NEW DELHI: After a patient journey spanning over a decade, Shyam Nikhil, a chess player from Tamil Nadu, has finally achieved the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM), becoming India’s 85th grandmaster.
Nikhil, now 31 years old, earned his third norm during the Dubai Police Global Chess Challenge, marking a significant milestone in his career. Nikhil’s way to grandmaster status was described by determination and confidence.
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In spite of his first appearance guarantee as a teen wonder, he experienced various difficulties enroute. Nikhil turned into a Worldwide Expert (IM) at 18 years old in 2010 and quickly gathered two out of the three standards expected for the GM title soon.
By 2012, he had outperformed the 2500 rating focuses essential for the grandmaster title. In any case, destiny had different plans, and Nikhil confronted mishaps and close misses as he continued looking for the tricky third standard.
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Throughout his journey, Nikhil’s parents, K Ponnuswamy and P Santhi, provided unwavering support, guiding him through the ups and downs of competitive chess. Despite facing pressure and experiencing disappointments, Nikhil remained steadfast in his quest for the grandmaster title.
Nikhil stayed focused on his goals, balancing his aspirations with the demands of maintaining a competitive rating and securing his place in the Railways team. He aims to continue improving both his rating and the quality of his game. With a sense of satisfaction and determination, he looks forward to achieving more success on the chessboard.