Staff Reporter

Panaji

Mandar Pradip Lad of Bardez Taluka emerged as the unbeaten champion, securing the first place after six rounds of intense competition of the Centenary Chess Club, in Baina, recently.

Asmita Ray of Mormugao secured the second place, while Anish Naik from Ponda secured the third place. Dmitry Bezstrakhov, Sudhakar Patgar, Rohit Gawas, Rishikesh Parab, Aniket Ekka, Dr. Brendan Peroz, and Rachel Pereira secured the fourth to tenth spots respectively.

The tournament also recognized young talent from Goa, with age prizes for boys and girls. The tournament awarded Ayush Naik and Sahil Naik in the U-15 Boys category, while Atharv Sawal and Chaitanya Patil won the U-13 Boys category. Shubh Borkar and Rajveer Patil secured the U-11 boys category, while Vihaan Tari and Rishit Gawas secured the U-9 boys category.

Prayank Gaonkar and Prabhudessai Aarav secured the U-7 boys category. Valanka Fernandes and Alysa Coutinho secured the U-15 girls category, while Aarvi Naik and Israa Rikarty secured the U-13 girls category.

Tanisha Uday Naik and Lyia Marysil Silveira secured the U-11 girls category, while Skyla Rodrigues and Samriti Malkar secured the U-9 girls category.

Shanaya Dessai and Da Cunha Sidonia secured the U-7 girls category. Ansh Gawas was recognized as the youngest participant.

The tournament witnessed a turnout of 100 participants from across Goa. The event was inaugurated by the president of MTCA, Kishor Bandekar, secretary of MTCA, Mukund Kambli, president of Centenary Chess Club, Raju Arondekar, president of Unity Chess Club Margao, Pradip Gaonkar and V. Balakrishna of Tiswadi.

The prize distribution ceremony was held at the hands of Sanjay Kavlekar, SAG coach, and Amrut Naik of QTCA.