Abhijeet Gupta becomes India's youngest IM

New Delhi:

Abhijeet Gupta became the country's youngest International Master after FIDE, the World Chess Federation, officially awarded him the title at its executive board meeting at Dresden in Germany. The 15-year-old made his fourth IM norm at Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival that concluded yesterday, but Abhijeet did not need it when FIDE confirmed his title on same evening. Abhijeet becomes the first IM from Rajasthan joining the growing list of Indian International Masters since Manuel Aaron, who became the first IM of the country almost three decades back. For the record, Abhijeet became the 44th IM from India. Tania Sachdev also got the confirmation of her Woman Grandmaster title. She became the ninth Woman Grandmaster of the country and the only one from the northern India after S Vijayalakshi, Koneru Humpy, Swati Ghate, S Meenakshi, R Aarthie, Nisha Mohota and D Harika. Mary Ann Gomes, who represents West Bengal, got her Women International Master title while Kruttika Nadig of Karnataka was also awarded the same title, subject to rating approval as the Pardubice Open that she played at Czech Republic last month will be accounted for the next rating list to be released in October. (PTI)