Talent-rich Tamil Nadu checkmates the country

G Akash winning the Tata 50th National Premier Chess Championship was both a triumph of the unheralded and proof of how Tamil Nadu’s checkmates rest of the country.

G Akash winning the Tata 50th National Premier Chess Championship was both a triumph of the unheralded and proof of how Tamil Nadu’s checkmates rest of the country. India’s youngest-ever chess champion was part of the 14-player contingent from the state which had the biggest representation in India’s apex competition.

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Barring Vidith Gujrathi and Deep Sengupta, everyone in the six-member India team for all world meets in 2013 are from this state, which also has the maximum GMs in India, 10, including Viswanathan Anand.

“A large number of tournaments happen in Tamil Nadu so it’s easier there than elsewhere in India,” said Akash after emerging best in the event.

Top six:

1. G Akash 9 pts, Rs 1.75 lakh
2. V Gujrathi, 8.5, Rs 1.10 lakh
3. GM Arun Prasad, 8.5, Rs 70,000
4. GM D Sengupta, 8.5, Rs 45,000
5. GM MR Venkatesh, 8, Rs 35,000
6. GM GN Gopal, 8, Rs 25,000

(They will represent India in 2013)