English Chess Forum

Shreyas Royal has started with 2/2 - winning against Postny and Fedorchuk.

https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1287443.aspx?art=1

Unfortunately, Shreyas lost in Round 3 to Hrvoje Stevic. He plays Zdenko Kozul today.

Shreyas beat Kozul. Kozul blundered in a level position but Shreyas found a neat win. This puts Shreyas level on 3/4 with Leon Livacic and they play tomorrow with Livacic having the White pieces.

Shreyas beats Livacic to go 4/5!

Shreyas beat Robert Zelcic to go to 5/6 and clear by one and a half points. So far he is gaining 22 Elo.

On course for a Super GM Norm

Black against Moroni next, maybe time for his first draw of the event

Nick Burrows wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 5:53 pm

On course for a Super GM Norm

Seriously, though. I hope it is not controversial to ask what is the point of that tournament? The only player who can get a GM norm is the IM. I am pleased that Shreyas is doing well!

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:05 pm

Nick Burrows wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 5:53 pm

On course for a Super GM Norm

Seriously, though. I hope it is not controversial to ask what is the point of that tournament? The only player who can get a GM norm is the IM. I am pleased that Shreyas is doing well!

I suspect it was to give the five Croatian GMs competitive games against decent strength opposition. Whatever the reasons it's proving very beneficial to Shreyas and should see him return over 2500.

LawrenceCooper wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:39 pm

I suspect it was to give the five Croatian GMs competitive games against decent strength opposition.

That was my first reaction, too. I get annoyed by suggestions that the only reason for holding an invitational event is to provide opportunites for players ( and arbiters ) to gain norms. I would like to think that 45 high quality games of chess are justification in themselves.

But then you look at the games and wonder whether Christopher may have a point. Try round six, tell me how many of the players were actually bothered.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/tournamen ... 1NK#boards

Christopher Kreuzer wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:05 pm

Nick Burrows wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 10, 2025 5:53 pm

On course for a Super GM Norm

Seriously, though. I hope it is not controversial to ask what is the point of that tournament? The only player who can get a GM norm is the IM. I am pleased that Shreyas is doing well!

It's the 11th edition, and we probably need a bit more peace than we did in previous years; Ivanchuk won last year when there were 10 GMs, half of which were Croatian

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 11, 2025 9:27 am

But then you look at the games and wonder whether Christopher may have a point. Try round six, tell me how many of the players were actually bothered.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/tournamen ... 1NK#boards

Maybe just taking a mid-tournament breather?

Shreyas has drawn his last two games against Moroni and Palac and is now on 6/8. This leaves him a point clear of Livaic and Moroni going into the last round where he faces Kaasen, the tail ender.

Shreyas beat Kaasen in the final round to finish on 7/9 and win the event by a point. His performance rating was 2730 and he gained 26.9 Elo overall.

Excellent result