Brewington Hardaway Earns Last IM Norm, 10 Points Away From Title

Fourteen-year-old FM Brewington Hardaway earned his third and last norm required for the international master title on Tuesday after finishing with 6/9 points at the World Open 2023. His approximately 2472.7 rating performance left him at a 2390.4 FIDE rating and he needs 10 more rating points to attain the IM title.

I just got my last IM Norm at the 2023 World Open with 6/9. I also gained around 30 FIDE points and in the process I got to play 3 GMs rated over 2600, one of which I managed to win against! I just need 10 more rating points to become an IM elect. https://t.co/MGLEWDn8eQ

— Brewington Hardaway (@BrewChess) July 5, 2023

Hardaway scored four wins, two draws, and two losses in the event overall. He played four grandmasters and two international masters.

His most significant victory in the tournament was against 2642-rated GM Illya Nyzhnyk, where he gained a large advantage out of the Sicilian Kan opening. Although his opponent started to fight with his back against the wall, one misstep by his opponent was all the young master needed to put the game away in the end.

Despite losing two games of the last four rounds, against GMs Victor Mikhalevski and Lazaro Bruzon Batista, he beat IM Timothy Taylor on the United States' birthday (July 4th) to complete his IM-norm performance.

At this time last year, Hardaway's rating was under 2200. But the climb that started in October continues to increase. He earned his FM title and all three norms this year in rapid succession.

Hardaway's next event will be the Charlotte Norm Super Swiss, which will begin this Sunday, July 9. If all goes well for him, he might become the next American IM-elect on July 13, when the event concludes.

Previous coverage:

• Brewington Hardaway Earns 2nd International Master Norm