Hirthikkesh, emerges as Champion
“Never miss the Spic Tournament” these are the words that we heard from the parents while the Spic tournament was going on from 27th September to 2nd October, 20016. Lovely appreciation from the parents!! Players and parents enjoyed the tournament during the half yearly vocation though it was conducted in six days. Mr Gnanasekaran from Chennai informed that he has been playing continuously for 19 years without any break. There are players like Mr. Gnasekaran, regularly visiting the Spic tournament. For Some players and parents it helped as pilgrimage to Thiruchendur. As the Spic is providing accommodation to the players and the parents, people are getting interest to participate in this tournament. One day Blitz tournament (120participants) entertained the players and parents.
Top seed, Pr. Hirthikkesh of NLC won the title in 29th SPIC FIDE Rated Open Chess tournament at Spic Nagar Thoothukudi, he collected 9 point in 10 rounds and won the Winner’s trophy and pocketing a cash prize of Thirty thousand Rupees. Sippora Paulin of Madurai became the champion in Non medalist section with 9 points.
The Chief guest of the function Shri. Manuel Aaron, India’s first International Master, 9 times National champion, Arjuna award winner gave away the prizes. International Master Mr. Manuel Aaron advised the young players to create will power and give more concentration to the middle game, by referring his own game against former National ‘A’ player Nasir Ali, who played energetically. Mr. S R Ramakrishnan, WTD and the president of Thoothukudi District Chess Association presided over the meeting, Mr. V Madhukar, The president, Spic Nagar Multi Activity Club(SMAC) welcomed the gathering and Mr. Gopalakrishnan Secretary, Thoothukudi District Chess Association proposed the vote of thanks.
Earlier, the 29th SPIC FIDE Rated Open Chess tournament got underway at Spic Community Hall, Spic Nagar,Thuthukudi from 27th September 2016. The event attracted 257 players in Medalist section out of which 165 players are FIDE rated. Players from Kerala, Odhisa, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu participated.
In Non-Medalist section there are 222 players. Spic is the only organization in Tamil Nadu which is conducting chess tournament for Unrated players regularly.
Hirthickkesh Pr of NLC is the top seeded. The total prize fund of the event was One Lakh Fifty thousand in medalist section, out of which, Rs. 30000/- was reserved to the winner. The total prize fund for Non medalist was Rs.23100/- The tournament was declared open by Shri. Kannan DEE, Pollution control board.
11 years old Thiruvarur boy Jeyadev R Balan’s win against P Rajasekaran of Thoothukudi and 10 years old Virudhunagar boy Jagendran Kamak’s win against Godson Merlin of Kanyakumari are the two upset in round two. Hirthickkesh Pr of Neyveli and Shakthi Vishal of Thoothukudi shared the lead with 6 points at the end of round six. In round seven Shakthi Vishal lost to the top seeded Hirthikkesh which helped Hirthikkesh to become the sole leader. Once again the winning strike continued on round eight as Hirthickkesh beat Godson Merlin of Kanyakumari and maintained the sole lead with 8 points. Hirthickkesh drew his game against the second seeded Barath Kalyan from Thanjavur in round nine and maintained one point lead at the end of the penultimate round. Hirthickkesh needed only a draw in the last round for his title and that came from the veteran player M J Noohu from Chennai. Hirthickkesh won the title with 9 points. Paramasivam of Virudhunagar and Balakannamma of Chennai scored 8 points each at the end of final round and tied for the second place, but better tie break helped Paramasivam became the runner up.