August Aravindh Chithambaram clinches 20th Delhi GM Open 2023, Sethuraman third

Undefeated Aravindh wins four tournaments in-a-row, 11-year-old Ethan Vaz impresses

GM Aravindh Chithambaram has played four tournaments in 2023 and he has won them all while also remaining undefeated. He played one team and three individual tournaments in 2023 and became champion in each of those events - 42nd National Team Open, National Rapid, National Blitz and now 20th Delhi GM Open. Four tournaments, three different formats, undefeated in 41 rated games in 2023 - the result is the same, champion in all of them. Currently, he is undoubtedly the most all-round Indian performer of the year so far. He did not show any vulnerability in a single game at this event. He is sponsored by AMM Foundation.

For the second consecutive year, a National champion won the Delhi Open. Last year, National Senior Open champion, Arjun Erigaisi won the 19th Delhi GM Open 2022. This time, the three-time consecutive National Rapid and Blitz champion, Aravindh Chithambaram won the 20th edition. This triumph also ensured that an Indian won this event for three consecutive editions, something that has never happened before.

It would be remiss if the reigning Commonwealth Under-12 Open champion, Asian Under-12 Open Standard and Blitz Gold medalist, Ethan Vaz's breakout performance is not mentioned. The 11-year-old boy from Goa scored a fantastic 8.5/10 to finish sixth in tie-breaks. He finished his event with a win over GM Stany G A. Before that he drew with GM Alexei Fedorov and IM Viani Antonio Dcunha. All three are strong titled players. The tournament rating average might not have allowed him to score a norm, however, a performance like this can certainly be attributed to the success of the tournament. He is gaining 104.4 Elo rating points in this event. The Commonwealth and Asian Gold medalist is surely going to be a talent to watch out for in the years to come.

Aravindh - Levan

GM Aravindh Chithambaram (2607) got a pleasant position out of the Benoni Opening against GM Levan Pantsulaia (GEO, 2597).

White's position already looks quite pleasant even though the computer might disagree. It is true, White's advantage would be substantially bigger if the c2 pawn were at c4. The game continued 15...Qe8 16.h4 f5 17.Qd2 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Nbxd5 White can certainly afford to give up the pawn as Black gave up his dark squared bishop. 19.Bh6 Rf6 20.c4 Nb6 21.Qc3 Nxe6 22.Rxd6! Nd4 23.Nxd4 although Rxd4 is what the ruthless machine says, Aravindh went for the humane 23.Nxd4 exd6 24.Nf3 Rf7 25.Bc1 the sniper decides to shift into a better diagonal h6 26.Bxh6 Qxe6 27.Re1 Qxc4 28.Qd2 White is playing someone who wants to win.

28...Rf6 is what broke the camel's back 29.Re7! and there is no way to control the damage for Black f4 30.Ng5 Nd5 31.Re4 Qa2 32.Qe1 and Black had to give up material to delay the inevitable. Aravindh went on to win the game and his fourth consecutive tournament of the year.

Prize distribution ceremony

For more Round 10 and Prize distribution ceremony photos, please click at the respective links.

A total of 1060 players including 19 GMs and 10 IMs took part from 13 countries across the world including India. The eight day ten-round Swiss League Rating tournament was organized by Delhi Chess Association from 23rd to 30th March 2023 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.

Replay Round 10 games

Round 10 results

Details

Final standings

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Links

Official site

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