Akash Iyer bags maiden GM norm

Akash and Nubairshah Shaikh of India, both scored nine- round GM norms. The former drew very quickly against Arkadij Naiditsch, while the latter beat P. Karthikeyan. Both the players made their maiden GM norm. 

Akash was not in the best of health when he faced top seed Arkadij Naiditsch in the ninth round. He needed a draw for his maiden GM norm and he did not press as he knew the 2700 player was too hot an opponent to tame. The top seed also did not press and after a few moves he offered the draw to the TN master. 

For Akash the Delhi International Open 2018 was an event that wasn’t on the schedule. He had scored his final IM norm at the London Chess Classic 2017 just a few days ago and completed his IM title. However, he decided to play this event as he was in good form.