Bengaluru: Aravindh Chithambaram lit up the Chennai Grand Masters, ending forward of a discipline that comprised three of the world’s high 15 gamers – Levon Aronian, Vidit Gujrathi and India’s highest-ranked participant, Arjun Erigaisi, for his first classical Tremendous event title.
GM Aravindh Chithambaram gained the Chennai Grand Masters Event defeating Levon Aronian within the blitz play-off. (HT)
After 5 consecutive attracts within the first 5 rounds, the 25 year-old Indian scored a large win over Arjun and adopted it up with one other win in opposition to Parham Maghsoodloo within the remaining spherical to search out himself in a three-way tie for first place with Arjun and Aronian.
Within the tiebreaks that adopted, Arjun and Aronian gained a recreation every in blitz and Aronian holding a draw with Black within the Armageddon was sufficient for the Armenian-American GM to see off Arjun. It was then all the way down to Aravindh and Aronian. The Indian held his personal in opposition to the previous world No 2, profitable each his blitz video games to stroll away with the title.
“ I had nothing to lose in this tournament which took pressure off me especially against top guys. Never thought I would win it until I won it. I was trying to be solid in most of the games which worked out well,” Aravindh stated.
In September, Aravindh made his tremendous event debut courtesy being named a last-minute alternative for defending champion Vidit Gujrathi, who determined to remain again in India following the PM’s invitation for the gold-medal profitable Indian Olympiad group. In an occasion which noticed two-time World Championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi develop into champion, Aravindh had his moments, just like the endgame resourcefulness in opposition to Nodirbek Abdusattorov in blitz.
As a junior, Aravindh ticked off the bins of a gifted participant on the right track to a promising future – U-19 nationwide champion at 12, silver on the world U-14 championship, Grandmaster on the age of 15. He introduced himself earlier than the present Indian teen superstars – Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi Gukesh and Nihal Sarin– arrived on the scene. On the Chennai Open GM event which was held similtaneously the 2013 World Championship between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand – then all of 14, he confirmed up 4 GMs, two IMs and posted a score efficiency of 2728 – 400 factors above his Elo.
“It’s pretty rare to find a junior player with a universal style of play,” coach RB Ramesh as soon as stated of Aravindh, calling him essentially the most gifted participant he has coached. “The sort of combination of a great opening batsman and a terrific pacer.”
Aravindh, who misplaced his father when he was three, at all times had a love for preparation. “I like it more than playing tournaments,” he as soon as instructed HT in an interview. Within the tournaments he did present up, he proved his mettle. In 2022, he ran by way of a robust line-up of gamers which included Praggnanandhaa and Arjun, to win the Dubai Open.
Right now he finds himself ranked 26 on the planet, with a stay score of 2718. For a participant who has lengthy been ready within the wings, his time seems to have arrived.