Do you know that in order to become a Chess Grand Master, a chess player first needs to become an International Master?And do you also know that since 1961, Tamil Nadu has produced only 69 players with International Master title?

Post the 44th Chess Olympiad held in Tamil Nadu, there is a great spark among players in our State and rest of India to go big and achieve internationally.

Players with 3 International Master norms and 2400 points get the IM recognition. But the road become an International Master is not that easy. One needs to travel across the world to attend these IM tournaments, and exhibit his skills and keep winning to have that prestigious title. Besides skills and competence, this also requires lot of financial support for traveling, accomodation, etc. To take part in IM Norm Tournaments held in various parts of the world, talents from Tamil Nadu and India were spending approximately Rs. 5 lakhs. 

As there are chances for promising talents to pull back their pursuit of IM due to financial constraints and lack of sponsorships, TNSCA pitched the idea of organizing such IM Norm Tournaments in the State itself.

President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, M.Manickam proposed the idea of organizing 50 international norm closed circuit tournaments in various cities of Tamil Nadu to produce more players with International Masters title in the State.

This proposal became a reality and Tamil Nadu Government assured to render helping hand by providing financial assistance to conduct such tournaments. The aim behind organizing these tournaments is to produce 10 IMs a year.

As such world-class tournaments are being held in our State itself, talents who are qualified to compete in these tournaments will only need to spend Rs.10, 000 to meet their expenses.

The first of these 50 tournaments began in Chennai on October 16th followed by Pollachi, Madurai, Kodaikanal. High-ranking chess players from various countries and Tamil Nadu players with top ranks are competing in these tournaments.

Now, the 7th Tamil Nadu International Master Norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament, organized by Coimbatore District Chess Association under the aegis of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association (TNSCA) is underway in Coimbatore at Hotel Alankar Grande. It began on November 26th and will go on till December 1st.

The results of this 7th IM Norms tournament will be announced on 1st December, 2023. The remaining 43 tournaments will be held in various parts of Tamil Nadu in December and rest of 2023-24 period. 

President of TNSCS, M.Manikam shared that in the last 6 tournaments,  4 norms have been produced. (3 from TN, 1 Telangana). The aim is 10 IMs per year.