Norms Earned, Rating Thresholds Reached, and Gotham Dominance Highlight July NYC Norms Invitational

Three players earned norms across the six sections of the July NYC Chess Norms Invitational, with many more reaching or approaching their ratings thresholds. Not every event produces any norms (although previous coverage can be found here and here), so this was a very successful event for the norm-seekers!

This was the largest invitational in NYC Chess Norms' history, with 55 unique players competing across six sections (five run concurrently). It was also our first six-day event, which is now a FIDE requirement for norm events.

IM Safal Bora (R) earned his final GM norm, and is closing in on the 2500 ratings threshold. (Photo courtesy Alex Ostrovskiy/NYC Chess Norms)

In the GM-A section, IM Safal Bora earned his third and final GM norm, and is now only about 12 FIDE points away from the 2500 rating minimum for the GM title.

FM Liam Putnam got his rating up to 2398 en route to his fifth IM norm. Don't worry, he already got his last couple of points to cross 2400! (Photo courtesy Alex Ostrovskiy/NYC Chess Norms)

In the GM-B group, FM Liam Putnam's 5/9 score was good for his fifth IM norm. He only needs three, but this strong performance and his subsequent showing in the Marshall Centennial were enough to get his FIDE rating over 2400 and qualify him for the IM title.

Why is he known as Eugene "Huge" Yoo? His first-round win was a good indication. (Photo courtesy Alex Ostrovskiy/NYC Chess Norms)

While the IM and GM (and WIM and WGM) titles require both ratings minimums and norms, the FM (and WFM, CM, and WCM) titles are determined purely by rating. For CM Eugene Yoo, who entered the IM-C section only a few points shy of the 2300 ratings threshold, his first-round upset over the second-highest rated player in his section set the tone.

Danila Poliannikov earned his final IM norm (Photo courtesy Alex Ostrovskiy/NYC Chess Norms)

Also in the IM-C section, FM Danila Poliannikov earned his third and final IM norm after winning on demand with the black pieces in the final round!

Last but not least, a rather famous streamer and educator had a dominant showing in the IM-D section. IM Levy Rozman is back from retirement and, in his second tournament, had an 8/9 showing and a 2581 performance rating!

With our 17th event in the books, the total number of norms earned through our tournaments is up to 44. Information about future events can be found on our website.