International Master (IM) Fahad Rahman and FIDE Master Manon Reja Neer stood first in their respective division in the Grandmaster Chess Tournament in Budapest, Hungary.
But the IM Fahad and FIDE master Neer who had the opportunity to achieve Grand Master (GM) norms, ended up drawing their final games.
Neer competed in the Six Days Budapest Grandmaster Tournament 'A' and drew with Hungarian FIDE Master Pastor Balazs, who has a rating of 2402. A victory would have secured Neer a GM norm. Meanwhile, Fahad participated in the Budapest GM Tournament 'C' and drew with Chinese FIDE Master Chen Yong, rated 2252. Despite being higher rated, Fahad couldn't secure the win needed for another GM norm.
Both players finished first in their respective tournaments with six and a half points out of nine rounds. To become a GM, a player needs a rating of 2500 and three GM norms. Fahad already has one norm and is striving for his second in Hungary. Neer, although missing out on his first GM norm, has met all the requirements to become an IM.
This year's Chess Olympiad in Budapest saw IM Fahad Rahman, FIDE Masters Tahsin Tazwar Zia and Manon Reja Neer, and female chess players Wadifa and Waliza competing in three tournaments to boost their ratings and norms. Wadifa has already increased her Women's IM norms and ratings, and Neer achieved his IM title in the second tournament. The third tournament remains crucial for Fahad, Tahsin, and Waliza to make significant progress.
