MARGAO
The third round of the 38th National Under-13 Chess Championship 2025 witnessed several thrilling encounters, with top-seeded players in both the Open and Girls' sections continuing their dominant runs at the tournament being held in Margao.
In the Open section, top seed Siddhanth Poonja (2215, Karnataka) remained unbeaten with a clinical win over Rishen Jilowa (1839, Rajasthan). He was joined by CM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma (2187, Madhya Pradesh) and CM Advik Amit Agrawal (2175, Maharashtra), both of whom secured comfortable victories on their respective boards.
Goa’s Joshua Mark Telles (1793) impressed with a hard-fought draw against higher-rated Ramanuj Mishra (2006, Uttar Pradesh), while fellow Goans Saras Summer Powar and Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai went down to stronger opponents.
In the Girls' section, WCM Aamuktha Guntaka (2102, Andhra Pradesh) outclassed Prisha Gholap (1730, Maharashtra) to continue her strong form. WCM Pratitee Bordoloi (2035, Karnataka) and Sravyasree Bheemarasetty (1978, Andhra Pradesh) also notched dominant wins on the top boards.
Among the local hopefuls, Diya Digamber Sawal, Serena Viegas, and Navya Narvekar were unable to overcome higher-rated opponents in this challenging round.
Earlier in the day, the championship was inaugurated by Ramakant Raikar, President of Daivadnya Samaj, Margao. The opening ceremony was attended by key officials and dignitaries, including Mahesh Candolkar, President, Goa Chess Association, Ashesh Keni, Tournament Director, Atul Verlekar, Vice President, Daivadnya Samaj, Margao, Jismon Mathew, Chief Arbiter, Damodar Zambulikar and Arvind Mhamal, Vice Presidents, Goa Chess Association and other officials.
