Karthikeyan Murali: Chess Prodigy

Karthikeyan Murali, whose amazing adventure in the world of chess began on January 5, 1999. Born in India, Karthikeyan ascended to the esteemed rank of Grandmaster, a title bestowed upon him by FIDE in 2015.

This talented young chess player has won the national championship two times, making him a two-time national champion.

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Journey of Karthikeyan Murali

• Karthikeyan comes from the lovely city of Thanjavur. His incredible chess journey began when he was just five years old, and his quick rise in the world of chess began to take shape in December 2011.

• He earned the esteemed title in the Under 12 category at the World Youth Chess Championships, which took place in the vibrant city of Caldas Novas, Brazil.
• It was a victorious moment that marked the beginning of his promising career.

• Karthikeyan’s journey to chess excellence kept getting better each year. Just two years after his impressive win in Brazil.
• He achieved great success by winning the world U16 championship title in the enchanting city of Al Ain.
• These early accomplishments showed how talented and dedicated he was to the game.

2014

• In 2014, Karthikeyan found himself in the international spotlight as he secured a remarkable third-place tie in the highly competitive Abu Dhabi Masters tournament.
• His performance was not only a testament to his skills but also a harbinger of greater achievements to come.

• In 2014, he played a key part in helping the Indian chess team win the Under 16 Chess Olympiad, which took place in the historic city of Gyor, Hungary.
• This triumph not only added a prestigious feather to his cap. But also marked a significant milestone in his journey toward the coveted title of Grandmaster.

2015

• In 2015, a significant moment occurred in Karthikeyan’s career when he won the 53rd National Premier Chess Championship of India, held in the lively city of Tiruvarur.
• In an exciting match, he outperformed the highly skilled Vidit Santosh Gujrathi in a head-to-head battle, securing a win with tiebreak rules after both players achieved an impressive 8½ points in 13 intense games.
• This win cemented Karthikeyan’s status as a strong presence in the world of chess.

2016

• Karthikeyan’s winning streak continued. Additionally, in 2016, he won another championship title by emerging victorious in the 54th edition of the National Premier Chess Championship held in the city of Lucknow.

• Despite a tough beginning and a loss to the eventual runner-up, Aravindh Chithambaram, Karthikeyan made an amazing comeback by winning an important match against the top – seeded player, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, all within a set time frame.
• Furthermore, a couple of players dropping out of the competition gave him a strong lead, which led to him ultimately winning the championship.

2019

• In 2019, Karthikeyan continued his journey for chess excellence. In January, he displayed a remarkable performance, securing the second-place position in the prestigious Gibraltar Masters open tournament.

• In June of 2019, he continued to make waves by securing the second position in the Asian championships.
• Remarkably, his success was boosted by an exciting win with the black pieces against the formidable Alireza Firouja.
• Furthermore, during that thrilling game, Karthikeyan made a daring queen sacrifice as early as move 9.

• This brave and clever move showed his strong dedication to becoming an excellent chess player and made him an important figure in the chess world.

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