MARGAO: Unbeaten Mandar Lad Pradip emerged as the state champion in the Goa State Selection for National Senior (Open) Fide Rating Chess Championship 2024, organised by Goa Chess Association, at Govt College of Commerce & Economics, St Joaquim Road, Borda-Margao
Mandar (2245) of Bardez defeated Devesh Naik (1955) Ponda in the 8th round and Aayush Shirodkar (1818) of Salcete in the 9th round. He scored a total of 8.5 points and was awarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000 besides and trophy.
Emerging young star Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai (1577) of Canacona was placed 2nd by defeating Joshua Mark Telles (1668) of Salcete in the 8th round and Kanishk Sawant (1538) in the 9th round and finished with a score of 7.5 points. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs 7,000 and a trophy. He remained unbeaten in the tournament and gained 131 ELO points.
Devesh Naik got the better of Mayuresh Desai (1656) of Sattari in the final round to finish 3rd in the tournament by scoring 7 points. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a trophy. Shubh Vishnu Borkar (1676) of Salcete managed to outwit Rajveer Patil (1572) of Mormugoa in 9th round to finished 4th in the tournament by scoring 7 points. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs 3,500 and a trophy.
The 5th to 20th prizes were awarded to the following players: Rishikesh Parab, Gunjal Chopdekar, Aayush Shirodkar, Vibhav Kerkar, Erwin Albuquerque, Edrick Vaz (all with 6.5 points), Kanishk Sagar Sawant, Datta Kambli, Chaitanya V Gaonkar, Shriya Patil, Rajveer Patil, Sairaj Narvenkar, Mayuresh Laxlabh Desai, Rishit Gawas, Joshua Mark Telles and Anish Naik. The total prize money was Rs 50000 with trophies to all winners.
The category prizes were won by the following player:
U-15 boys: 1st place: Chaitanya Sushant Patil
5 points and 2nd place:
Shuban Chandrakant Malkar 5 points.
U-15 girls: 1st place: Sanika Shyamrao Naik 4.5 points and 2nd place: Avni Atul Kamat 4 points.
U-13 boys: 1st place: Satyam Phal 5.5 points and 2nd place: Avnish Borkar 5.0 points.
U-13 girls: 1st place: Lyia Marysil Silveira 5.5 points and 2nd place: Jennica Sequeira 5 points.
U-11 boys: 1st place: Saras Summer Powar 5.5 points and 2nd place: Shaurya N Prabhu Agrasani 5.5 points.
U-11 girls: 1st place: Skyla Rodrigues 5 points and
2nd place: Jensina Sequeira 5 points.
U-9 boys: 1st place: Vihaan Tari 5.5 points and 2nd place: Sarthak G Naik 5 points.
U-9 girls: 1st place: Shinel Rodrigues 5.5 points and 2nd place: Vania Vaibhav Dukle 3.5 points.
U-7 boys: 1st place: Prayank Gaonkar 5.5 points and 2nd place: Evan Antonio Telles 4.5 points.
U-7 girls: 1st place: Sidonia Dacunha 3.5 points and 2nd place: Aaradhya Dessai 3.0 points.
The best unrated player was Naksh Arsekar 5.5 points, the best veteran player was Pradip Kulkarni 4.5 points and the best women player was Sani Gawas 5.5 points.
The tournament saw a total of 111 participants, including 45 rated players, competing in a series of intense matches that showcased their strategic prowess and dedication to the game.
The closing ceremony was graced by Vishwas Pilankar, treasurer of the Goa Chess Association (GCA), who was the chief guest and gave away the prizes, in the presence of Ashesh Keni, secretary GCA, Arvind Mhamal, chief arbiter of the tournament, Aaron Peraira, College Director of Physical Education, Govt. College of Commerce & Economics, Damodar Zambulikar, vice-president (South) GCA, Satywan Harmalkar, vice-president (North) GCA, Amogh Namsekar, joint secretary GCA; Dilip Vernekar, treasurer Salcete Taluka Chess Association.
The top four players will represent Goa in the Senior National Chess Championship, scheduled in Haryana from August 17 to 27. IA Arvind Mhamal was the Chief Arbiter & IA Ashesh Keni was the Tournament director.