Arghyadip Das

12. Arghyadip Das: Seeded 5; Rating 2431; Performance of 2411 against opponents with an average rating of 2253. A loss of three rating points.

NOT in serious contention after scoring just five points from eight rounds. But this youngster from Kolkata raised his level dramatically by scoring 4.5 points from the last five rounds to make the grade. Victories in the last three rounds made Das realise his goal. Though extremely lucky to win against V. Saravanan in the final round, none could grudge his place among the qualifiers for the second time in three years.