The winners and runners-up of the various categories along with officials.
MARGAO
The Mormugao Taluka Chess Association (MTCA) hosted the 4th edition of the late Venkatesh and Sumathi Shanbhag chess tournament recently.
The tournament organized by the Shanbhag Family Trust saw an impressive turnout of 156 players,at St Theresa School Mangor Hill.
Mandar Lad emerged victorious, showcasing exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, and was awarded the rolling trophy along with a prize money of Rs 6,000.
Mandar beat all his rivals from round one to round 9 to make it a clean sweep of 9 pts from 9 rounds to remain unbeaten throughout the tournament. In the crucial last 3 rounds, Colaco Reuben, Anish Naik and Parab Rishikesh to clinch the title. Parth Salvi beat Ekka Aniket to score 8 pts to finish runner-ups and Reuben Colaco beat Aryan Raikar to finish third with 7.5 pts.
A total of 68 trophies were awarded across various categories, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
The chief guest for the occasion was Sukant Shanbhag, who graced the event with his presence and shared words of encouragement and inspiration for the chess enthusiasts. The guest of honor included Deputy Sarpanch Vasant Naik and Sr. Journalist Bernad Velho of Vasco, who added prestige to the event with their esteemed presence .
Distinguished dignitaries on the dais included Kishor Bandekar, President of MTCA, Mukund Kambli, Pundalik Naik, Treasurer of MTCA, Tournament Director Prashant Raikar, Mukesh Adhia, Deepak Gawas, and other officials.
The official chess results webpage lists the top 20 players as follows:
Mandar Lad, Paarth Salvi, Colaco Reuben, Joshua Telles, Anish Naik, Chaitanya V Gaonkar, Ganpule Utkarsh, Ekka Aniket, Rishikesh Parab, Ayush Sanjeev Naik, Vasant Vishnu Naik, Datta Kambli, Hriday Morajkar, Adarsh Anand Patekar, Shaurya Prabhu Agrasani, Aryan Shamrao Raikar, Skyla Rodrigues, Shriya Patil, Vedant Angle, Vihaan Tari
Age Category: U-7 Boys: Prayank Gaonkar, Evan Telles, U-7 Girls: Drisha Ghonge, Aaradhya Dessai, U-9 Boys: Rishit Gawas, Shresth Ghonsekar, U-9 Girls: Tvisha Dessai, Muriel Fernandes, U-11 Boys: Sachit Pai, Aarush Salgaonkar, U-11 Girls: Tanisha Naik Dessai, Aarna Sawant, U-13 Boys: Avnish Borker, Varad Nagvekar, U-13 Girls: Riddhi Gaude, Maizah Sayyed U-15 Boys: Sahil Prasad Naik, Ruthvik Raikar U-15 Girls: Shree Ghonsekar, Mahdiya Sayyed. Best Veteran: Bhimappa Harijan, Best Women: Taniya Tari, Best Unrated: Ved Naik. MTCA Prizes: U-7 Boys: Rishab Gawas, Ansh Gawas, U-7 Girls: Aahana Singh, Ahi Fadte, U-9 Boys: Tanush Rane, Ravinsh Kamat U-9 Girls: Survi Keloskar, Shanvi Redkar, U-11 Boys: Erwin Albuquerque, Vipul Kadam, U-11 Girls: Lavanya Naik, Torres Dazzle, U-13 Boys: Chaitanya Patil, Paras Powar, U-13 Girls: Pavitra Lingsugur, Sanika Naik, U-15 Boys: Anarv Singh, Paul Debjyoti, U-15 Girls: Rachana Kewat, Shreya Gaunkar Dessai. Best St. Threses players: Anvi Parab, Yashashvi Kadam, Chandirka Raichurkar. Youngest Player: Deepansh Varak
