SRM-A and Jeppiar Univeristy Top The Regular Season
In Division 1, SRM-A and Jeppiaar University topped the regular season of 2025 India College Chess Championship (ICCL) Spring Season with scores of 6/7. The top six teams qualified for the Playoffs stage. SRM Institute of Science and Technology will face the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, in one semifinal, while Jeppiaar University will take on SRCC (Shri Ram College of Commerce) in the other.
Standings after Week 7 | Division 1
This report includes several critical moments and surprising tactical moves of key games before presenting the bracket of Divisions 1, 2, and 3.
Interesting Moments
I enjoyed the twists in the game between Abhinandan R and Sham R from round seven. White had a slightly better position, thanks to a more favorable pawn structure...
Black went wrong with an ill-timed pawn break, which resulted in the loss of a piece, as White capitalized on a pin along the d-file and a mating threat on h7.
After a few moves, White sacrificed an exchange and did not get any compensation in return. This time, Black made no errors in the conversion.
The next position is a textbook example of a successful attacking finish, with White's pieces coordinating perfectly to exploit the weaknesses and convert the advantage decisively.
Chess is a game in which the entire result can change in one move. The position looks very simple and equal, but Black faltered after 40.Qd3.
Can you figure out why the knight's retreat is a blunder?
Quarterfinals
One of the key games in the clash between SRCC and Jadavpur University was the encounter between Anirudh and Sanket. After a chaotic middlegame, the players reached a position where White had three pawns for a piece and was well-positioned to consolidate and outplay his opponent.
At a critical moment, Black was threatening to capture on d2, and 29.Nf1 would have given White a clear edge.
Instead, White went wrong with 29.Rd1?? and the game turned quickly in Black's favor.
In the next example, Black was successful in understanding the main problem in White's position.
White had a superb position but let it slip, giving Black a clear opportunity to take over. However, Black too missed the chance to win. Interestingly, even in this roller-coaster sequence, the theme of the pin played a decisive role.
Bracket After Quarterfinals | Division 1
In Division 1, SRM Institute of Science and Technology will face the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, in one semifinal, while Jeppiaar University will take on SRCC (Shri Ram College of Commerce) in the other.
In Division 2, DG Vaishnav College will play against Xavier’s Team A, while St. Joseph’s College of Engineering will face KMIT.
Bracket After Quarterfinals | Division 2
In Division 3, Knightmare 2.0 will face Amrita ICCC in the semifinal clash, while VIT Team B is set to take on Martial Knights B in the other semifinal.
The battle for the top prizes will continue, and we will bring you updates on the Semifinals and Finals soon. You can go to the event's page to follow all the games, results, playing schedule, and more.
The India College Chess Championship is the premier online chess competition for college students in India. It is a team event starting January, 2025, and featuring a $15,000 prize fund.
