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Courtalam Saaral International Rating Open Preview

by R Anantharam - 25/08/2019

Want to enjoy the best season in Courtalam with competitive chess? Come to Courtalam, a health and spa resort in the western ghats of south Tamil Nadu, bordering Kerala, with perennial rivers and plenty of waterfalls and cascades. The cold breeze with constant minute and continuous drizzling will take you to the climax of ecstasy. Coming back to chess, the tournament is held from 29th August to 2nd September for five days by Tirunelveli District Chess Development Association. The field includes a strong contingent of grandmaster in Rodrigo Schroeder Vasquez of Chile and a plethora of international masters. Vasquez has defeated the world champion Magnus Carlsen time and again in blitz games and people say that Rodrigo is +2 against Carlsen on internet chess. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

A sleeper international rating tournament at the spa of south on Western Ghats

Rodrigo Vasquez has a plus score against Carlsen in Blitz? | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Rodrigo’s current classical rating is 2496, rapid rating 2605 and blitz 2543. He plays under the name 'Kastor' on internet.

 

The second seed Muhammad Khusenkhojaev is an international master from Tajikistan, who is one of the leaders in the Tetrasoft GM tournament under progress at Hyderabad. His rating is 2442. He is a regular visitor to India.

IM Md. Khusenkhojaev of Tajikistan | Photo: Niklesh Jain

The third seed in the tournament is IM Sayantan Das, the GM elect from Kolkata, who also finished runner up in the recent Athens of the East GM tournament at Madurai, ahead of many strong grandmasters.

Sayantan drew with GM Pavel Smirnov of Russia in the final round to finish second at Madurai | Photo: R Anantharam

The Hyderabad IM Charkravarthy Reddy is placed fourth in the starting rank, followed by IM Muthaiah AL of Tamil Nadu.

IM Chakravarthy Reddy is fourth seeded

IM Al Muthaiah has won seven tournaments so far this year | Photo: Niklesh Jain

The main falls is situated less than one km from the venue and all other falls are within the range of 3 to 5 km. Trekking will be a pleasant experience and the water flowing through many herbals has a highly medicinal value. The salubrious weather offers an ambient mood for good chess. Come and enjoy Courtalam and chess.

Main falls

Five falls

Old falls

Shenbagadevi falls | Photo: Tamil Nadu Tourism

Tiger falls

For more details about the tournament, click here.

 

Starting line up

No.NameIDFideIDFEDRtgIsexTypGrClub/City
1GMVasquez Schroeder Rodrigo100013400042CHI25431050CHI
2IMKhusenkhojaev Muhammad014700247TJK2442NA
3IMDas Sayantan4625820135034426IND2409U25NAWB
4IMChakravarthi Reddy M46111201925009532IND2392U25NATEL
5IMMuthaiah Al4552920135092442IND2384U255156TN
6Prasannaa.S4031220135068878IND2237U256953TN
7Senthil Maran K40776201325035681IND2222U256956TN
8IMRamnathan Balasubramaniam4747720135001277IND22001008TN
9Alan Diviya Raj40326201325034740IND2026U251042
10AGMSa Kannan4617720135018340IND20216954TN
11Swaraj Palit4806520135014590IND1917NAJHA
12Merryston David Scanny4723320135010268IND18441016-T AICF not paid
13Suganthan S46572201346626522IND1807U151049TN-V
14Ruban Sanjai M46090201335070592IND1698U155158TN
15Shadhursshaan R59160201445024138IND1608U125115TN
16Sanjay Ganesh Pandi77446201625682873IND1604U155189TN
17Manikanda Prabhu B V60007201445033056IND1595U155243TN-T
18Arul Anandh S P K75824201745086931IND1578U155210TN
19Mohana R44648201335040456IND1557wF155192
20Anilkumar K.V.10415007488IND15475591TN

Complete list

About the Author

Prof. Rathinam Anantharam is an A-grade international arbiter. Member of FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, Chairman of Arbiters’ Commission in All India Chess Federation and also International Braille Chess Association, Vice President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Chief Arbiter for six world championships, many Asian, International and National Championships.

 

The article was edited by Shahid Ahmed


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