Brewington Hardaway Earns Final GM Norm in Barcelona, One Step Closer to Grandmaster Title

Young chess prodigy Brewington Hardaway has taken a giant leap towards becoming a grandmaster after earning his final norm in Barcelona last week. The 15-year-old now only needs to break the 2500 rating barrier to make history as the second African American with the highest title.

Hardaway showcased an outstanding performance at the Sants Open in Barcelona, winning five games and drawing five to finish with an undefeated 7.5/10 points. This achievement earned him his third and final GM norm, bringing him closer to the prestigious title.

Reflecting on his success, Hardaway expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I feel that I played some of the best chess I’ve ever played here.” He highlighted his victory against Lithuanian GM Paulius Pultinevicius as a confidence booster that propelled him through the final rounds of the tournament.

Despite fulfilling all norm requirements, Hardaway is still 10 points shy of the 2500 rating mark. However, with his recent progress and dedication to improving his game, breaking this barrier is seen as a mere formality for the talented teenager.

Hardaway’s journey towards the grandmaster title has been marked by hard work and determination. He has diligently worked on his calculations by reading books, solving puzzles, and studying difficult chess positions. His rapid rise in the chess world has positioned him as one of the top young talents in U.S. chess.

With his sights set on reaching higher rating milestones in the future, Hardaway remains focused on honing his skills and inspiring others to pursue their chess dreams. As he continues to make waves in the chess community, the young prodigy from New York is poised to leave a lasting impact on the game.