Kushagra Mohan becomes the latest International Master of India
17-year-old CM Kushagra Mohan became the latest International Master of India on 25th August 2022. The Telangana boy scored his final IM-norm at 28th Abu Dhabi Masters, about 50 days after he scored his second IM-norm at Serbia Masters 2022 in July. He also crossed 2400 at the same event in Novi Sad, Serbia. His live rating is now 2426. The teenager is three GM-norms and 74 Elo rating points away from becoming India's next GM. The boy's quest for Grandmaster title continues at Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Trophy GM Open which starts in 11 days. Check out his journey towards the IM title who has not had a coach for the last six years. Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
Working on his own since 2016
"I was expecting my norm. I was confident that I will be able to score a norm." - CM Kushagra Mohan on scoring his final IM-norm at 28th Abu Dhabi Masters 2022. The 17-year-old now aims to become a Grandmaster soon. As for studies, he might go for some degree but not for a job, his main profession will be chess according to him.
First IM-norm
Kushagra scored his first IM-norm at World Youth Under-16 Open in October 2019. He drew with IM Santiago Avila Pavas (COL), IM Stefan Pogosyan (RUS), and IM Rudik Makaryan (RUS). He earned the norm in nine rounds scoring 6.5/9.
Emirhan - Kushagra, World Youth 2019
36.f3 is a big mistake. Can you find out why?
Second IM-norm
Kushagra scored his second IM-norm and crossed 2400 at Serbia Masters 2022 in Novi Sad, Serbia. He scored 5.5/9. He defeated GM Arjun Kalyan and IM Alisher Suleymenov (KAZ), drew with GM Alexandr Predke, GM Vahap Sanal (TUR), IM P Shyam Nikhil, IM Koustav Chatterjee and IM Yair Parkhov (ISR).
Kushagra - Arjun Kalyan, Serbia Masters 2022
30...Nc6 is the correct way to save the minor pieces. 31.Nxe5 Bd7 32.Nxd7 Kxd7 33.Rh6 Rxh2 and Black is doing fine. 30...Kd7 allows White to gain two important pawns on the queenside 31.Rxa6 Rxf3 32.Bxb5+ Kd8 33.Ra8+ Nc8 34.Bxe8 and White is complete winning the endgame whether Black decides to take the bishop or not. Kushagra seized his opportunity and went on to win the game.
Third IM-norm
A month and a half later, Kushagra scored his final IM-norm at 28th Abu Dhabi Masters 2022 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He made a good start of scoring an unbeaten 2/3 including two draws against GM Abhijeet Gupta and GM Samvel Ter-Sahakyan (ARM). He also drew with GM Manuel Petrosyan (ARM) in the sixth round.
Kushagra - Abhijeet, 28th Abu Dhabi Masters
Kushagra got himself a promising position. He opted for the trade of the queens 32.Qc4 Qxc4 33.Nxc4. Black was relieved. Instead, 33.h4 was a viable option as Black has no real threats or target, White could have pushed a bit further.
Replay Kushagra's games
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@ 28/02/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |