♟ TSMU Summer Chess Tournament: The Road to the Semifinals! ♟

The tension is rising, the clocks are ticking, and strategy is at its peak — welcome to the thrilling semifinals of the TSMU Summer Chess Tournament! With 22 brilliant minds clashing over the board, we’re now heading into the final stretch of an intense and exciting tournament.

🏆Top Performers Leading the Way

The current leader, Jebin, stands tall and undefeated with 5.0 points, confidently marching into the semifinals after a dominant showing in the early rounds.

Following closely are Stephen, Shiyam, and Hamzah, each with 4.0 points, showing consistent brilliance in their games.

Here’s a look at the Top 8 contenders making waves:

Position	Player	Points	Highlights
1	Jebin	5.0	Wins vs W4, B7
2	Stephen	4.0	Defeated B9, W13
3	Shiyam	4.0	Beat B14, W18
4	Hamzah	4.0	Recovered after loss to B1
5	Abdullah	3.0	Wins vs B6, W19
6	Vishnu	3.0	Came back strong vs B15
7	Tafheem	3.0	Beat B11
8	Ahnaf Anwar	3.0	Key win over W17

With only a few rounds left, every move is critical. A single blunder could cost a player the championship spot, while a brilliant tactic could catapult them into glory.

♜ Rising Stars and Comebacks

While the top of the leaderboard is fiercely contested, many other players have shown remarkable resilience:

• Balaji and Balesh have also managed to secure 3.0 points, staying within striking distance of the leaders.

• Yassir, Rohit, and Tawsif have shown strong potential with 2.0 points and may pull off upsets in upcoming games.

• Even players like Mahesh and Isuru, sitting at 1.0 points, are delivering spirited performances and learning with every match.

❌ Eliminations and Withdrawals

Some players, such as Solomin, Ameen, Udalagama, and Rachel, have unfortunately dropped out or haven’t been able to secure a win so far. Despite this, their participation has added color and competition to the tournament, reminding us that every player plays a vital role in the chess community.

🔮What’s Next?

As we approach the semifinals, expect fireworks on the board! The top 4 players will be paired for high-stakes battles that promise intensity, intellect, and inspiration. Can Jebin maintain his perfect record? Will Hamzah stage a comeback? Will underdogs like Abdullah or Vishnu upset the standings?

CAN JEBIN KEEP HIS PERFECT RECORD? WILL HAMZAH MAKE A COMEBACK?

Final update

Here’s the updated TSMU Summer Chess Tournament Finals Blog, highlighting the close competition:

♟ TSMU Summer Chess Tournament: A Nail-Biting Finale! ♟

The atmosphere was electric, the moves razor-sharp, and the stakes sky-high — the TSMU Summer Chess Tournament Finals delivered a showdown worthy of champions!

After weeks of intense rounds, the final four contenders — Jebin Paul Jistin Roosevelt, Stephen Johnson, Shiyam Kumar, and Hamzah — faced off in a battle of intellect, nerves, and sheer determination.

🔥A Clash of Titans:

The Finals Every game in the final round felt like a war of minds. The players were evenly matched, and the results came down to the finest of margins. Each finalist brought their A-game:

• Hamzah opened with bold aggression.

• Shiyam Kumar displayed positional mastery.

• Stephen Johnson kept things unpredictable with dynamic counterplay.

• And Jebin Paul Jistin Roosevelt? He stayed calm under pressure, delivering clutch moves when it mattered most.

  
  

  The games were so close that spectators were on the edge of their seats until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

🏆 Final Rankings:

🥇 1st Place Jebin Paul Jistin Roosevelt

🥈2nd Place Stephen Johnson

🥉 3rd Place Shiyam Kumar

Jebin clinched the title in a heart-pounding finish, maintaining a razor-thin lead after a tense decider against Stephen.

His consistency and endgame brilliance gave him the edge when it counted.

Stephen pushed the champion to the limit, and his sportsmanship and skill earned him huge respect from players and spectators alike.

Shiyam played a phenomenal tournament, rounding off the podium with resilient tactics and sharp instincts.

Saluting All the Finalists

Hamzah, though narrowly missing a podium finish, fought valiantly and earned admiration for his daring style and never-give-up attitude.

This year’s tournament proved that chess is not just a game of kings and pawns — it’s a game of heart, focus, and grit.

🎓 Until Next Time…

To all participants, organizers, and supporters — thank you for making this tournament unforgettable.

The pieces are back in the box, but the memories and rivalries forged on the board will live on.

Until the next checkmate… play on!