15th KCM Open FIDE Rated Chess Tournament organized by Kovai Chess Mates Sports Trust was held from 28th September to 2nd October 2019 at Sri Krishna KounderKalyana Mandapam, Ganapathy, Coimbatore – 641006.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. N. Jayabal, President, Coimbatore District Chess Association by making the first move on the top board. The other dignitaries present on the dais were Mr. Senthil Chinnasamy, President, Kovai Chess Mates Sports Trust, Dr. G.G. Sathiesh, International Arbiter, Chief Arbiter of the Event, Mr. K. Dhanasekar, Secretary, Coimbatore District Chess Association and members of Kovai Chess Mates Sports Trust. The event had attracted a total of 343 players out of which 298 are from Tamilnadu, 45 players from other states and 1 player from ICF. Out of 343 players, 222 players are rated. Two International Masters (IM) Muthaiah AL from Tamilnadu, top seed of this tournament and Girinath P.D.S. from Andhra Pradesh are notable participants. Visually Challenged player Mohammed Salih from Kerala also participated in this tournament.
Manigandan S S of Madurai clinched the title of the 15th KCM International Open FIDE Rated Chess Tournament with the cash prizes of Rs. 50,000/-. He and IM Muthaiah Al both scored 8 points but the better tie break score paved the way for the former’s title. IM Muthaiah Al took home the runner’s cash prize of Rs. 40,000/-. Vigneshwaran N, of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu won the first prize of
Rs.15000/- in the special prizes category of FIDE Rating Elo 1401-1600 scoring 7 points. Sooriya B Y of Tamilnadu secured 5 points to win the first prize of Rs.12000/- for the special prizes category of FIDE Rating Elo 1201-1400. Sharanesh S of Kerala won the first prizes of Rs.7000/- in the Best Unrated player category by securing 5 points out of 9 rounds. Santhosh G of Tamilnadu scored 5 points to win the first prize of Rs.10000/- in the special prizes category of FIDE Rating Elo 1000-1200. Subramanian V of Tamilnadu won the Best Veteran prize of Rs.4000/- scoring 6½ points and Kharunya C.S. won the Best Women (Above 18) prize of Rs.4000/- scoring 5½ points.
Four players born in 2013 participated in this tournament and best younger player was awarded to Athvik M, he scored 3 points and bettering Dharsh M on tie break score.
Other than these cash awards, top 3 players of Coimbatore under age categories 9,11,13 and 15 were awarded cash prizes and top 10 players in age categories Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 were given trophies.
The Chief Guest of the prize distribution function was
Mr. V.Vijayaraghavan, Joint Secretary, TNSCA. He along with the members of Kovai Chess Mates Sports Trust distributed the prizes.
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