India College Chess Championship Begins With Record Participation
The 2024 India College Chess Championship (ICCL) began on August 22, 2024, with record-breaking registrations of 245 teams featuring more than 1200 players. The SRM Institute of Science and Technology, led by GM Pranesh M, convincingly dominated the first two rounds in Division 1. St. Joseph's College of Engineering also had a great run as they defeated Netaji Subhas University of Technology and Shri Ram College of Commerce.
Standings after two rounds | Division 1
The India College Chess Championship is an event exclusively for college students in India. The event attracted the participation of 245 teams with more than 1200 players, including promising grandmasters like Pranesh M and Arjun Kalyan. The event's regular season runs from August 22 to October 3, while the Playoffs run from October 10 to October 24. 
Teams will compete in a seven-week round-robin of all-play-all matches. The top six teams will progress to the playoffs and compete for their share of the $15,000 prize fund.
As part of the promotion for the event, there was a contest that allowed the fans to guess the theme of the event.
Got it already? 😉 pic.twitter.com/HHvBfVJU2X
— Chess.com - India (@chesscom_in) July 23, 2024
Key Clashes And Moments
Considering the titles of the players playing for Chennai's SRM Institute of Science and Technology team, a clean sweep is within the range of the expected result, but they conceded one loss. Can you spot why Rc5 was a blunder?
In one of Pranesh's games, his opponent missed a nice way to win a piece. It goes on to show that even grandmasters can make mistakes.
The match between Shri Ram College of Commerce and St. Joseph's College of Engineering was evenly contested, with St. Joseph's edging them out by just one point. Here is a moment from one of the games that decided the result. White's king got caught in a mating net after an innocuous-looking move, and the game ended in a checkmate!
Cool Tactical Shots
If you are a fan of Puzzle Rush, you will enjoy solving the positions listed below. If you are not a fan, you'll become one now. Focus on Checks, Captures, Threats, and pawn breaks.
White to play and win ASAP
Black to play and win
Black to play and win
Black to play
White to play and win a piece
Surprise Opening
This particular game caught my attention as White obtained a great advantage by playing the Grob Opening against IM Ajay Karthikeyan. Rerouting the bishop to e2 would have given great chances. Take a look at how the game continued:
In Division 2, Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology and the A team of Birla Institute of Technology have secured match victories in both rounds.
Standings after two rounds | Division 2
In Division 3, BITS Goa Admirals, BITS Pilani B Team, and Chess Team A are leading with perfect scores.
Standings after two rounds | Division 3
The battle for the top prizes will continue, and we will bring you updates on the next set of rounds soon.
The India College Chess Championship is the premier online chess competition for college students in India. It is a team event starting August 22, 2024, and featuring a $15,000 prize fund.
Currently work as a community manager for Chess.com India.
I have a GM norm and an IM norm. Became a FIDE Trainer recently. Coached two Indian Teams for the Olympiad for PWD. Apart from playing and teaching chess, I dabble in writing and reading. Can speak in English, Kannada, Hindi, Tamil and Marathi. I recently wrote a short story titled 'Over a Cup of Chai' that's available on amazon. My last novel 'The Lively Library & An Unlikely Romance' is a story of a library where books come to life at night.
My username was Geborgenheit previously.
Geborgenheit is a german word which is hard to explain. It can only be experienced; It could also be inner peace of your soul. Google says 'security' but it is more than that!
I do stream sometimes!
