Thanneermalai Kannappan wins 48th Sitges Open B 2024, Vihaan Dawda second and Midilesh third

by Shahid Ahmed - 18/08/2024

Thanneermalai Kannappan (HKG) scored 8/9 to win 48th Sant Marti Vila de Sitges Open Group B (<1950) 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Vihaan Dawda and Midilesh Ms scored 7.5/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. Vihaan defeated the eventual champion, Thanneermalai in the final round to finish second. The total prize fund of the tournament was €7500. The top three prizes in Group B were €450 + trophy, €275 and €200 each. Aarush Dolas was the only other Indian to make a top ten finish in Group B. He scored 6.5/9 to finish sixth. Photo: Chess International Open 'Vila de Sitges'

Group A: Vivaan Vishal Shah and Rutuja Bakshi shine

11-year-old CM Vivaan Vishal Shah is the top Indian performer in Group A (≥1950). He scored 6/9 to finish 11th and gain 93.6 Elo rating points. WIM-elect WFM Rutuja Bakshi scored 5.5/9 to finish 15th overall and also win the Best Female first prize. She is the highest scorer among female players in Group A.

Champion in Group B - Thanneermalai Kannappan (HKG) 8/9 | Photo: Chess International Open 'Vila de Sitges'

Runner-up - Vihaan Dawda 7.5/9 | Photo: Chess International Open 'Vila de Sitges'

Second Runner-up - Midilesh Ms 7.5/9 | Photo: Chess International Open 'Vila de Sitges'

Group A 11th - 11-year-old CM Vivaan Vishal Shah scored 6/9 and gained 93.6 Elo rating points | Photo: Chess International Open 'Vila de Sitges'

WIM-elect WFM Rutuja Bakshi was the top female finisher 5.5/9 | Photo: Chess International Open 'Vila de Sitges'

The tournament hall at Casino Prado Theater, Sitges in Barcelona, Spain | Photo: Chess International Open 'Vila de Sitges'

A total of 140 players took part from 17 countries across the world in this nine-day nine-round Swiss League Rating Group B (<1950) tournament. It was organized by Antoni Ferret at Casino Prado Theater, Sitges in Barcelona, Spain from 22nd to 30th July 2024. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings in Group B

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	Gr	FED	RtgI	RtgN	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	22		Kannappan, Thanneermalai	U18	D	HKG	1833	0		8	2115	1804	2346
2	32		Dawda, Vihaan	U18	D	IND	1801	0		7,5	2073	1880	2320
3	31		Midilesh, Ms	U18	E	IND	1803	0		7,5	2052	1852	2338
4	11		Fernandez Rodriguez, Pablo		D	ESP	1887	0		7	2120	1806	2297
5	9		Tortajada Marti, Nil	U18	D	CAT	1900	2101	Cerap Riudoms	7	1978	1789	2138
6	19		Dolas, Aarush	U18	D	IND	1845	0		6,5	1927	1797	2149
7	41		Preuter, Carlos		E	NED	1764	0		6,5	1904	1821	2028
8	7		De Santiago Gordo, Abel		D	CAT	1901	2062	Gran Penya Vilanova C.E.	6,5	1896	1758	2025
9	20		Boquet Acero, Joan		D	CAT	1840	1983	Lira Vendrellenca	6	1943	1776	2047
10	1	MK	Codina Garcia, Jose		D	CAT	1924	2064	Lleida C.E.	6	1903	1794	2062