AYUSH Ramteke in Open group and Rashmika Maringanti in girls group annexed the Nagpur District Under-17 Open and Girls Chess Championship titles whereas Nihansh Khode in open group and Gargi Harkare in girls group emerged champions in Under-7 category. The tournament was organised by Chess Association Nagpur in association with GH Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation at Vivekanand Hall, Shraddha House, Kingsway, Near Kasturchand Park. The championship was conducted for selection of district chess players for participation in the Maharashtra State Under-17 and Under-7 Open and Girls Chess Championship 2024 to be held later this year. In the Under-17 open group, Ayush Ramteke scored 4.5 rounds out of five to clinch the top spot. Sharma Sai also scored 4.5 points. However, he was placed second based on the tie break score. Sahajveer Singh Maras, Avadhoot Deshmukh and Prerak Darvekar all scored four points and finished at third to fifth positions based on their tie break score.

 

In the girls Under-17 group, Rashmika Maringanti was way ahead of the rest by scoring five out of five points to take the top spot. Anvi Hirde and Aparnita Jagtap scored four points to tie for second spot but were placed second and third based on their tie break score. In the Under-7 open group, Nihansh Khode with 4.5 points out of five emerged a clear winner. Dev Gandhi with four points stood second. Dhawal Deshmukh scored 3.5 points took the third spot. In the girls Under -7 Group, there was a three-way tie for the first place between Gargi Harkare, Niharika Nilesh Rathi and Geet Gwalani. Based on the tie break score, Gargi was declared winner while Niharika and Geet finished second and third respectively in the merit list.

 

Ayush Ramteke and Sharma Sai in Open Under-17 open Group and Rashmika Maringanti and Anvi Hirde in Girls Under-17 Group will now represent Nagpur in the Maharashtra Under-17 Chess Championship. In the Under-7 category, Nihansh Khode and Dev Gandhi in open group and Gargi Harkare and Niharika Nilesh Rathi in girls group shall represent the city. Prizes were distributed at the hands of SS Soman, member, MCA Observer Committee. Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary of Chess Association Nagpur and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and Chief Arbiter FA Shiva Iyer were present on the dais. Shyam Agrawal conducted the programme and also announced the names of winners and proposed vote of thanks. Trophies and Medals were given to the top 10 winners in each group. In addition, the age group prizes were distributed to best Under-7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 age group performers. FA Shiva Iyer, Chief Arbiter successfully conducted the event who was assisted by SNA Prayas Ambade, SNA Shyam Agrawal and Prathamesh Machave.