Shyaam Nikhil dominates 1st RK Foundation Sivakasi CS & SCC Rapid Rating Open 2025
GM Shyaam Nikhil P clinched the title at RK Foundation Sivakasi CC & SCS 1st FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament 2025. Grandmaster Shyaam, the recent World Railways Gold medalist, displayed his formidable strength and took to an unbeaten 8.5/9. He finished half a point ahead of the rest of the field to secure a well-deserved victory. Two players IM Murali Krishnan B T and FM Maheswaran P finished with eight points each, and were placed second and third respectively based on tie-break scores. The tournament featured a total prize fund of ₹200000, with the top three prizes of ₹26000, ₹22000, and ₹17000 respectively, each accompanied by a trophy. This one-day, nine-round FIDE Rated Rapid Open Tournament was jointly organized by RK Foundation, Sivakasi Chess Club, Sivakasi Chess Sparklers, and Ramco Institute of Technology, Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu. Photo: IA Jeyam Subbaiah C
Unstoppable Shyaam Nikhil: From World Railways Glory to RK Foundation Rapid Champion
Top seed and World Railways Gold medallist, GM Shyaam Nikhil P of Tamil Nadu won the RK Foundation Sivakasi CC and SCS 1st FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament 2025, organized by RK Foundation, Sivakasi Chess Club, Sivakasi Chess Sparklers, and Ramco Institute of Technology, Rajapalayam on 26th October 2025. After registering eight wins and a draw with IM Ajay Karthikeyan, he remained unbeaten throughout the event to score 8.5 points out of nine rounds. He took home the winner’s purse of ₹26000 along with a champion’s trophy for his impressive performance.
Two players tied for the second place with a tally of eight points IM Murali Krishnan BT from Southern Railways had the best tie-break than FM Maheswaran P and declared as runner-up.
Former Tamil Nadu Junior champion FM Maheswaran P of Sivakasi had the second-best tie-break to secure the second runner-up spot.
While IM Murali Krishnan BT received ₹22000, FM Maheswaran P increased his bank balance by ₹17000.
In the final round, GM Shyaam Nikhil P defeated former Tamil Nadu Under-12 champion P Vignesh Kannan to clinch the championship title. Vignesh, who showed remarkable fighting spirit throughout the event, finished in a commendable fifth place.
IM Murali Krishnan B T secured the second place by defeating Revlin Ram in the final round, capping off a strong performance with a well-earned victory.
FM P Maheswaran defeated Jagajit Sinha of Assam in the final round to secure the third place in the tournament. While, Jagajit secured ninth in the final standings.
B Yashwant (White) of Madurai defeated Advaith Ashok Kumar in the final round to finish fourth. Advaith had the honour of securing the seventh place.
WFM Marium Fatima had an impressive run-up and finished in the sixth place, displaying steady and confident play, despite her momentum halted in the sixth round, when she went down to FM Maheswaran P.
Boggarapu Kritan of Scotland finished eighth in the final standings. His fine run was interrupted in the fifth round with a loss to IM Murali Krishnan B T.
Displaying remarkable consistency, GM Shyaam Nikhil P notched up his sixth straight win, overcoming Mutyalapati Modith Aaroh of Canada in a well-fought encounter that showcased his composure and precision.
IA Jeyam Subbaiah C, Chief Arbiter of Tournament, celebrated his birthday during the event with a cake-cutting ceremony. This tournament holds special significance as it marks his first assignment as Chief Arbiter in a FIDE-rated event, coinciding with his birthday celebration.
The rapid international rated chess tournament witnessed a participation of 272 players from various states and institutions. Players represented diverse regions and institutions such as Canada, Scotland, ICF, Southern Railways, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Telangana, giving the tournament a truly national and international appeal.
The tournament was inaugurated by Mr. R Giridharan, Chief Operating Officer of Ramco Educational Institutions, along with Grandmaster Shyaam Nikhil P. In his address, Mr. Giridharan appreciated the efforts of the organizers for promoting chess among the youth and emphasized the importance of discipline and strategic thinking in both academics and sports.
The tournament venue is located just 8 km from the scenic Shenbaga Thoppu falls and trekking area, in the foothills of the western ghat, is just one of the scenic beauties around the venue.
The Ramco Institute of Technology, owned by the Ramco Group, is currently chaired by Mr. P R Venketrama Raja, who has also contributed significantly to sports administration, having served as the elected President of the All India Chess Federation. His late father, Mr. P R Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, was the founder chairman of the institute. The college is known for its serene and peaceful campus atmosphere, providing an ideal environment for both academic and sporting excellence.
It is a proud moment for India, when 87-year-old TD Rajendran, treasurer of Sivakasi Chess Club won the 100 meters hurdles in the Asian Masters on 8th October. He has won about -fifteen Asian Masters races. His daughter Chitra Selvi was the Tamil Nadu under-12 chess champion in 1989 and another daughter Giri Raja Kumari was second in under-10 championship, same year.
Final standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | Typ | sex | Gr | FED | RtgI | Club/City | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | TB4 | TB5 | n | w | we | w-we | K | rtg+/- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | GM | Shyaam Nikhil P | 2862CHE2025 | IND | 2338 | ICF | 8,5 | 52,5 | 56 | 52,5 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 7,5 | 7,06 | 0,44 | 10 | 4,4 | ||
| 2 | 4 | IM | Murali Krishnan B T | LM | IND | 2055 | S Rly | 8 | 55 | 59 | 50,5 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6,04 | 0,96 | 20 | 19,2 | ||
| 3 | 3 | FM | Maheswaran P. | 9269VNR2025 | IND | 2104 | TN-V | 8 | 53 | 55 | 48,25 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6,39 | 0,61 | 20 | 12,2 | ||
| 4 | 11 | Yashwant B | 5556MDU2025 | IND | 1907 | TN | 7,5 | 50 | 55 | 44,75 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6,5 | 6,37 | 0,13 | 40 | 5,2 | |||
| 5 | 10 | Vignesh Kannan P | 6862SIV2025 | IND | 1949 | TN | 7 | 53,5 | 56 | 41,5 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5,51 | 0,49 | 40 | 19,6 | |||
| 6 | 20 | WFM | Marium Fatima | w | NA | IND | 1792 | BIH | 7 | 53 | 56,5 | 40,5 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 3,41 | 2,59 | 40 | 103,6 | |
| 7 | 42 | Advaith Asokumar | U14 | NA | IND | 1667 | KER | 7 | 51,5 | 55,5 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 3,08 | 2,92 | 40 | 116,8 | ||
| 8 | 13 | Boggarapu Kritan | NA | SCO | 1902 | SCO | 7 | 51 | 56 | 41 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 5,65 | 0,35 | 40 | 14 | |||
| 9 | 54 | Jagajit Sinha | U14 | NA | IND | 1607 | AS | 7 | 51 | 53 | 38,5 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 1,25 | 3,75 | 40 | 150 | ||
| 10 | 21 | Kathir Kaman T | U14 | 5851MDU2025 | IND | 1790 | TN | 7 | 50 | 54 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4,69 | 1,31 | 40 | 52,4 | ||
| 11 | 2 | IM | Ajay Karthikeyan | 29538CHE2025 | IND | 2178 | TN | 7 | 49 | 53 | 38,75 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6,17 | -0,17 | 20 | -3,4 | ||
| 12 | 7 | Gokul G | U14 | 9019VPM2025 | IND | 1971 | TN | 7 | 48,5 | 52,5 | 40 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5,93 | -0,93 | 40 | -37,2 | ||
| 13 | 15 | WCM | Shanmathi Sree S | F14 | w | 24410CHE2025 | IND | 1862 | TN | 7 | 48,5 | 52,5 | 38,75 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6,33 | -0,33 | 40 | -13,2 |
| 14 | 24 | Mutyalapati Modith Aaroh | U11 | NA | CAN | 1775 | CAN | 7 | 48,5 | 49,5 | 34 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 3,75 | 2,25 | 40 | 90 | ||
| 15 | 29 | Revlin Ram R H | U14 | 5056KKI2025 | IND | 1749 | TN | 7 | 47,5 | 51 | 36 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4,17 | 1,83 | 40 | 73,2 | ||
| 16 | 22 | Alaguraja M.A. | S55 | 5531MDU2025 | IND | 1786 | TN | 7 | 47 | 51,5 | 39 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 6,5 | 4,66 | 1,84 | 20 | 36,8 | ||
| 17 | 17 | Savanth Krishnan R | U14 | NA | IND | 1847 | KER | 7 | 45,5 | 46,5 | 34 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6,83 | -0,83 | 40 | -33,2 | ||
| 18 | 14 | Abdallah M Nisthar | NA | IND | 1880 | KER | 6,5 | 53 | 58 | 40,25 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 5,5 | 5,84 | -0,34 | 20 | -6,8 | |||
| 19 | 5 | CM | Barath Kalyan M | 8034TNJ2025 | IND | 2044 | TN | 6,5 | 49,5 | 54,5 | 37 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5,5 | 6,63 | -1,13 | 20 | -22,6 | ||
| 20 | 16 | Chujeeth Vignesh A | 11932THE2025 | IND | 1853 | TN | 6,5 | 49 | 52 | 34,25 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5,5 | 5,78 | -0,28 | 20 | -5,6 | |||
| 21 | 18 | Sidharth Mohan | NA | IND | 1835 | KER | 6,5 | 49 | 52 | 33,75 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5,5 | 5,62 | -0,12 | 40 | -4,8 | |||
| 22 | 80 | Viraat Jalan | U14 | NA | IND | 1503 | JH | 6,5 | 47,5 | 51,5 | 35,75 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 3,5 | 0,99 | 2,51 | 40 | 100,4 | ||
| 23 | 43 | Jayakrishna H | 10630CHE2025 | IND | 1662 | TN | 6,5 | 47,5 | 48,5 | 32 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 4,5 | 2,95 | 1,55 | 20 | 31 | |||
| 24 | 28 | WCM | Kashthuri Bhai R | w | NA | IND | 1751 | A&D | 6,5 | 46,5 | 49,5 | 32,75 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5,5 | 5,73 | -0,23 | 40 | -9,2 | |
| 25 | 44 | Lenin A G | 11182VNR2025 | IND | 1660 | TN-V | 6,5 | 46,5 | 49,5 | 32,75 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 5,5 | 3,78 | 1,72 | 20 | 34,4 |
About the Author
IA Jeyam Subbaiah C is one of the youngest International Arbiters and a Fair Play Executive candidate from Tamil Nadu. Deeply passionate about chess and its regulations, he actively conducts training sessions and workshops on the Laws of Chess. He has delivered revision classes for FIDE Arbiter and Senior National Arbiter exams across various places, including Ahmedabad, Karaikudi, Trichy and Tuticorin.
Jeyam has also demonstrated excellence in his own officiating journey securing third rank in the International Arbiter Seminar and Examination, fourth rank in the FIDE Arbiter Examination, and joint first rank in the Senior National Arbiter Examination. After completing his B.Pharm at Madurai Medical College, he is currently pursuing his MBA in National Forensic Sciences University, Ahmedabad.
The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed
