Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Clinches Malaysian Title

Indian Grandmaster Iniyan Panneerselvam delivered an outstanding performance to claim victory at the 9th Johor International Open Chess Tournament in Malaysia. The 22-year-old from Erode, Tamil Nadu, dominated the event, finishing 1.5 points ahead of his closest rival. His win follows his triumph at the Chennai Open earlier in January, further establishing his rising stature in the chess world.

Key Highlights

Iniyan’s Performance

• Tournament: 9th Johor International Open Chess Tournament
• Location: Malaysia
• Date: Concluded Thursday, January 25, 2025

Iniyan’s Achievements

• Scored an impressive 8.5 points from nine rounds, maintaining a commanding lead.
• Finished 1.5 points ahead of the second-place competitor, securing the title before the final round.
• Defeated notable players, including:
  • Four International Masters (IMs)
  • One Grandmaster (GM), showcasing his ability to overcome top-rated opponents.
• Concluded the tournament with a victory over Vietnamese GM Nguyen Van Huy, solidifying his first-place finish.

Tournament Stats

• Total Participants: 84 players
• Countries Represented: Eight
• Titled Players: 24, including Grandmasters, International Masters, and FIDE Masters

Standout Matches

• Secured the title after the second-to-last round by defeating Indonesian IM Nayaka Bodhidharma, ensuring an uncatchable lead.
• His final-round win against Nguyen Van Huy capped off a dominant tournament performance.

Other Top Finishers

• Second Place: Indian IM VS Raahul
• Third Place: Chinese IM Li Bo

Additional Achievements

• Rating Points Gained: Iniyan gained 15 rating points in this tournament.
• Previous Victory: Iniyan won the Chennai Open earlier in January 2025, further affirming his strong form.

In Conclusion

An important turning point in Iniyan Panneerselvam's developing chess career was reached with his victory at the 9th Johor International Open Chess Tournament. Iniyan proved his mettle against top opponents by scoring 8.5 points and surpassing his closest opponent by a significant 1.5 points. Following his triumph at the Chennai Open, this most recent accomplishment highlights his