Indian Chess Prodigy Shayaamnikhil Achieves Grandmaster Status After 12-Year Wait

P Shayaamnikhil, a 31-year-old chess prodigy from Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu, has finally achieved his long-awaited dream of becoming India's 85th Grandmaster (GM). After a 12-year wait, Shayaamnikhil secured his third and final GM norm at the recently concluded Dubai Police Masters chess tournament.

Shayaamnikhil's journey to GM status began at the tender age of eight when he was introduced to the game by his parents. Despite facing financial constraints, he relocated to Chennai to pursue his chess aspirations under the guidance of renowned coach K Visweswaran.

In 2011, at the age of 19, Shayaamnikhil earned his first GM norm at the Mumbai Mayors Cup. He followed it up with a second norm at the Indian championship. However, completing the rating requirement proved to be an elusive goal for the next 12 years.

Shayaamnikhil faced numerous setbacks and missed opportunities during this period. He narrowly missed his final norm at the Dubai Open in 2012 and struggled to find success in tournaments in Vietnam and the UAE.

Undeterred, Shayaamnikhil remained determined to achieve his GM title. In 2017, he began competing in Europe, hoping to secure the elusive norm. However, he faced further disappointments, including a missed opportunity at a tournament in France just before the Dubai Police Masters.

With unwavering resolve, Shayaamnikhil entered the Dubai Police Masters with a renewed sense of purpose. He needed just one win and eight draws to complete his GM title. In a nail-biting final round, Shayaamnikhil conjured the necessary victory, securing his third GM norm and the coveted 2500 ELO rating points.

Shayaamnikhil's triumph is a testament to his perseverance and unwavering belief in his abilities. He credits his parents, coach, and the support of his fellow players for his success.

"I started playing at the age of eight, my parents taught me but I could not play any tournament for three years. Winning the under-13 State championship opened up opportunities for me as I could play Asian and age group world championship," Shayaamnikhil recalled.

"Now that the title is done, I can play more freely," he added.

Tags: #Chess, #Grandmaster, #India, #Shayaamnikhil, #DubaiPoliceMasters