Chess player VS Rathanvel must seek Grandmaster title again after rating error
The Coimbatore player was previously reported as India's 99th Grandmaster after reaching the required rating in July.
Coimbatore chess player VS Rathanvel was unable to secure his Grandmaster (GM) title after his rating failed to increase following tournaments in Assam last July, according to a Times of India report.
Rathanvel, 25, had previously been reported as India's 99th Grandmaster after crossing the 2500 FIDE standard rating mark at the Guwahati Smart City International Open. However, the August rating list showed his rating had not improved, leaving him below the required threshold.
During the July events, which included the Ayodhana International and the Guwahati Smart City Open, Rathanvel won 11 games but took zero-point byes in several rounds. While he believed he had gained the eight points needed to reach 2500, his rating remained unchanged in the updated list.
Rathanvel told the Times of India that he has no idea why the rating did not update and said he was unable to get satisfactory responses. He noted that while his opponents' ratings were updated, the games played against him were not counted.
The player said the situation created significant pressure after media channels had already announced him as the 99th GM. He added that his mindset was difficult to manage due to the circumstances, though a mentor helped put him on the right track.
Rathanvel must now work to achieve the 2500 rating again to officially secure the title.