Iniyan Panneerselvam, a 16-year old from Erode became the 61st Grandmaster after achieving 2500 Elo rating at the Noisiel Open Chess Tournament in France, on March 5.
Iniyan Panneerselvam, a 16-year old from Erode became the 61st Grandmaster after achieving 2500 Elo rating at the Noisiel Open Chess Tournament in France, on March 5.
Iniyan was struggling in the last eight months to clear the Elo rating since his rating was fluctuating between 2485 and 2495. Iniyan crossed the 2500 Elo rating by defeating top-seeded GM Sergey Fedorchuk in round six of the Noisiel Open in France.
Iniyan had scored his first GM norm at the Montcada Open in Spain, in 2017. The second norm came at the 34th Bobligen Open in Germany and the final norm was at Barbera Del Valles in Spain, in 2018. Iniyan had the opportunity to cross 2500 with just 2.5 points needed in the last round at the Aeroflot Chess Tournament in Moscow recently where he secured one win, six draws and two losses, but he could not clear the 2500 Elo rating.
"After achieving the 2500 Elo rating, I am relieved now. It was very tough for eight long months since my rating was fluctuating between 2485 and 2495. Now I can focus on developing my game further," exulted a relieved Iniyan. "Crossing 2600 is my next ambition and I will focus to achieve that," he added.
India's pride Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand tweeted hailing Iniyan for his achievement in becoming the 61st Grandmaster in India.
Iniyan was struggling in the last eight months to clear the Elo rating since his rating was fluctuating between 2485 and 2495. Iniyan crossed the 2500 Elo rating by defeating top-seeded GM Sergey Fedorchuk in round six of the Noisiel Open in France.
Iniyan had scored his first GM norm at the Montcada Open in Spain, in 2017. The second norm came at the 34th Bobligen Open in Germany and the final norm was at Barbera Del Valles in Spain, in 2018. Iniyan had the opportunity to cross 2500 with just 2.5 points needed in the last round at the Aeroflot Chess Tournament in Moscow recently where he secured one win, six draws and two losses, but he could not clear the 2500 Elo rating.
"After achieving the 2500 Elo rating, I am relieved now. It was very tough for eight long months since my rating was fluctuating between 2485 and 2495. Now I can focus on developing my game further," exulted a relieved Iniyan. "Crossing 2600 is my next ambition and I will focus to achieve that," he added.
India's pride Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand tweeted hailing Iniyan for his achievement in becoming the 61st Grandmaster in India.