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India's Woman Grandmaster Priyanka Nutakki has been expelled from the World Junior Chess Championship in Italy. Nutakki was reprimanded as there was a pair of earbuds in her jacket pocket, according to the world chess federation (FIDE).
The 20-year-old with an ELO rating of 2326 was found to have a pair of earbuds which is a banned item in chess tournaments, in her jacket during a routine check. FIDE released a statement addressing the issue, which talked about how despite seeing no signs of foul play, Priyanka Nutakki was penalised for carrying the earbuds which are considered a forbidden item.
"While there is no indication of foul play on her part, earbuds are strictly forbidden at the playing hall. Carrying these devices during a game is a violation of fair-play policies, and it is penalised with the loss of the game and expulsion from the tournament," FIDE said.
Nutakki scored a point in the sixth round but it was awarded to her rival - Govhar Beydullayeva. The tournament Appeals Committee reconfirmed their decision after an appeal filed by the Indian contingent. Indian team officials have not put forward a statement regarding expulsion. Before being penalised, Nutakki had scored four points in the first five rounds with three wins and two draws.
In other Indian chess news, teenager Donnarumma Gukesh created history to become the youngest player to defeat World Number one Magnus Carlsen at the Aimchess Rapid Online Tournament. Gukesh registered the victory with white pieces in the 9th round. This also was Carlsen’s second defeat in two days as he lost in the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour against 19-year-old Indian Arjun Erigaisi.
Gukesh was 16 years 4 months 20 days old when he defeated Carlsen and broke the record of Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa who took down the Norwegian in 39 moves at the Airthings Masters, in February 2022. He was 16 years 6 months and 10 days old at the time of his historic win. Carlsen, before this result, also suffered a shocking defeat against Arjun Erigais in round seven of the preliminaries of the Aimchess Rapid online chess tournament.
