Coimbatore District Chess Association inaugurated the Sakthi Group’s 36th Tamil Nadu IM Norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament on 14th November 2025 and continues till 20th November 2025 at Hotel Alankar Grande in Coimbatore.
It was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Manickam, Chairman, Sakthi Group & President, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association.
Sundar, Former Vice President, FIDE; Stephen Balasamy; General Secretary of the state association; and Srinivasan, Treasurer, were the special guests.
Senthil Chinnasamy, President, and Dhanasekar, Secretary from the District Association, graced the inauguration.
Benefits of the tournament
The tournaments are a cost-effective alternative for Indian IM norm aspirants who cannot afford to compete abroad.
Players achieved multiple norms and ratings within a short time and for a fraction of the cost.
Of 35 tournaments held, 22 IM norms were achieved, demonstrating the project’s high success rate in producing future International Masters and Grandmasters.
Players who participated in specific norm tournaments achieved high-level chess titles.
Titles attained include world champion, international master, and grandmaster.
How players are selected?
Players are selected based on rating, availability, and current form by a committee of chess experts.
A minimum of seven points is required to achieve the IM norm in the 36th tournament.
International Masters
Ayan Allahverdiyeva, a player became under 18 world champion after participating in the tournament.
Pentaala Harikrishna, another player, became a grandmaster after playing in the tournament.
Several players, including Harsh Suresh and Karthik Rajaa, achieved IM norms in the Sakthi Group TN IM norm tournaments and subsequently became international masters.
