Srihari L R triumphs at 1st SA Castle Rapid Rating Open 2023

by Shahid Ahmed - 26/12/2023

IM Srihari L R scored an unbeaten 8/9 to win 1st SA Castle Rapid Rating Open 2023. Srihari finished a half point ahead of the field. Five players - IM FT Harikrishnan A Ra, FM Harshad S, FM Syed Anwar Shazuli, Selvamurugan B and CM Lakshmi Narayanan M V scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed second to sixth respectively according to tie-breaks. Srihari drew against both eventual runner-ups Harikrishnan and Harshad. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹320000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹20000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each respectively. This was Srihari's sixth overall, fifth rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: FA Angappan A

Srihari's sixth tournament triumph in 2023

Four players - IM Srihari L R, Dinesh Rajan M, IM Harikrishnan A Ra and CM Lakshmi Narayanan M V were the four leaders 7/8 heading into the final round. Dinesh lost to Srihari and Harikrishnan drew against Lakshmi in the final round. Thus, Srihari became a clear champion, Harikrishnan and Harshad were placed second and third respectively according to tie-breaks.

Top 3 (L to R): 3rd FM Harshad S 7.5/9, 1st IM Srihari L R 8/9 and 2nd IM Harikrishnan A Ra 7.5/9

IM Srihari L R scored an unbeaten 8/9, finished a half point ahead of the rest and gained 5.6 Elo rating points

Inaugural first move is being made

Inauguration Ceremony

The tournament was inaugurated at the hands of Dr. R Jonathan Jayabarathan, Chairman, Mount Zion Group of Schools, Pudukkottai District, who was the Chief Guest of the function. Other dignitaries present were - Mr. Subramanian A, Tournament Director, FA Rajsanthos Vairavel, Chief Arbiter, FA Angappan A, Deputy Chief Arbiter and Organising Secretary, IA Dhenagaran B, Secretary, TDCA, Dr. Ganesan S, Secretary PDCA, office bearers of Sri Sai Saravanaa Academy and SA Castle Chess Club.

Trophies for the prize winners

The prize distribution ceremony was organized in a grand manner by Mr P Pragadhesh, Joint Secretary TNSCA, Mr. S Ganesh Babu, International Arbiter, Mr. B Dhenagaran, International Arbiter, Secretary, TDCA, Mr. Subramanian A, Tournament Director, Mr A Angappan, Deputy Chief Arbiter and Mr. Rajsanthos V, Chief Arbiter.

Organizing team of Sri Sai Saravanaa Academy and SA Castle Chess Club

Thanks to FA Angappan A for sharing photos and info about the tournament.

A total of 247 players including 4 IMs took part from various states across the country and one from USA in this one-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament. It was organized by Sri Sai Saravanaa Academy and SA Castle Chess Club at Mount Zion International School - CBSE in Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu on 10th December 2023. The time control of the event was 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	1	IM	Srihari, L R	S15	IND	2280	8	54,5	59	51,50
2	2	IM	Harikrishnan.A.Ra,	S15	IND	2274	7,5	52,5	56	44,75
3	4	FM	Harshad, S	S15	IND	2158	7,5	52	56,5	45,50
4	8	FM	Syed Anwar, Shazuli	S15	IND	1976	7,5	51,5	55,5	44,75
5	20		Selvamurugan, B	S15	IND	1772	7,5	50	54	42,75
6	5	CM	Lakshmi, Narayanan M V	S15	IND	2011	7,5	48,5	53,5	44,25
7	9		Dinesh, Rajan M	S15	IND	1969	7	53,5	57,5	42,50
8	11		Ganesh, R	S15	IND	1956	7	50,5	55	41,75
9	14		Sridhar, J	S15	IND	1864	7	48,5	51	37,00
10	15	FM	Ayushh, Ravikumar	S15	IND	1821	7	47,5	51,5	36,50
11	45		Kirpesh, I	U15	IND	1403	7	43,5	47,5	35,00
12	19	AIM	Vinothkumar, T	S15	IND	1781	7	42,5	45	34,00
13	73		Vishweswaran, N	U15	IND	1275	7	41,5	45,5	33,50
14	12		Manigandan, S S	S15	IND	1895	6,5	52	57	38,25
15	7	FM	Gunasekaran, K.	S15	IND	1977	6,5	52	56,5	39,00
16	6		Ram, S. Krishnan	S15	IND	1981	6,5	49	53,5	37,00
17	16	IM	Ramnathan, Balasubramaniam	S15	IND	1819	6,5	49	53	35,75
18	17		Gugan, G	S15	IND	1803	6,5	49	53	35,50
19	10		Ganesh, Babu S	S15	IND	1958	6,5	46,5	51	34,25
20	44		Kannish, Varmaa K	S15	IND	1403	6,5	46,5	50,5	33,75