Akshay scores an IM-norm, No tie-breaks needed for top five

Akshay Borgaonkar scored 7 point out of 9 rounds and won the 26th TN IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament 2024. Three FM's Akshay, Harshit Pawar, Harshad claimed the top honors. Akshay beat GMs Manik Mikulas (SVK), Orazly Annageldyev (TKM), IM David Gochelashvili, FMs Harshit Pawar and Rohit S, Daakshin Arun and drew the rest. In the process he obtained an IM-norm. The 26th editiion was inaugurated by Stephen Balasamy. In his address he expressed his gratitude to Dr. M Manickam, Chairman, Sakthi Group and President, TNSCA for this long chain of events. He also appreciated the support of Committee members of TN IM-norm.

Akshay Borgaonkar receiving the winner's trophy from IM V S Rathanvel | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Akshay took the lead in the fourth round and maintained till the end, with David chasing behind. David lost to Harshit Pawar in the seventh round and was out of the race. Harshit Pawar scored 2.5 points in the last three rounds to finish on 6 points, became the sole runner-up. Similarly, Harshad scored 2.5 points in the last three rounds and finished third with 5.5 points. Prizes were distributed by GM-elect V S Rathanvel, who is from Coimbatore and is a former World U-10 Bronze medalist, 2011 in Brazil.

L to R:  Senthil Chinnasamy, President, Coimbatore District Chess Association, honoring Stephen Balasamy, General Secretary, TNSCA | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Stephen Balasamy making the inaugural move against GM Manik Mikulas of Slovakia | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

GM-elect V S Rathnavel is honored by FI and FA K Dhanasekar, Secretary, CDCA, IA V Vijayaraghavan, on the left hand side - IA B Arasu | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Players, officials, organisers and guests - A picture of everlasting memory | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Akshay - Manik, Round 1

Position after 13.Nxg5!

Akshay Borgaonkar (2412) made a thematic sacrifice 13.Nxg5! against GM Manik Mikulas (SVK, 2320). He won the game in nine more moves.

Deputy Chief Arbiter FA Praveen, onlooking the game between Akshay and GM Manik | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Akshay Borgaonkar scored an unbeaten 7/9, finished a full point ahead of the rest, performed at 2503, scored an IM-norm, won the tournament and gained 9.4 Elo rating points

Round 2: FM Daakshin Arun - FM Akshay Borgaonkar: 0-1 | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

The second round was inaugurated by Mr. P Palanisamy, Managing Director, Digibyte India Pvt. Ltd. and Secretary, Lions Club of Coimbatore Airport | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Chief Arbiter IA B Arasu, observing Fair Play regulations | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Round 5: Harshit Pawar - S Harshad: 1-0 | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Round 8: FM Daakshin Arun - Lokesh N: 0-1 | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Replay all games

Final standings

Rk.SNoNameFEDRtgPts. TB1  TB2  TB3 
12FMBorgaonkar, AkshayIND24127029,255
23FMPawar, HarshitIND22846023,254
310FMHarshad, SIND22755,5021,503
44FMRohit, SIND23115019,003
59GMManik, MikulasSVK23204,5018,002
65IMGochelashvili, DavidRUS223042,514,503
77GMVahidov, TairUZB234541,518,001
88Lokesh, N.IND222241,515,752
91FMDaakshin, ArunIND229040,516,002
106GMAnnageldyev, OrazlyTKM2271104,250

Details

About the Author

V Vijayaraghavan is an International Arbiter and Vice President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association. He was also the Tournament Coordinator for 24th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Tournament. 

 

The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed