Saptarshi Roy ChowdhuryIndian IM Saptarshi Roy Chowdhury achieved his third and final norm of Grandmaster when the lad from Kolkata emerged unbeaten champion in the Six Season Chess Tournament at the Tulip Hall of Uttara Club here yesterday.
However, none of the four Bangladeshi FM's (Fide Master) could manage IM norms from the tournament, which was organised by country's first GM Niaz Murshed in a bid to help the local chess players achieve their IM norms.
Saptarshi with 6.5 from eight outings needed half a point in the final game to secure his final GM norm and he did well to draw against his compatriot GM Dibyendu Barua to achieve the highest recognition in chess.
"A dream came true because each and every players has a dream of earning the GM title and I am very happy to earn the final GM norm today (Monday)," Saptarshi told Daily Star after the game.
The 28-year old player, who came to chess at the age of 7, achieved the IM title in 2004 and then he had to wait for four years to gain the first GM norm in 2008 and the next year he achieved the second GM norm.
Saptarshi is continuously inspired by his parents and his employer Indian Railway gives him a plenty of time whenever he takes part in tournaments either at home or abroad.
Saptarshi believes the tournament being arranged by the Six Seasons led by Niaz would help the local players a lot on way to achieving norms because the Bangladeshi players play fewer tournaments compared to the Indian players.
"We play at least 12 to 13 tournaments including four IM tournaments at home and it helps us a lot and Bangladesh players also should play more tournaments," said the champion adding that he had participated in five tournaments in Europe last year.
Uzbek GM Iuldachev Saidali became runner-up with 6.6 points while Dibyendu finished third through tie breaker as he along with Niaz earned 5.5 points each.
Indian Praveen Kumar with 4.5, his compatriot IM Sahaj Grover with 4 points, FM Kh. Aminul Islam with 3.5 points, FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman Emon with 3 points finished five, sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.
FM Minhazuddin Ahmed with three and FM Abu Sufian Shakil with 2.5 became ninth and 10th respectively.
In the last round games, Niaz drew with Saidali, Sahaj beat Praveen, Amin drew against Sagar, and Emon drew against Shakil.
