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Aravindh Chithambaram ascends 2nd Chennai Grand Masters with a photo finish, Arjun Erigaisi third

by Shahid Ahmed - 11/11/2024

Aravindh Chithambaram won 2nd Chennai Grand Masters 2024 in a photo finish. He needed a win in the final round to put himself in the conversation for the first place. Levon Aronian drew his game quickly with M Amin Tabatabaei. Aravindh needed to win and hope for Arjun to draw. It is exactly what happened. Aravindh defeated Parham Maghsoodloo with his sheer will and determination. Arjun could not manage to win against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, despite having two queens on the board. Of course, it was not easy. All three - Aravindh, Aronian and Arjun ended with 4.5/7. Aronian defeated Arjun in Playoffs by winning Armageddon. He drew it with black pieces. However, Aravindh utilized all his experience of playing 14 rounds of Blitz at 10th Gashimov Memorial, vanquished Aronian in both games to become the champion. What an amazing performance by Aravindh. This definitely marks the 'Age of Aravindh Chithambaram'. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy and Anmol Bhargav

Pranav Venkatesh claims the Challengers, qualifies to next edition's Masters

Pranav Venkatesh needed a draw in the final round against Leon Luke Mendonca to become the champion. That is exactly what he managed to achieve to become the champion 5.5/7. Leon secured second place 5/7. Top seed, Raunak Sadhwani scored 4/7 to finish third. Pranav becomes the first confirmed participant of the next edition's Masters section as he earned himself a spot. The second edition of Chennai Grand Master was not only bigger and stronger but also had a thrilling finish which very few could have predicted. Aravindh's five draws followed by two wins in the Classical rounds and two more in the Playoffs is what made the finish, a uber exciting one. This was Aravindh's first-ever Classical Super tournament and he won it in a fantastic way.

2nd Chennai GM Champions - Aravindh Chithambaram and Pranav Venkatesh

Masters and Challengers Champions - Aravindh Chithambaram and Pranav Venkatesh standing next to D Gukesh and Vishy Anand

Champion in Masters - Aravindh Chithambaram 4.5/7

Runner-up in Masters - Levon Aronian (USA) 4.5/7

Second Runner-up in Masters - Arjun Erigaisi 4.5/7

Top 3 in Masters (L to R): 2nd Levon Aronian (USA) 4.5/7, 1st Aravindh Chithambaram 4.5/7 and 3rd Arjun Erigaisi 4.5/7 with D Gukesh and Vishy Anand

Champion in Challengers - Pranav Venkatesh 5.5/7
Interview with GM Pranav Venkatesh | Video: ChessBase India

Runner-up in Challengers - Leon Luke Mendonca 5/7

Second Runner-up in Challengers - Raunak Sadhwani 4/7

Challengers Top 3 (L to R): 2nd Leon Luke Mendonca 5/7, 3rd Raunak Sadhwani 4/7 and 1st Pranav Venkatesh 5.5/7 with D Gukesh and Vishy Anand

Masters: Arjun - Vachier-Lagrave: 0.5-0.5

Arjun Erigaisi (2799) drew twice against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2737) in their first Classical games against each other, last month at WR Masters Cup. The final round battle reached a point where human calculation and understanding will triumph over computer analysis. Various Super GMs have already stated that Arjun plays chess which modern engines do not understand. Something similar is also said about Gukesh, although he started using engines much later.

Position after 28.Ne4

28.Ne4 was played to deflect the queen from taking f2-pawn and White's plan to promote remains the same. 28...Qxe4 29.c8Q Bxf2+ 30.Kh1 and after a few moves White fell into a perpetual check.

Position after 36...Ng3+

White has two queens, Black has both of his queen and bishop hanging, still White has no choice but to allow the checks 37.Kh2 Nf1+ 38.Kh1 and a draw was agreed as White has no good way to get out of checks. An outstanding finish, fitting for a final round game which should definitely make it into future books.

Even two queens were not enough to subdue Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Levon Aronian - M Amin Tabatabaei: 0.5-0.5

Parham - Aravindh: 0-1

Aravindh Chitambaram (2706) lost his last Classical encounter against Parham Maghsoodloo (2706) at Grand Swiss last year. That's his sole loss out of their four Classical battles. Aravindh was in a must-win situation in the final round. Since Aronian drew much earlier, he had to win and hope Arjun doesn't.

Position after 15...Kg8

He did not have an ideal start. White sacrificed a pawn early in the game. His compensation? The misplaced rook at h7 as Black did artificial castling by moving his king to g8 via f8. But if you carefully evaluate the position, is the rook placed better on h7 than f8? Probably yes.

Position after 34...g6

Black started turning things around in his favor starting with 34...g6 and the remaining conversion towards the win is a perfect model game. This win put Aravindh in the championship contention as he, Aronian and Arjun finished at 4.5/7 in a three-way tie. Due to having best tie-break score, Arjun did not have to play the first Playoff. Aronian and Arjun had to battle for the second and third place playoff.

Aravindh Chithambaram won a must-win game to insert himself in the championship scene

GM Aravindh Chithambaram is now World no.26 with a live rating 2718.1 | Source: 2700chess.com

Levon Aronian won the first Blitz Playoff against Arjun Erigaisi.

Arjun Erigaisi delivered the equalizer in the second one.

Aronian drew the Armageddon with black pieces which means Arjun finished third. Thus, Aronian advanced to face Aravindh in the Finals of Playoff.

Aravindh slightly misplayed in a winning position, which prolonged his win in the first game of the Playoff Finals.

The Final Playoff Game 1 - Aravindh Chithambaram vs Levon Aronian, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

The same thing happened in the second game also, Aravindh missed his initial chance. However, he did not let go of his opportunity on the second time. Of course, these things can happen in Blitz, but the most important part is, he was determined to win and he won the game. In neither game, he was ever in danger.

Challengers: Pranav - Leon: 0.5-0.5

Pranav Venkatesh (2602) defeated Leon Luke Mendonca (2631) last month at Romania Team Championship. It was his first win over Leon in a Classical rated game. A month and a week later, Pranav got white pieces again in their rematch. He just needed a draw to become the champion and he had no trouble in achieving it. Next year, Pranav will play in the Masters section.

Pranav Venkatesh - Leon Luke Mendonca: 0.5-0.5

Photo Gallery

Sport Development Authority of Tamil Nadu awarded ₹100000 to D Gukesh

Aravindh Chithambaram lifted by his coach - GM FST R B Ramesh

Pranav Venkatesh with his coach - GM Shyam Sundar M

The next world champion meets India's only world champion?

Next possible world champion greets World Blitz 2021 champion - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Will they face each other at a future World Championship Match?

Our Cofounder and CEO - IM Sagar Shah observes the exchange of joy between Aravindh Chithambaram and D Gukesh

Closing ceremony

Group photo of Masters

Group photo of Challengers

For more Round 7 - Part 1 and 2, Prize Distribution Ceremony - Part 1 and 2 photos, please click at the respective links.

Coach RB Ramesh meets his Students at the Chennai Grandmasters 2024 | Video: ChessBase India
Vishy and Gukesh award the winners of the Chennai Grand Masters 2024 | Video: ChessBase India

Replay live stream

Replay Round 7 and Playoff live commentary by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and GM B Adhiban | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Masters Round 7 and Playoff games

Replay Challengers Round 7 games

Masters Round 7 results

Bo.No.Rtg WhiteResultBlack RtgNo.PGN
142739
GMAronian, Levon½ - ½GMTabatabaei, M. Amin
26868PGN
252679
GMSarana, Alexey½ - ½GMVidit, Santosh Gujrathi
27393PGN
362799
GMErigaisi, Arjun½ - ½GMVachier-Lagrave, Maxime
27372PGN
472712
GMMaghsoodloo, Parham0 - 1GMAravindh, Chithambaram Vr.
27061PGN

Details

Final standings

Rk.SNo NameFEDRtgIPts. TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4 
11
GMAravindh, Chithambaram Vr.IND27064,51,515,2521
24
GMAronian, LevonUSA27394,5114,5020
36
GMErigaisi, ArjunIND27994,50,514,0033
48
GMTabatabaei, M. AminIRI26864012,5021
52
GMVachier-Lagrave, MaximeFRA2737309,5010
67
GMMaghsoodloo, ParhamIRI27122,51,58,0010
75
GMSarana, AlexeySRB26792,518,5000
83
GMVidit, Santosh GujrathiIND27392,50,59,2500

Details

Round 7 results

Bo.No.Rtg WhiteResultBlack RtgNo.PGN
142602
GMPranav, V½ - ½GMMendonca, Leon Luke
26318PGN
252493
GMDronavalli, Harika½ - ½GMPranesh, M
25803PGN
362652
GMPuranik, Abhimanyu½ - ½GMSadhwani, Raunak
26772PGN
472625
GMKarthikeyan, Murali1 - 0GMVaishali, Rameshbabu
24901PGN

Details

Final standings

Rk.SNo NameFEDRtgIPts. TB1  TB2  TB3  TB4 
14
GMPranav, VIND26025,5016,2542
28
GMMendonca, Leon LukeIND26315014,7531
32
GMSadhwani, RaunakIND26774013,7510
47
GMKarthikeyan, MuraliIND26253,51,58,2531
56
GMPuranik, AbhimanyuIND26523,5110,0022
63
GMPranesh, MIND25803,50,511,0010
75
GMDronavalli, HarikaIND2493206,0000
81
GMVaishali, RameshbabuIND2490103,0000

Details

Where to watch

The entire event will be live-streamed on ChessBase India youtube channel. You can also visit the venue by getting the tickets from Bookmyshow.

Links

MGD1

Buy tickets

ChessBase India


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