Sakthi Group 35th Tamil Nadu IM Norm Closed Circuit Tournament Kicks Off in Chennai
The 35th Sakthi Group Tamil Nadu IM Norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament was inaugurated in grand manner at Hotel Chennai Le Palace, Porur, on November 6, 2025. The event, organized by the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association (TNSCA), will run until November 12, 2025.
Inauguration of Sakthi Group 35th Tamil Nadu IM Norm Closed Circuit Tournament – Chennai
The inauguration ceremony was led by Thiru. S. Antony Joel Prabhu, Chennai District Sports & Youth Welfare Officer, who made the ceremonial first move against CM Barath Kalyan. He was joined by Thiru. Stephen Balasamy P. (General Secretary, TNSCA & Tournament Director), Thiru. Srinivasan R. (Treasurer, TNSCA), FI & IA Bhaskar V. (Tournament Coordinator), and Thirumathi Srirenga Nachiyar (Chief Arbiter), along with all participating players.
This edition features 10 players competing in a all-play-all round-robin format with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. The total prize fund of USD 1,000 (approximately ₹89,000) includes USD 500 for the winner along with the Sakthi Group Trophy, followed by USD 300 and USD 200 for the second and third places respectively.
IM Oblitas Carloimagno of Peru heads the field as the top seed with a FIDE rating of 2321. The presence of three players rated above 2300 promises a highly competitive tournament.
The international line-up includes:
- IM Raul Claverie (Argentina)
- IM Palencia Morales Wilson Guillermo (Colombia)
- IM Gomez Sanchez Jorge Marcos (Cuba)
- IM Otero Acosta Diasmany (Cuba)
India’s IM norm hopefuls taking part are:
- Hemanth Raam (Tamil Nadu)
- CM Barath Kalyan M (Tamil Nadu)
- Sanjay Narayanan P. S. (Tamil Nadu)
- CM Mukund Hemant Agarwal (Gujarat)
- FM Potawad Anirudhha (Maharashtra)
The nine-round tournament will see these young Indian talents battling it out for the prestigious International Master (IM) norm, which requires a minimum score of 7 points.
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