PANAJI
Top seed Nitish Belurkar emerged as the sole leader in the open category on the second day of All Goa U-17 open and Girls State Championship cum selections organised by Salcete Taluka Chess Association and Village Panchayat of Loutolim under the auspices of Goa Chess Association.
Nitish jumped to sole lead after he defeated Anant Prabhudesai to remain unbeaten with five points from five rounds. On the second board, Devesh Anand Naik settled for a draw against Ayush Shirodkar, both having four points each. Pratik Naik beat Parth Salvi on the third board and has a tally of 4.5 from five rounds. G Madhavan, Porob Vraj, Sairaj Vernekar, Pednekar Ayush, Ganpule Utkarsh, Colaco Vernon are also in the race with four points each.
Meanwhile in the Girls category after 4 rounds, top seed WCM Swera Ana Braganca was held by third seed WCM Gunjal Chopdekar as both remained on 3.5 each from four rounds. On the 2nd board, second seed Tanvi Hadkonkar beat Andrade Alana to remain on three points from four rounds.
Earlier third seed Gunjal Chopdekar upset Tanvi Hadkonkar in the third round. Netra Sawaikar, Sarah Gayle Fernandes, Sanvi Naik Gaonkar and Sainee N F Dessai are also on three points each from four rounds.
The tournament, which started on September 1, will conclude on September 3.
