Arun Prasad Wins Strongest Scottish Championship

By Arvind Aaron

Indian Grand Master S. Arun Prasad won the 116th Scottish Chess Championship that concluded at the Edinburg City Chambers on July 19. The grandmaster from Salem, defeated Madurai grandmaster Magesh Chandran in the final round to clinch the title with 7.5/9.

When the two Tamil speaking Arun Prasad and Magesh Chandran sat they knew that they have to win for the title. Magesh blundered a rook for minor piece in an opening trap and Arun Prasad won the battle in a dozen moves but converted the advantage on move 64.

Arun Prasad works for Bharat Petroleum at Chennai and works with many Indian players. He had a great run last year to become a Grand Master.

A total of 89 players from India, Slovakia, England, Germany, Iceland besides Scotland took park in this event that ran from July 11-19. Iain was the best Scot in the field scoring 6.5 points.

The idea to open up events like the Scottish Championship, Canadian Open etc to players from other nations offers colour to host sponsors and norm possibilities for home players. Some years back England closed the British Championship for outsiders after Indians not only took the title but also bulk of the top places.

Final placings: 1 S. Arun Prasad (Ind) 7.5/9; 2-3. Jan Markos (Slo), Mark Hebden (Eng) 7 each; 4-8. P. Magesh Chandran (Ind), Aaron Summerscale (Eng), Andrew Greet (Eng), K. Gudmundur (Ice), Gourlay Iain (Sco) 6.5 each...89 players.