First Chola chess International GM Norm Round Robin Tournament in form Chennai from 02 February to 11 February 2026.

Of late there is no dearth of chess activity in India including umpteen number of Grandmasters open events. But closed circuit events give more scope and opportunity for the players to earn their norms.  For the first time in the history of chess in India a closed circuit Grandmaster event is being organized in Chola Chess, T.Nagar, Chennai from 02 February to 11 February 2026. This forward movement is the brain child of Chola chess with the idea being mooted by Chess Gurukul, a premier chess academy in India.

      Six young and aspiring International Masters from India have got a wonderful opportunity to enter the fray along with four foreign Grandmasters (2 from France, 1 from Kazkhastan and 1 from Paraguay). With the average rating of ten participants is 2486, all that they need is 6 or 6.5 points depending on their rating criteria. Already three IMs Vaz Ethen (Goa) , Aranyak Gosh (West Bengal) and Mayank Chakravorthy (Assam)  are holding two GM Norms to their credit. They require final norm from this event to join the elite club of Grandmasters. Also Borgaonkar, Akshay from Maharastra is holding one GM Norm. For Harsh Suresh and Audi Ammeya this ground will be a hunt for their maiden norm. It will be a 9 round all play all (round robin system) with a time control of 90 minutes for first 40 moves and 30 minutes for the second time control with 30 seconds increment from move no.1. The tournament carries a  total prize fund of Rupees 2,50,000/-. All the games will be shown on  live https://live.tamilchess.com/cholachess_GM_RR/index.html

      In a simple inaugural ceremony Grandmaster R.B. Ramesh, coach of the Indian team welcomed the participants. Other dignitaries included Shri. Stephen Balasamy, General Secretay, TNSCA, WGM Aarthie Ramesh from Chess Gurukul and representatives of Chola Chess  This was followed by draw of lots by the players

         The first round started with a bang with the IM Audi Ameya from Goa stunning GM Boyer Mahel (France) in 29 moves. Audi Ameya handled the Nimzo Indian defense meticulously to offer an exchange sacrifice in the latter part of the game. When Audi Ameya dragged a mating net with his Queen and Bishop on the long diagonal GM Boyer offered his resignation. This was the only decisive from the first round with all the remaining four boards ending up with a draw.

               Paraguay’s GM Delgado Neuris proved his mettle by delivering a brilliant sacrifice of a minor piece and obtained a outside queen rook pawn passer. After surviving some anxious moments IM Mayank Chakravorthy returned his knight to save his side from loss. The net result was a draw after

                                       The match between two Ims Vaz Ethen (Goa) and Bargaonkar Akshay (Maharastra) ended in a simple draw after reaching a three fold repetition. Although Ethen who is pursuing for his final GM norm here, tried his best to attack black king after throwing away his full rook, Akshay put up a brave defense to force a draw.

                          IM Aronyok Gosh settled for a draw against GM Suleymenov Alisher after a long drawn battle which witnessed a theoretically drawn rook and pawn ending.

                             In the longest battle of the inaugural round GM Girel Joseph demonstrated a great skill in rook and pawn ending against IM Harsh Suresh. Although he kept Harsh under tender  hooks the game  ended  with a draw after 111 moves after a brave show put by the Chennai youngster.