How Did Karnataka's Avani Become Champion in All India Chess Masters?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Avani Udipi showcased remarkable skill and strategic thinking.
- The tournament was held at the Mumbai Chess Centre.
- Avani's tiebreaker score of 36.5 was crucial for her victory.
- Six players tied with 6.5 points, showcasing the competitive nature of the event.
- Avani's win highlights the rise of young chess talent in India.
Mumbai, May 17 (NationPress) In an impressive display of skill, Karnataka's 20-year-old Avani Udipi has claimed victory in the All India Chess Masters tournament, a FIDE-rated classical chess event that concluded at the Mumbai Chess Centre, Russian House on Saturday.
Avani secured the top prize of Rs 30,000 after finishing the tournament with seven points, matching the score of Maharashtra’s Mayuresh Parkar, who took home Rs 20,000 for his second-place finish.
With a FIDE rating of 1669 before the tournament began, Avani was declared the champion thanks to her superior tiebreaker score, surpassing Parkar's rating of 1757.
According to chief arbiter Ajinkya Pingale, Avani's tiebreak score was 36.5, compared to Parkar's 32, which proved crucial for her victory.
The tournament featured eight rounds of fierce competition, with players showcasing their talents throughout. Avani's consistency against her opponents was key to her success. A notable highlight included the under-10 contestant Parv H Hakani, who finished eighth with 6.5 points.
The competitive atmosphere was evident, with six players finishing with 6.5 points from third to eighth place.
On Friday, Yash Kapadi and Darsh Shetty maintained their joint lead in the event after their highly anticipated Round 7 clash ended in a hard-fought draw.
Kapadi, playing with the white pieces on the top board, was engaged in a tightly contested match that went down to the wire. Following the draw, both players remained at the top of the tournament standings with 6.5 points each.
Results:
Eighth and final round:
Mayuresh Parkar (ILO 1757) 1 beat 0 Yash Kapadi (ILO 1879); Darsh Shetty (ILO 1833) 0 lost 1 Avani Udipi (ILO 1669); Reyaansh Venkat (ILO 1697) 0.5 drew with 0.5 Om Gada (ILO 1814); Daksh Jagesia (ILO 1882) 0.5 drew with 0.5 Parv Hakani (ILO 1671); Kush Agarwal (ILO 1850) 1 beat 0 Dhruv Muthe (ILO 1674).