Dreev triumphs, Rohit, Arun Prasad, Abhjeet Gupta & Adhiban make norms

Report on the Parsvnath International Open by R. R. Vasudevan

Top seed Grandmaster Alexei Dreev of Russia was stretched a little, but came up trumps in the fifth edition of Parsvnath International Open at IGI Stadium, New Delhi. His final round win over upcoming Indian teenager B Adhiban gave him the winner's purse of Rs. 200,000 (€3,500 or US $4,500). Dreev, rated 2658, defeated B. Adhiban to finish a clear winner with 8.5 out of a possible 10 points.

GM Alexey Dreev makes a ceremonial move against Parsvnath chairman Mr Pradeep Jain

Checking for electronic devices (with cap: IM D.P. Singh, who has recently come under suspicion of receiving external help during his games)

View of the tournament hall

The "Champions' Corner"

In the game Alexei Dreev vs Babu n Sudhakar

Tania Sachdev getting a cash award for winning the National Women championship from Mr. Pradeep Jain, sponsor and chairman of Parsvnath Developers ltd.

GM Abhijit Kunte (left) in heavy winter clothing

December and January are peak winter time in New Delhi. In fact a number of players, including GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly, were off color in the first half of the event, as they adjusted to the "extreme cold climate": the day temperature ranged below 10° Celsius, while it dipped even further at night. Before you collapse in laughter you should remember: temperatures like these are so rare that there is no heating system installed in the playing hall.

Indian super-prodigy Prince Bajaj vs D.P. Singh

Clash of generations at the Parsvnath International Open

Half a point adrift of Dreev were seven players – Rohit, GMs Ahmed Adly of Egypt, Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh, four-time national champion Surya Shekhar Ganguly, IMs Enamul Hossain and Abdulla Al-Rakib of Bangladesh, and Vikramaditya Kamble. All these players got a little over Rs. 50,000 for their efforts.

Ahmed Adly finished the second runner up and Rahman and Ganguly were fourth and fifth after the tiebreak was resolved under Bucholz system.

It was a rich haul for the Indian juniors, as four juniors made the grade with GM and IM Norms. Rohit continued his fine run from the National "A" onwards when he made it to the Indian team this year. Here, he completed his third and final International Norm along with his maiden Grandmaster Norm.

Even as he lost, Adhiban, held Dreev, who was playing with white, for over three hours to last 57 moves on the top board. Adhiban maintained equal positions till quite some time and then went attacking his weak queen side pawns but his inexperience showed as he delayed the exchange and had to resign despite a creditable show.

Rohit was equally superb in his final round as he drew with Adly, who played an irregular opening and exchanged queens with the Indian in the 36th move. The game developed into the queen-pawn ending and then Rohit claimed his opponent's King.

17-year-old G. Rohit

"I could have taken his pawn, in fact. I had also offered him the draw in 18th move," Rohit said after the match. In an interesting match of the day, Abhijeet Gupta, with black lost a winning game against Ziaur Rahman in 60 moves. Abhijeet unexpectedly blundered away a completely won position in the endgame, falling to a checkmate.

Ganguly, who defeated Shukhrat Safin with black pieces in 46 moves, said he was satisfied with his performance in the tournament. "I am satisfied because at the end I am winning some rating points. Also eight points is not very bad because initially I was really not doing well being indisposed," he said.

The winner, Alexey Dreev, receiving his trophy and the $4,500 first prize

The field included 345 players including 13 grandmasters. Under the able leadership of Mr Pradeep Jain of the Parsvnath Developers, this flagship annual event in India's capital city is improving by playing strength every year, as well setting high standards of organizing.

Final Standings

Full results of all players are to be found here. IM D.P. Singh, who is currently rated 2523, finished on place 96. We have received a PGN file of the games, but they are in terrible condition and can only be touched by the truly dauntless chess fans.