Can 57-year-old D.V. Prasad become India's 66th GM?

D.V. Prasad stuns the former World Senior Champion in 26 moves!

D.V. Prasad is well known in Indian chess circles as the man who beat Mikhail Tal. In the Subbotica Interzonal 1987, the Indian IM, played with fire in his belly and beat the greatest attacker that the game has ever seen. 

There was no doubt about Prasad's talent for chess. He became an IM at the age of 24 in 1986 and subsequently went on to make two GM norms as well. He was the national champion of India for two consecutive years in 1990 and 1991. However, the GM title remained out his grasp. All of this may change in a matter of few days! Prasad is lone Indian participant in the World Senior Championships 2019 that is currently taking place in Romania. He is playing in the +50 age section and the winner of the event directly gets the GM title. Of course, the tournament is not at all easy, as 20 GMs are taking part in his section, fighting for the title of World Champion and also 4,000 Euros. But Prasad has made a very positive start and after four rounds is on 3.5/4.

Starting rank of the tournament

IM D.V. Prasad's seeding is 40th!

FIDE has made a tremendous gesture this year and has increased the total prize fund of the event by a massive 30,000 euros! From 16,000 it is now 46,000 euros! Also the FIDE fee of 70 euro per participant has been abolished. This is how FIDE is supporting chess for seniors!

When I met D.V. Prasad at the World Youth Championships 2019 in Mumbai around a month ago, he told me about his plans to play at the World Seniors Championships 2019 in Romania. I could sense the fire and ambition in his eyes. Yes, he is rated 2226 and is only the 40th seed, but somehow he believed that he could fight for the top spot! His results at the event speak for itself! After four rounds Prasad is on 3.5/4. Prasad has scored wins against Jan Rosenberg from Denmark (1891), Former World Senior Champion GM Zurab Sturua (2540), and FM Ionut Buzbuchi (2315). His draw came against IM Nikoloz Managadze (2450).

Standings after round 4 in +50 section

Prasad played a fine game and gave his Georgian opponent no real chances.

Prasad vs Sturua, round 2

In his fourth round win, Prasad had the wind of fortune blowing by his side. He was a pawn down right out of the opening. However, he tried to keep the pressure on his opponent with some aggressive ideas. His German opponent went wrong in a critical position.

Prasad vs Buzbuchi, round 4

If you ask the question - what is my opponent's idea in this position, you realize that White would like to play Qh6 followed by Rh3. Hence it was important to stop this with either ...Kg7 or ...h5. Buzbuchi went for ...Rc8? and after Qh6! by Prasad, Black was already on the backfoot

In the fifth round Prasad faces the strong Brazilian GM Lima Darcy (2540). This event is not going to be easy for him with seven rounds to go! He will face many strong opponents. But if he does manage to play these seven rounds well, he could become the 66th GM of India at the age of 57 years! How inspiring would that be!

Standings in +65 after round 4

Standings in +50 women after round 4

Standings in +65 women after round 4