PANJIM: FM Nitish Belurkar, who was selected as part of the Indian contingent for the exposure trip to participate in Abu Dhabi Masters International Chess Tournament , displayed great acumen to achieve his 3rd International Masters norm in this tournament.
Nitish is a GENO pharmaceuticals brand ambassador and a student of SS Dempo College of Commerce.
In the very first round, Nitish created a sensation when he held India’s chess prodigy GM Pragganandha R (2569) to a draw. Nitish went on to defeat GM Socko Monika (2436) of Poland and draw with GM Kriakov Petr (2514) of Russia.
Nitish also held IM Alavi Javed (2414) of Iran, IM Oliver Dimakiling (2418) of Phillipines and IM Raunak Sadhwani (2493) of India to a draw.
Overall in the nine rounds, Nitish played against 5 GM’s and 3 IM’s and scored 4.5 points with a performance rating of 2451 and a rating gain of 40.4 ELO points. GM Jobava Baadur (2584) of Georgia won the championship.
Having achieved all his three norms, Nitish will now play to achieve ELO rating of 2400 for the IM title. Nitish is selected to participate in the National coaching camp of All India Chess Federation in September at Delhi and is also selected to represent India in the World Junior Chess Championship to be held in Delhi in October.
Nitish was congratulated by President of Goa Chess Association, Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, Secretary of GCA and Treasurer of AICF, Kishor Bandekar, President TTCA, Mahesh Candolkar and other officials of GCA and TTCA.
