GM K.Sasikiran

K.Sasikiran, GM Rating : 2692 He has now broken the 2700 level of elete chessmasters in Sophia.

Sasikiran leads M-tel after Round 8

Born on 7 January 1981. Im at 17 GM at 19 Prolific winner of International Opens. India's second super GM after V.Anand Man of few words but great deeds over the chess board.

Tamil Nadu Chess Association

(photos of Indian chessmasters)

Photo by H. Satish

Tamil Nadu, "Land of the Tamils" is a state at the southern tip of India. The bordering states/territories are Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The island nation of Sri Lanka, which has a significant Tamil minority, lies off the southeast coast.Tamil Nadu was called Madras Presidency in British India, which also included parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. Upon India's independence, Madras Presidency became Madras state; in 1953, the Telugu-speaking northeastern part of the state became the new state of Andhra Pradesh, and Bellary district became part of Mysore state. In 1956, the state acquired its present borders when the western portion of Madras state, on the Arabian Sea, was divided between Mysore state (later Karnataka) and the new state of Kerala. In July 1967 Madras state was re-named as Tamil Nadu by Madras State assembly and approved by Indian Parliment in August 1968. State politics continue to have a focus on protecting and celebrating the Tamil (and Dravidian) language and culture.

The temples in Tamil Nadu (some dating to more than 1,700 years old) display intricate carving and sculptures, which bear testimony to the craftsmanship and creativity of the sculptors and artists of ancient India.