PANJIM: Joshua Mark Telles and Skyla Fernandes of Salcete taluka emerged champions of All Goa U-9 Open and Girls Chess Championship and Selection organised by Centenary Chess Club, Patrong-Baina, in association with the Mormugao Taluka Chess Association (MTCA), recently.
Joshua and Vihaan Tari of Tiswadi were the winner and runner-up, respectively, in the Open category, while Skyla Rodriguese of Salcete won the girls category, while Twisha Dessai of Canacona was the runner-up.
The following players finished in the 3rd to 10th place in the Open category:
Aaryavrat Desai, Rishit Gawas, Aarav Prabhu Gaonkar, Prayank Gaonkar, Shresth Ghonsekar, Shaurya Agrasani, Sarthak Naik and Ekang Malvankar.
In the Girls category: Avani Sawaikar, Samrithi Malkar, Shinel Rodrigues, Muriel Fernandes, Aqsa Nadaf, Drisha Ghonge, Diya Naik, and Krutika Aggarwal.
A total of 86 players participated in the Open category, while 37 participated in the girls category.
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Kavyashree Mallanna, a former Karnataka State champion, who is currently settled in Boston, USA. IM Bhakti Kulkarni was a guest of honour.
The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Girish Borkar, chairperson of Mormugao Municipal Council; Ashesh Keni, secretary of the Goa Chess Association; Kishor Bandekar, president of the Mormugao Taluka Chess Association; Rajiv Arondekar, president of Centenary Chess Club and Tanisq Kavlekar, the chief arbiter.
The top two winners of the Open and Girls categories will represent Goa in the national tournament to be held in November at Tatanagar, Jharkhand.