s Grand Master Duc Hoa with 8.5, 2nd-7th: 6 Players who have scored 8 points but according to tiebreaker and their positions are as follows – Malaysia’s International master Yeoh Li Tian on 2nd position, Vietnam’s Grand Master Tran Tuan Minh on 3rd Turkish Grand Master Atalik Suat on 4th, India’s Fide Master Shailesh Dravid on 5th, India’s Candidate Master Gukesh D. on 6th and Ukraine’s Grandmaster Adam Tukhaev on 7th position. 2nd Seeded Russian Grandmaster Rozum Ivan was placed 8th while top-seeded American Grandmaster Timur Gareyev who was leading the tournament till 7th round was placed 9th. India’s International master Rahul Sangma held the 10th position.

Final Ranking after 10 Rounds