PANAJI
The Checkmate Masters emerged champions of the inaugural A-R T C Trio Team Chess Championship 2026, organised by A-R Tuition Classes in collaboration with Samrat Club, Kapileshwari.
The champions, led by captain Jatin Subhash Gaude, along with Aarush Uttam Gaude and Vansh Pradip Gaude, finished with a perfect eight points from eight matches. Jatin and Aarush are students of A-R Tuition Classes studying at Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar School, while Vansh is an Ajinkya Chess Academy player from Wagle School.
The Triple Checkmate Squad secured second place with six match points and nine game points. The team comprised Purva Nilesh Gaude, Vidhi Kerkar and Gaurik Shirodkar.
Chess Akatsuki finished third with six match points and eight game points. Their team consisted of Devansh Cuttikar, Vedant Priolkar and Gaurav Temyekar.
A total of 10 teams participated in the championship. Jatin Gaude and Vidhi Kerkar won all their individual games, helping their respective teams finish in the top two positions.
The prize distribution ceremony was held at Shri Krishna Temple Hall in the presence of Ponda Taluka Chess Association president Sagar Sakordekar, assistant teacher at St Joseph Vaz High School, Sancoale, Amrita Vibhav Shet, association treasurer Sandesh Naik, A-R Tuition Classes representative and executive committee member of Ponda TCA Anand Kurtikar, and Ajinkya Chess Academy representative Manohar Gaude.
Anand Kurtikar served as chief arbiter and presented the arbiter's report, while Swayam Naik was the assistant arbiter.
In a separate tournament organised for beginners from A-R Tuition Classes and Ajinkya Chess Academy, 14 students participated.
Yukti Tulshidas Gaude emerged champion with a perfect score of four points from four games. Priyanshi D. Kerkar finished second, followed by Savi Juvekar in third place, while Scand Vibhav Shet secured fourth position.
