Tamil Nadu to host 50 IM-norm Closed Circuit tournaments by IA R Anantharam

The first tournament of the 50 Closed Circuit IM-norm tournament started on 16th October 2023 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association - Dr. M Manickam, proposed the idea, to produce more and more International Masters in Tamil Nadu which will eventually result in having more Grandmasters from the state. Thus, the concept of 50 IM-norm tournaments was born. The government of Tamil Nadu has assured to render a helping hand by providing financial assistance. Each tournament carries the prize fund US$ 1000 (approx. ₹85000). Out of the five/six Indians, two will be fielded by AICF and the remaining three/four players will be from home state - Tamil Nadu.

A Never Before Heard Series in the Indian History

The President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association - Dr. M Manickam, son of Dr. N Mahalingam, former President of All India Chess Federation, proposed the innovative idea to produce more and more International Masters in Tamil Nadu. He mooted the concept of organizing 50 international norm closed circuit tournaments in various cities of Tamil Nadu, which will, in turn, generate more Grandmasters later. The government of Tamil Nadu has assured to render a helping hand by providing financial assistance. This will be a boon to deserving and potential youngsters who cannot travel abroad to secure IM-norms.

Format of the Tournaments

Each tournament will be of nine rounds, comprising ten players, likely to be four/five foreigners and five/six Indians. Among the Indians, two players will be fielded by the All India Chess Federation from the pool of potential candidates from states other than Tamil Nadu and the remaining three or four players will be from the home state.

Efforts have been made to choose players so that the average rating of the opponents for each IM norm aspirant has to be a minimum of 2230. If the average rating has a range of 2230 to 2283, then the player has to score at least seven points against nine opponents to get the IM norm. It is enough to score 6.5 points, if the average rating is 2284 to 2324. The norm seekers also have to meet three IMs or GMs and two more title holders.

Tournament Committee Chairman: Dr. M Manickam, President, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association
Tournament Director: P Stephen Balasamy, Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association
Tournament Coordinator: R Anantharam IA, Vice President, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association

Mobile: +9194431 55852
E-Mail: imnorm.tn@gmail.com
Phone: TNSCA: +91 44 2538 4477

About the Author

Prof. Rathinam Anantharam is an A-grade international arbiter. Member of FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, Chairman of Titles Commission in All India Chess Federation, Vice President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Chief Arbiter for six world championships, and many Asian, International, and National Championships.