Nirupama earns praise at chess tournament in Chennai

Kotepalli Sai Nirupama (FIDE rating 1916), a 14-year-old IX standard student from Andhra Pradesh, held her far higher rated Grandmaster Eshan Ghaem Maghami (2589) of Iran to a creditable draw on the top board of the Chennai Open International chess tournament  on Monday.

Opting for the Reti opening with white pieces, Nirupuma played a tactically correct game to give the top seeded Iranian no leeway and split the point. Maghami had to settle for the draw after 42 moves.

Osama Salim, another 14-year-old from Chennai, split the point with third seeded Kryakvin Dmitry of Russia, while 1998-born B Kumaran let India’s second Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua off the hook.

The tournament will be played on a 11-round Swiss League basis. It carries a total purse of Rs 10,14,500.