Karnataka dominates medals haul in national-level chess tourney

While Karnataka’s Chaithanyashyam, Reesha Shenoy and Anishcharith Bhandary won titles in Under-10 Boys, Under-14 girls and Under-14 Boys category respectively, Uttar Pradesh’s Ruksar Bhano won the title in Under-10 Girls.

List of medal winners:

Under-10 Boys: Chaithanyashyam (Karnataka) (gold), 6.5 in 8 rounds; Aryensh Chaturvedi (Uttar Pradesh) (silver), 6.5; A Anutthama (Karnataka) (bronze), 6 points.
Under 10 Girls: Ruksar Bano (Uttar Pradesh) (gold), 6 points in 7 rounds; Priya Nishad (Uttar Pradesh) (silver), 5.5 points; and Mafruza Farooqui (Uttra Pradesh) (bronze), 5.5 points.

Under 14 Boys: Anishcharith Bhandary (Karnataka) (gold), 6.5 points in 8 rounds; Akash Gandhi (Maharashtra) (silver), 6.5 points; and Naman Shetty (Karnataka) (bronze), 6.5 points.

Under 14 Girls: Reesha Shenoy (Karnataka) (gold), 6 in 7 rounds; Prerna Rai (Karnataka) (silver) 5.5 points; and Sakshi Dinesh (Maharashtra) (bronze), 5 points.

Speaking on the occasion, Chess Association of India (CAI) Vice President Mahesh Ved appreciated the efforts of Derik’s Chess School in Mangalore for organising the national tourney. “Compared to the first edition of championship which was held in Pune in 2010, the number of participants have doubled this year,” he said added that next year too, Mangalore may get a chance to host the event.

He also stressed the need to give importance to chess as the prize amount for chess was meagre when compared with cricket. Mandovi Motors Proprietor Sanjay Rao, D K Youth Congress President Mithun Rai distributed the prizes to the winners while Karnataka State Chess Asssociation President Deric Pinto presided over the function and Chess Association of India Joint Secretary and Chief Arbiter Prasanna presented directors report.