K P Pranav wins Sakthi Group 34th Tamil Nadu IM-norm RR 2025, Apoorv Kamble second

by R Anantharam - 18/11/2025

FM K P Pranav and FM Apoorv Kamble scored an unbeaten 6.5/9 each at Sakthi Group 34th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Round-Robin 2025. Pranav won the tournament on tie-breaks, Apoorv was placed second. Both of them earned an IM-norm each. For Pranav, it was his maiden IM-norm, whereas Apoorv scored his final IM-norm and also crossed 2400 to become one of the latest International Master of India. IM Diasmany Otero Acosta (CUB) scored 6/9 to finish third. The top three prizes were US$ 500, $300 and $200 each. Check out the tournament report written by revered International Arbiter, IA R Anatharam. Photo: IA R Anantharam

Apoorv Kamble becomes an International Master, maiden IM-norm for Pranav

16-year-old youngsters K P Pranav of Chennai and Apoorv Kamble of Karnataka tied for the first place in the 34th Sakthi Group TN IM-norm Closed Circuit Tournament, with seven points each. Pranav won the tournament on better tie-break score. Though Apoorv had to be content with the runner-up position, he had the ecstasy of completing his third and final IM-norm and also crossed 2400 rating, to complete the formalities of the IM title. Pranav also achieved his maiden IM-norm, besides winning a purse of US$ 500.

KP Pranav receives the trophy from G Shyam Sundar, a former under-19 World Cup cricketer. Left to him is D V Sundar, former Vice President, FIDE | Photo: IA R Anantharam

FM Apoorv Kamble of Karnataka finished runner-up | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Cuban IM Diasmany Otero Acosta is the second runner-up | Photo: IA R Anantharam

While Apoorv collected US$ 300, Diasmany got $200 for their second and third ranks. Apoorv might have spent lacs of rupees for one norm in abroad, whereas, he would have not spent even one tenth to get two norms here in two tournaments and the coveted 2400 rating.

Top 3 players - Apoorv Kamble, K P Pranav and IM Diasmany of Cuba with the guests G Shyam Sundar a former under-19 World Cup cricketer and D V Sundar, former Vice President, FIDE | Photo: IA R Anantharam

FM K P Pranav scored an unbeaten 6.5/9, performed at 2469, won the tournament on tie-breaks, gained 92.8 Elo rating points and his maiden IM-norm

FM Apoorv Kamble scored an unbeaten 6.5/9, finished second on tie-breaks, performed at 2459 to earn his final IM-norm and also increased his Elo rating by 22.6 points

The tournament series 31 to 40 has already produced seven IM norms in four tournaments, a measure of the highly successful series. The committee has received more than 120 applications for the selection to participate in the tournament (only five Indian players – generally three from Tamil Nadu and two from other states for each tournament) also indicates the eagerness of the players to achieve norms in India.

FM Dinesh Rajan M sacrificed his bishop and offered his rook to weave a mating net against IM Raul Claverie | Photo: IA R Anantharam

FM Raghav V’s wrong exchange sacrifice and a later rook move blunder paved way for the victory to IM Carlomagno Oblitas (PER) | Photo: IA R Anantharam

B Vignesh lost the game against K P Pranav, due to an incorrect rook move in the endgame | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Apoorv Kamble could not win against Pranav with two connected pawns in a same colour bishop ending in the longest game of the tournament | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Dinesh won the English opening game against IM Jorge Marcos (CUB) by gaining the exchange | Photo: IA R Anantharam

The rook vs bishop with equal pawns went in favour of the bishop owner – Apoorv Kamble. Raghav committed the mistake of allowing Apoorv for two pawns capture | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Dinesh did not handle the Guioco Piano opening properly and paid the penalty. Diasmany sacrificed his knight to reach a commanding position and Dinesh’s pieces were forced to run for safety | Photo: IA R Anantharam

A beautiful queen, rook and bishop combination by Apoorv against a dormant rook by Raul won the game for the former | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Raghav’s knight sacrifice went in vain against Pranav | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Palencia’s queen suddenly vanished from the board, due to a forced series of exchange by Apoorv. The checkmate was unavoidable | Photo: IA R Anantharam

Mr. P Balachandran, IRS, former coach, Indian Women volleyball team and retired Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax inaugurated the tournament.

Inauguration by Mr. P Balachandran, IRS, former Indian women volleyball team coach. Mr. D V Sundar, former Vice President, FIDE is flanked by Mr. Stephen Balasamy P, General Secretary, TNSCA and Mr. G Venkata Kumar, Chief Arbiter

Mr. G Shyam Sundar, former Under-+19 World Cup cricketer, distributed the prizes in the presence of Mr. D V Sundar, former Vice President, FIDE and Mr. B Murugavel, Vice President, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association.

The participants with the guests and officials

Replay all games

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4
1	3	FM	Pranav, K P	IND	2276	6,5	0	27	4	1
2	2	FM	Apoorv, Kamble	IND	2365	6,5	0	25,5	4	3
3	8	IM	Otero Acosta, Diasmany	CUB	2326	6	0	24,75	4	2
4	7	FM	Dinesh, Rajan M	IND	2349	5	0	19,25	3	1
5	10	IM	Gomez Sanchez, Jorge Marcos	CUB	2272	4,5	0	18,25	3	2
6	9	IM	Oblitas, Carlomagno	PER	2379	4	0	17	1	1
7	5	IM	Claverie, Raul	ARG	2184	4	0	16,5	2	1
8	4	FM	Raghav, V	IND	2357	3,5	0	13,5	3	3
9	1	AGM	Vignesh, B	IND	2288	2,5	1	8,5	2	1
10	6	IM	Palencia Morales, Wilson Guillermo	COL	2206	2,5	2	12,25	1	1

Details

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, many Asian, International and National Championships. Nominated as one of the top seven arbiters in the world for the past hundred years by FIDE.

The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed