24th to 29th June 2017 at St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Chennai – 119
St.Joseph’s College Sponsored 7th St. Joseph’s International FIDE Rating Chess Tournament was organized by Mount Chess Academy at St. Joseph’s college of Engineering, Old Mamallapuram Road, Jeppiaar Nagar, Chennai- 119, from 24th to 29th June 2017.
This event had attracted 548 players from 13 states which includes 375 FIDE rated players took part in the 9 rounds Swiss tournament. The total prize fund was Rs. 2, 00,000/- and prizes were given to the top fifty players and five prizes each in the 8 categories. The Entire prize money was sponsored by St. Joseph Group of Institutions, Chennai
This event was inaugurated by Dr. B.Babu Manoharan, Managing Director, St.Joseph’s group of educations on 24th June 2017 and he welcomed all players for the 7th Annual chess event and assured to host this International FIDE rated event every year.
At the end of the 5th Round 4 players including top seeded Tarun V kanth, Muthaiah, Joy Lazer and Vinothkumar of Pondy were leading with 5 points each. Bunch of 14 players were trailing the leaders with 4.5points each. At the end of the sixth round Muthaiah and Joy Lazer defeated overnight leaders Tarun Kanth and Vinothkumar respectively and jumped in to lead with 6 points each. AGM Vignesh,Vikramjit Singh and Roshan were closely following the leaders with 5.5 points each. In the seventh round overnight leaders held to draw in a well fought game. Veteran Joy Lazer utilized his experience and hold higher seeded Muthaiah. Vikramjit singh outwitted young Vinesh and joined the leaders with 6.5points.11 players FM Karthik Vekataraman, Hemantraam, Ram S Krishnan, Vijay Sreeram, Vaisnav, Selvamurugan, Vignesh, Balakannama, Tarunkanth, Alan Divya raj and Vinodkumar were half point behind the leaders with 6 points each.
In the penultimate round Al.Muthaiah and Joy Lazer jointly lead with 7.5ponts each. Muthaiah showed his skill and defeated well experienced Vikram Jit Singh of Manipur. Joy lazer outplayed unfancied Vaisnav in one sided battle. Three players Ram S Krishnan, Karthik Venkatraman and Hemant Raam on second spot with 7 points each. In the final and 9th round on the top table AL.Muthaiah employed Caro-Kann against top seeded FIDE Master Karthik Venkataraman and forced opponent to split point in 33moves.On the second Veteran player Joy Lazer was held to a draw by young hold Hemant Raam in the Tarrash defence, Queens gambit in 24moves. On the third board IM norm holder Ram s Krishnan crushed S.Prasanna of Tamil Nadu in 40moves. Ram s Krishnan opted centre counter gambit against Prasanna and game went on to complicated middle game and checkmated the opponent.
Seven players FM Karthik Venkataraman,Vikramjit Singh, Hemant Raam, Alan Divya Raj, BalaKannamma, Anilkumar and Akil were scored 7.5points each and they finished fourth to tenth respectively on tie break.
Shri T.Muthu, Arjuna Awardee, Weight lifter and Dr B.Babu Manoharan, Chairman & Managing Director, St.Joseph’s Group of Institutions distributed the prizes to the winners.
TOP TEN PLACINGS
| Rank | Name | Pts |
| 1 | Muthaiah Al | 8 |
| 2 | Joy Lazar M.A. | 8 |
| 3 | Ram S. Krishnan | 8 |
| 4 | Karthik Venkataraman | 7½ |
| 5 | Singh S. Vikramjit | 7½ |
| 6 | Hemanth Raam | 7½ |
| 7 | Alan Diviya Raj | 7½ |
| 8 | Bala Kannamma P | 7½ |
| 9 | Anilkumar O.T. | 7½ |
| 10 | Akil A S J | 7½ |
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