Ayush Sharma becomes the third International Master from Madhya Pradesh

Five IM-norms and 2400+ in a little less than two years

In October 2021, Ayush Sharma was rated only 2072 when he scored his first IM-norm. His rating was frozen since March 2020 at 2072 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly two years later, he scored five IM-norms and crossed 2400 in the live ratings to become India's latest International Master.

First IM norm: IM Ask 2 Round Robin 2021

Ayush Sharma scored his first IM-norm at IM Ask 2 Round Robin tournament in October 2021. He won the first game, had a mandatory Bye in the second round, then he won the next five games in-a-row. He scored 7.5/11 including wins over GM Milko Popchev (BUL), GM Dejan Pikula (SRB), IM Anup Deshmukh and a draw against GM Zlatko Ilincic (SRB).

Ayush - Dejan, Round 7

Ayush Sharma (2072) decided to sacrifice an exchange 18.Rxd6 to gain longterm initiative against GM Dejan Pikula (SRB, 2378). The teenager went on to win the game.

Second IM-norm and maiden GM-norm: 22nd Dubai Open 2022

Ayush Sharma scored his second IM-norm and maiden GM-norm at Dubai Open 2022. He defeated GM Thej Kumar M S, GM Arjun Kalyan, GM Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu (GER), and drew with then IM Aditya Mittal.

Ayush - Nisipeanu, Round 5

Posing practical challenges to your opponent is an important skill. Ayush played 18.Nh5+ although it may look menacing, actually it isn't. After 18...Kf8 19.Nf6 does not pose any major challenges. It would have taken a computer like accuracy for Black to know and realize that. Since, both are human and not a computer, Black played the humane 18...Rxh5 19.Qxh5 and White eventually returned the exchange to get a favorable rook endgame and win it.

Third IM-norm: Asian Continental 2022 Open

Ayush Sharma scored his final IM-norm at Asian Continental Chess Championship 2022 Open . He started with three draws, then he scored 4/6 in the next six games to secure his final IM-norm and also gain 74 Elo rating points in the process. Ayush won against GM Arjun Kalyan, GM Iniyan P, IM Yusup Atabayev (TKM), then IM Aditya Mittal, drew against then IM Aditya Samant, IM Ajay Karthikeyan and IM Anuj Shrivatri.

Iniyan - Ayush

Ayush Sharma disturbed the white king and got rid of its castling rights with 17...Nd3+ 18.Ke2 Bc5 19.Be3 Re8 20.f3 Ng5 and it would not be an understatement to say that White is positionally lost. Black won the game in a little over a dozen more moves.

Fourth IM-norm: Baku Open 2023

Ayush scored his fourth IM-norm at Baku Open 2023. Although he did not need it, still his performance earned him one. Despite starting with two losses, Ayush scored 5/7 in the next seven games to secure his fourth IM-norm. He won against IM Abdimalik Abdisalimov (UZB), IM Ismayil Shahaliyev (AZE) and IM Arystanbek Urazayev (KAZ).

Fifth IM-norm: 29th Abu Dhabi Masters 2023

Ayush scored his fifth IM-norm at 29th Abu Dhabi Masters 2023. He had a slow start 1/3. Then he scored 4.5/6 with a performance of 2524 to earn his fifth IM-norm. Once again, scoring this norm was not required but having an extra is always good. The teenager defeated IM Ravi Teja S, IM L M S T De Silva, IM Viani Antonio Dcunha, IM Ameya Audi, IM S Rohith Krishna and drew against IM Ramil Faizrakhmanov.

Live rating 2400: Tsaghkadzor Open 2023

The last criteria which Ayush needed to fulfill happened when he drew against GM Tigran K Harutyunyan (ARM) in the second round of Tsaghkadzor Open 2023.

"In 2016/17, I played an All India event in Bhopal which was organised by Mr. Kapil Saxena,  I came third. In my first round, I played with Master Ayush Sharma a 7-8 years old kid then. He lost to me in a winning position. But during the Prize distribution function, I was called to speak. Here I said one 7-8 year old boy, (Now IM Ayush Sharma), will become a great name in MP chess. Hence, requested everyone to clap for him! Next we met in the Sikkim National Seniors Championship. There his mother told me the same story and requested me to coach him. Rest is history! A remote area - Khandwa boy, becoming an IM, it's a very big news for Khandwa!"

Ayush's Best Achievements

Ayush Sharma has won a lot of accolades in his chess career so far. Here are the best ones:

• Champion - 16th G H Raisoni Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2023

• Runner-up - Shri Harbans Singh and Smt. Ranjeet Kaur Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2021

• Runner-up - AICF Natonal Under-18 Open Online 2021

• Second Runner-up - 16th G H Raisoni Memorial Blitz Rating Open 2023

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Senior Rating Open 2022

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Senior Men 2022

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Junior Under-19 Open 2022

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Junior Boys 2021

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Under-17 Boys 2019

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Under-15 Open 2018

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Under-13 Open 2018

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Under-13 Boys 2017

• Champion - Madhya Pradesh State Under-17 Open 2017

• Runner-up - 57th Madhya Pradesh State Senior Open Rating 2019

• Runner-up - Madhya Pradesh State Sub-Junior Rating Open 2019

• Runner-up - Madhya Pradesh State Junior Under-19 Open 2018

• Runner-up - 42nd Madhya Pradesh State Under-11 Boys Open 2016

• Second Runner-up - Madhya Pradesh State Junior Under-19 2019

• Second Runner-up - 41st Madhya Pradesh State Under-11 and Under-13 Boys 2014

Replay Ayush's games

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