The tournament, offering a prize purse of Rs. 15,000, featured competitions in the U-15 and Above-15 categories and was conducted under the Swiss League format.
Ratnakar Raikar formally inaugurated the event by making the ceremonial opening move against top seed Shourya Narendra Prabhu Agrasani.
The tournament attracted 94 participants in the U-15 category and 48 in the Above-15 section, reflecting the growing popularity of chess in Canacona Taluka.
Among those present at the inauguration were Chief Arbiter Sanjay Kavlekar, Deputy Arbiter Tanishqe Kavlekar, Sharendra Naik, Canacona Sports Academy secretary Saurabh Kamat, vice-president Venkatry Naik, former member Nilesh Prabhu Desai and several physical education teachers.
After the completion of three rounds, the race for top honours remained closely contested.
In the U-15 category, Shenavi Kavish, Gaonkar Mayank, Gaonkar Jaideep, Kankonkar Shaurvi and Komparpant Yashraj shared the lead with three points each.
In the Above-15 category, top seed Shourya Prabhu Agrasani, Desai Vansh, Kamat Advait, Satyam Kotharkar and Shantanu Naik Gaonkar also topped the standings with three points apiece after three rounds.
The organisers expressed satisfaction over the impressive turnout and the high standard of competition, describing the event as another encouraging step in promoting chess among players across the taluka.
