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Hikaru Nakamura earns final International Master Norm
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(February 25, 2001)
Thirteen year old Hikaru Nakamura has
earned his final International Master(IM) norm!
He is now an IM elect, and the title may be granted as early as the FIDE Presidential Commission meeting at the end of March in Cannes, France.
When it is, he will be the
youngest American International Master ever! The record is currently held by Vinay Bhat, who made IM in April, 2000 at the age of 15 years and 10 months.
Hikaru made it look easy, earning the title in a span of only two months, in three consecutive tournaments.
Here's how he did it.
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Norm #1.
Hikaru earned his first norm in the VIII "Anibal" Open tournament in Linares, Spain, January 8-18.
In Linares, Hikaru qualified by scoring 6.5-4.5, again against a Category 7 field (average FIDE rating 2419).
The players he faced in the 161-player open included two Grandmasters and
seven International Masters. The overall field included 37 GMs and 60 IMs.
Norm #2.
Competing in the VI Open Ciudad de Ubeda, Spain, January 21-30,
Hikaru scored 6-4 against a Category 7 field (average FIDE rating 2413).
The players he faced in the 129-player open included five Grandmasters and
three International Masters. The overall field included 32 GMs and 55 IMs.
Hikaru reached the +2 mark with this nice win
in the 7th round over the Latvian IM Viesturs Meijers (2483).
Final norm.
Hikaru earned his final norm in style, winning a Category IV ten-player round-robin tournament in
Eger, Hungary, February 16-24. Hikaru just sliced through the field, scoring 7.5 points out of 9
(six wins and three draws) against a field of adults with average FIDE ratings of 2341.
The field included four IMs, one WGM (Women's Grandmaster) and four FIDE masters.
He only needed 6 points out of 9 to earn his third and final norm.
Hikaru now becomes an IM-elect, as it appears that all requirements for the title have been fulfilled -
three norm performances in tournaments totaling 30 games, and a FIDE rating over 2400.
Though the official rating list may not be published until April, the title may be ratified as early
as the FIDE meeting in Cannes, France at the end of March.
Coming up Next.
Hikaru has been invited to play in the prestigious U.S. vs. China Summit Match,
scheduled to begin March 13 in Seattle, Washingon.
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About the IM Norm. To win the title of International Master, you must achieve results at officially
determined levels in FIDE-sanctioned tournaments.
FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs)
is the governing body of world chess,
and the sole recognized agent for the conferring of International chess titles.
In each FIDE tournament, scoring standards are set for IM (International Master) and
GM (Grandmaster) based on the tournament "Category",
which in turn is based on the average FIDE rating of the opponents faced.
A player who meets the standard is said to have earned a "norm" for that title.
The title is conferred upon obtaining two or more norms in tournaments totaling 24 games,
and reaching a certain ratings level (2400 for IM and 2500 for GM).
See a complete description of title regulations here.
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About Hikaru. Hikaru made National headlines in 1998 when he
became the youngest USCF National Master ever at the age of only 10 years and 79 days.
He made International headlines in February 1999 when he beat Grandmaster Alexander Stripunsky in
regulation time control, at the record age of 11 years and two months.
In October 2000, he tied for third in the under-14 section of the World Youth Championships,
and was awarded the FIDE Master title at the age of 12.
Now 13, Hikaru continues to improve rapidly and aspire to new heights.
Articles about Hikaru.
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