Himal third in Mumbai chess

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 5

Local chess player Himal Gusain finished third in the IIFL Wealth Mumbai International open chess tournament in Mumbai today. Gusain scored 7 points from nine games. Around 105 players participated from all over India, and the field included 13 International Masters.

Gusain bagged a total prize of Rs 100,000 for his feat, which was made possible by victories in six of the nine games he played. He lost one game, to IM Swapnil Dhopade, and drew two games. This performancewas worth 32 rating points, pushing him over the 2400 ELO points mark. 

He is now a step away from becoming the first International Master from Chandigarh. Earlier, Gusain had achieved the feat with winning two International Master norms. 

He won the Chandigarh Chess Championship for a record six consecutive years. In 2010, he won the bronze medal in the 21st National (U-17) Chess Championship and in 2011 he represented India in the Asian Youth Chess Championship in the Philippines in the Under-18 category. In the same year, he represented India in the world (Under 18)Youth chess championship held at Brazil where he secured 16th position.  

Naveen Bansal, vice president of Chandigarh Chess Association and 

Dr. Vipnesh Bhardwaj, honorary secretary of Chandigarh chess association congratulated Himal on his achievement.