4th Parsvnath GM tournament in Delhi

4th Parsvnath International Grandmaster Tournament
14th to 22nd January 2006, New Delhi, India

Report from Delhi by S.K. Kamesh

The 4th Parsvanath International GM Chess Tournament was inaugurated on 14th January 2006 by Mr. Pradeep Jain, Chairman, Parsvanath Group (Chief sponsors of the event) by making the first move on the board at the inaugural function held at Russian Cultural Centre, 24, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi.

Mr. Pradeep Jain, Chairman of the Parsvanath Group, inaugurating the tourney by making the first move

The event is organized by Delhi Chess Association. Over all 315 players participated in the tournament which included 14 GMs, 4 WGMs, 31 IMs, 11 FMs and 1 WIM. However, the attraction and entire focus of the spectators was on Parimarjan Negi, the young lad from the Indian capital city New Delhi, who not only became India's younger ever International Master but also managed one GM norm in the recently concluded Hastings International Chess Congress.

Bharat S. Chauhan, Honorary Secretary of the Delhi Chess Association

Round 1 (15-01-2006 at 10.00 am)

The opening round started in a great style with all the top seeds marching through easily with fine victories. On board 35, IM Parimarjan Negi (2396) started his victory campaign against RS Santosh Baala (1971). On board 90, Janardhan Shrestha, one of the two participants from Nepal and who is an unrated player, celebrated his draw against WGM Swati Ghate (2244).

GM Alexei Fedorov and IM Anuar Isma at the opening ceremony

Round 2 (15-01-2006 at 05.00 pm)

On Board No.1, GM Alexei Fedorov (2608) defeated FM Taibur Rahman (2275). The top six boards saw two draws when GMs Pavel Kotsur (2570) and Abhijit Kunte (2551) were held by Amanov Mesgen (2275) and Joshi G B (2269) respectively. Upset of the day came when Vinodh Kumar M (2226) defeated GM Tejas Bakre (2480) in a game which lasted for just 16 moves. IM Parimarjan Negi continued his form with second straight win over Soumya Swaminathan (2156) on board 35. FM K. Ramu held GM Dibyendu Barua on table 16.

GM Dibyendu Barua, President of the Chess Players Association of India (CPAI)

At the end of this round, 62 players were in lead with 2/2.

Round 3 (16-01-2006 at 01.00 pm)

On the second day, GM Alexei Fedorov outplayed WGM Harika Dronavalli. G.N. Gopal (2353), IM Prathamesh Mokal (2346) and IM T.S.Ravi (2336) breathed easy when they managed ½ point playing black against GM S S Ganguly, GM Konstantin Chernysov and GM Sandipan Chanda. GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh defeated IM Rahul Shetty on table 3. Uzbekistan player GM Marat Dzhumaev won against FM Hasan Mehdi of Bangladesh. On board 24, FM Srinath N (2160) couldn't find ways to defend with white pieces against Parimarjan, who continued his successful run.

GM Nurlan Ibraev (right) in action against K. Ratnakaran

GM Pavel Kotsur (KAZ) GM Abhijit Kunte (IND) and GM Dibyendu Barua, after splitting points in the 2nd round, came back strong against their opponents and made easy wins. WGM Swati Ghate (2244) lost to Sandeep Chitkara (2120). Russian GM, Alexander Raetsky happened to settle for a draw on Board 15 against Purushothaman T (2294).

After the 3rd round, total 17 players shared the top spot with a score of 3/3.

Round 4 (17-01-2006 at 10.00 am)

The upset of the day came when IM Parimarjan Negi defeated fourth seed GM Ziaur Rahman (2557) on board 2 with a wonderful display of tactics. The endgame of this 12-year-old is phenomenal. Top seed GM Alexei Fedorov completely dominated the game with while pieces against IM Vikramaditya Kamble (2495). On board 3, GM Nurlan Ibraev (2523) was held by Arghyadip Das (2402). IM Roktim Bandopadhyay and WGM Tania Sachdev managed ½ point against GM Pavel Kotsur and GM Abhijit Kunte. WGM Nisha Mohota got the best of International Master Vijayalakshmi, when the latter won the game by a wonderful exhibition of tactics & skills. Turkmenistan player IM Simonenko Sergei (2401) suffered a shocking defeat in the hands of unrated player Vikas Sharma (Ind).

At the end of the day, GM Alexei Fedorov, GM Marat Dzhumaev, GM R.B.Ramesh, IM Parimarjan Negi, IM S. Arun Prasad and FM Zhumabaev (Kaz.) shared the top spot with 4 points each.

Round 5 (17-01-2006 at 05.00 pm)

What is this man eyeing? Undoubtedly the Championship!! GM Alexei Fedorov extended his unbeaten record by scoring yet another win against FM Zhumabaev (2405). The young player’s all material resources over the board couldn’t find a solution to break through the defence of Alexei. On the other hand, dream run of IM Parimarjan Negi came to an end when he lost against GM Marat Dzhumaev on board No. 2. The game was over in 30 moves. On table 3, GM R.B. Ramesh agreed for a quick draw against IM Arun Prasad. GM Konstantin Chernysov (2539) received a set back against Himanshu Sharma (2411). Board 10 saw a similar result when IM Satyapragyan (2403) caused another upset of the day against GM Sandipan Chanda.

GM Sandipan Chanda, IM Abhijeet Gupta, IM Roktim Bandopadhyay,
IM Saptarshi Roy Chowduary, IM Satyapragyan, IM S. Kidambi and IM P.Konguvel

GM Alexei Fedorov was joined by GM Marat Dzhumaev at 5 points at the end of this round. The second spot was shared by 7 players at half a point behind the toppers.

Blind Participants Mohd Mishbahul and Vineet Kumar

Round 6 (18-01-2006 at 01.00 pm)

Are we going to see some fireworks on the board? The answer is, undoubtedly, Yes !! GM Alexei Fedorov seems to have digested the Indian cuisine very well. He is simply “Unstoppable”. Here in the 6th round, he displayed class when he outplayed GM Marat Dzhumaev in every department. The irony is that score-sheet was completely illegible after some moves to prepare the game, which lasted for 61 moves. Readers, please excuse !! The picks of the tourney so far, Himanshu Sharma and IM Satyapragyan comfortably held GM SS Ganguly and GM Dibyendu Barua respectively. GM Pavel Kotsur moved to the next round with a comfortable win over IM S Arun Prasad. On Board 5, IM Parimarjan Negi settled for a draw against GM Abhijit Kunte (2551). Yet another player want to show his presence. He is D.P. Singh (2395) who managed a well-deserved victory over GM Nurlan Ibraev on board 7.

GM Alexander Raetsky, GM Konstantin Chernysov, GM Niaz Murshed and GM Ziaur Rahman earned wins. GM Alexei Fedorov jumped into sole lead with 6/6. 100% performance. As many as 16 players joined the 2nd spot with a score of 5/6.

Round 7 (19-01-2006 at 10.00 am)

Top two seeds of the tournament Alexei and Ganguly signed peace on board No. 1. GM Pavel Kotsur defeated GM Alexander Raetsky. Hmmm, well, well, well…. After each round of the competition, apart from the top guns, a new player yells out to the world – “Do not ignore me!!” Besides overnight talents IM Satyapragyan and Himanshu Sharma who won their respective games against Sivanandan B S (2452) and GM Marat Dzhumaev (2516); here comes another young man Saptarshi Roy (2363), who is already having one IM Norm under his kitty. He earned a sweet win over GM Dibyendu Barua (the 2nd GM after Vishy) on board 6. The attraction now moves over to Board 13. The younger ever Indian IM, Parimarjan facing IM Vijayalakshmi (2479). The result is what many fans prayed for. Parimarjan Won !! He is now definitely eyeing for the 2nd GM Norm with three rounds to go. Can anyone stop him?

Alexei tops the charts after this round with 6½ points. GM Pavel Kotsur, IM Sriram Jha, IM Satyapragyan S, FM Zhumabaev, Himanshu Sharma and Saptarshi Roy jointly stood second with 6 points each.

Round 8 (20-01-2006 at 10.00 am)

GM Alexei Fedorov for sure is making his opponents think thrice. IM Sriram Jha faced an uphill task against the roaring tiger on the board and finally succumbed. Alexei won again !! The young Kazakhstan player IM Zhumabaev suffered defeat in the hands of experienced GM Pavel Kotsur. Here comes the game everyone, at least me, waited for. The battle between some picks of the tourney so far – Himanshu Sharma v. IM Satyapragyan. Who is better? None other than IM Satyapragyan, who seemed possessed with the desire to change things his own way. On board 4, Saptarshi Roy agreed for a draw against Bangladesh IM Abdulla Al-Rakib. GM SS Ganguly won against Vikramaditya Kamble (2403) on board 5. IM R.R. Laxman got the best of GM Ziaur Rahman on board 6, when the former lost playing with black pieces. Parimarjan held GM Niaz Murshed and managed ½ point.

Alexei – 7½ Pavel Kotsur & Satyapragyan – 7 each
Rahman, Ganguly, Saptarshi Roy, Konguvel, M.R. Ventakesh – 6½ each

Round 9 (21-01-2006 at 10.00 am)

With one more round after this, players want to make good use of this round. Its how it went – Satyapragyan made good use of all his pieces against Alexei Fedorov, who is undefeated so far. But, Alexei made the best use and subsequently sealed the game. Bangladeshi GM Ziaur Rahman signed peace with GM Pavel Kotsur. Here comes the SHOCK. Board 3. “As good as it gets” Saptarshi Roy, playing with black pieces, stunned second seed GM Surya Sekar Ganguly. Parimarjan called truce with Dibyendu Barua on Board 9, thus making his fans nervous about ‘He will’ or ‘He won’t’ regarding his 2nd GM Norm and making them wait for one last fight. FM Zhumabaev rushed through the game in style when he defeated GM Naiz Murshed of Bangladesh.

Alexei – 8½ Pavel Kotsur, M.R. Venkatesh & Saptarshi Roy – 7½
Rahman, Zhumabaev, Sriram Jha, Sandipan Chanda & Satyapragyan - 7

Final Round (22-01-2006 at 9.30 am)

The top six boards saw five draws. GM Alexei Fedorov and Pavel Kotsur called off the day with a quick draw. Fedorov won the tournament with a wonderful exhibition of chess. His record – 8 wins and 2 draws out of 10 games. Isn’t it a memorable ‘won’. Elegance personified. Words are not enough to describe his performance. So composed and cool he looks. He is definitely the King in this tournament.

Team from Turkmenistan, in the centre Amanov Mesgen who made his IM Norm in Delhi

IM Satyapragyan will never forget this moment. He drew with GM Ganguly and clinched his maiden GM Norm.. What a beautiful performance!! On the other hand, Saptarshi Roy drew with M.R. Venkatesh and managed his 2nd IM Norm. FM Zhumabaev lost to GM Ziaur Rahman on board 3, but he ended the day with celebrations after he managed IM Norm. Do not forget this guy “Amanov Mesgen” from Turkmenistan who joined others in getting an IM Norm.

GM Alexei Fedorov receiving his prize (Rs. 175,000) and the champions trophy

Game of the Day

IM Parimarjan Negi playing against IM Sundararajan Kidambi (2495) for his 2nd GM Norm, from the point of view of his followers’. He must achieve it now or shall wait for another month for the upcoming Aeroflat Open in Moscow. Finally, after the 55th Move comes the result, the much awaited result. With all the media and spectators around his board; with mercury rising even in winter; with pulse beat reducing than required level; with fingers crossed everywhere; and with his father watching the board from 15 yard distance, Parimarjan pulls out a memorable win with black pieces against Kidambi. The silence broke out. It’s decided. Parimarjan makes his 2nd Grand Master Norm in back to back tournaments. He started the tourney from where he left in Hastings. Couple of blunders in the endgame by Kidambi cost him the game. He is all praise for the 12-year-old. What an end to the tourney!! My first coverage of an event saw a great result. As many as 10 players managed Norms.

Conclusion

My coverage of tournaments started with flying colors and ended on the same note. The tourney has seen some wonderful talent coming from every part of India. Parimarjan pulling out 2nd consecutive GM Norm. IM Satyapragyan put up a wonderful performance and claimed his maiden GM Norm. Saptarshi Roy managed his 2nd IM norm. Himanshu Sharma, Arjun D Tiwari, and D.P. Singh, a class of their own. Padmini Rout managed her first WIM norm. Last but never the least, the bright stars from abroad…Amanov Mesgen from Turkmenistan and Zhumabaev from Kazakhstan who joined the rest in receiving the IM Norms.

Players and parents at the closing ceremony

Two blind players also participated in the event. Mohd. Misbahul and Vineet Kumar. In a brief interview with Misbahul, he told me that he’s playing chess for the about four years now and the driving force behind him is his Sports Teacher Mr. Moolchand. He derives inspiration from India’s youngest ever IM Parimarjan Negi. Vineet Kumar is National Gold Medal Winner in Running for Blind People. They are pursuing their studies in the school run by Blind Relief Association (India). Delhi Chess Association has been kind enough to give free entry to these guys besides declaring to bear their one year’s study expenses.

I render my sincere thanks to the information provided by my friends IM Saptarshi Roy Chowdhury, IM Roktim Bandopadhyay, IM R.R. Laxman, IM Arun Prasad and IM Abhijeet Gupta. I also render my sincere thanks to Delhi Chess Association, IM Vishal Sareen, Arbiters and the technical support team for helping me cover this wonderful event and collect as many games as possible.

Young Indian talents. The boy in the red cap is World U10 Champion Sahaj Grover from Delhi

There are quite a few young players who, according to me, will surely come into light in future. Mr. Sahaj Grover, Current World U-10 Champion, Mr. Sethuraman, Ms. Padmini Rout, Mr. S. Nitin, Mr. Vidit Gujarati are few to mention. Watch out !!

GM Norm
Parimarjan Negi (2nd)
S. Satyapragyan (maiden)

IM Norm & WIM Norm
Vikramaditya Kamble
Himanshu Sharma
D.P. Singh
Arjun D. Tiwari
Saptarshi Roy
Amanov Mesgen
Zhumabaev R
Padmini Rout – WIM

4th Parsvnath International Open Chess Tournament
14 to 22 nd January 2006 , New Delhi India, Final standings

Games

We retrieved a fair number of games from the official site, and many more from the autor of this article, in the form of individual PGN files (one per game). How do you import a hundred or more such files into a database? In ChessBase you simply copy them into a separate directory, use "Add folder shortcut" to put it on the database window and then drag the directory onto the database where you want to import the games.

In this way we have collected 199 games from the tournament for you. The names are not standardised and there may be other inaccuracies. But better than nothing, as we always say.

• 199 games in zipped PGN
• Official web site
• Contact: S.K. Kamesh, nskkamesh at rediffmail dot com