RAS question
Aaryan Varshney earned his final Grandmaster norm at which chess tournament?
Correct answer: (B) 16th Andranik Margaryan Memorial, Armenia.
Aaryan Varshney earned his final Grandmaster norm at the 16th Andranik Margaryan Memorial in Armenia.
Explanation
Aaryan Varshney's final Grandmaster norm came at the 16th Andranik Margaryan Memorial Round Robin Tournament in Armenia. The Chess Federation of Armenia report says the event had IM and GM norms and was organised by the Chess Academy of Armenia. In the GM tournament results, IM Aaryan Varshney was placed first with 7 points; the next two finishers were on 5.5 and 5 points. He scored 7/9, remained unbeaten, won the tournament, and finished 1.5 points ahead of his nearest rival. Those details explain why this was not just a participation result: Varshney converted a norm event into a clear tournament win while completing his final GM norm.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Netherlands is not the event where Varshney fulfilled his final GM norm; that achievement came at the 16th Andranik Margaryan Memorial.
- (C) Abu Dhabi Chess Festival is not the tournament named for Varshney's final GM norm; the achievement is linked to the 16th Andranik Margaryan Memorial.
- (D) Chennai Open International does not match the event, because the achievement came at the 16th Andranik Margaryan Memorial Round Robin Tournament in Armenia.
Concept
This tests a current-affairs sports achievement, where RAS questions often ask candidates to connect a named Indian sportsperson with the exact event behind a recent milestone. The recurring exam skill is distinguishing the verified venue or tournament from other plausible chess events.