R R Laxman Won the 1st Dhakshinamoorthy Memorial Open Rapid FIDE Rated Chess Tournament-2017

• August 29, 2017
• in Chess, Chess Spotlights, Flash News, Tournament News

Grand Master R R Laxman of ICF won the 1^st Dhakshinamoorthy Memorial Open Rapid FIDE Rated Chess Tournament organized by Master Mind Chess Academy. The two days event was held at Ganesh Kalyana Mandabam, Pammal, Chennai on 22^nd & 23^rd July, 2017. The Prize fund of Rs.2,00,000/- was split into 20 Main Prizes, 33 Special Prizes & 83 Trophies for age categories. The winner gets Rs.21,000/- and a glittering trophy. The Event attracted 408 players from 10 states, out of which 239 players were internationally rated players.

At the end of 5^th round, top seed players sailed smoothly. Eight Players were leading with full five points. In the sixth round Ram S Krishnan, former national rapid champion lost to Eighteenth Seed Player Hemanth Raam of Chennai. Laxman took the sole lead at the end of seventh round. Unstoppable Laxman went onto win against Ajay Krishna of Chennai in the eighth round.

In the final round Laxman drew with his team mate IM Praveen Kumar to lift the winner trophy and cash award of Rs. 21,000/- with 8.5 pts. A Shankar of Southern Railways finished second place with 8 points and IM Praveen Kumar C of ICF finished 3^rd place with 7.5 points.

Mr. Natarajan, org. Secretary took the initiative to conduct this tournament in the name of Mr. Dhakshinamoorthy who lived a life of love for chess and left on 21^st February 2017, at the age of 92 years. “I am a lonely soul, and my house is always open to anyone who wishes to play chess,” was one of his cryptic sentences.

Mr. Natarajan who is organizing many tournaments now a day. He gave prizes to all kids under the age of eight, also a memento in memory of Mr. Dhakshinamoorthy to all the 408 players, arbiters and officials. He also arranged a seminar class before the prize distribution which was taken by Mr. Saravanan, International Master. He shared the memories of Mr. Dhakshinamoorthy chess life and his chess knowledge to the young kids who were present in the function.

Prizes were distributed by Saravanan V, International Master. Dignitaries present on the dais were Mr. T J Suresh Kumar,ICF, Mr. R R Vasudevan, International Arbiter, Mr. Ilan Kumar, MMCA, Mr. Babu, MMCA, Mr. Chandrasekaran, MMCA and MR. Natarajan, Secretary, MMCA.