In an exciting display of young talent, the Nagpur District Under-17 Open and Girls Chess Championships concluded on Sunday with Jay Sawalakhe and Vritika Game emerging as the new champions. The event, hosted at the Moot Court Hall within Riaan Tower of GH Raisoni College, witnessed intense battles across age groups.
Thrilling Finish in U-17 Open Section
The Open category saw a dramatic climax. Eighth seed Jay Sawalakhe secured the title, but not without a final-round scare. He was on course for an unbeaten victory until the seventh and decisive round, where third seed Yuval Mohurle, playing with white pieces, masterfully ended Jay's winning streak. This result created a four-way tie at the top, with Jay, Aaradhya Ubale, Yuval Mohurle, and Mohak Bhagchandani all finishing with 6 points each.
The champion was ultimately decided by the tie-break rule of a better progressive score. Jay's score of 30.5 proved sufficient to claim the gold medal. Aaradhya Ubale secured the silver, while Yuval Mohurle took home the bronze, completing the podium finish.
Dominant Victory in U-17 Girls Section
In the Girls' section, the top seed Vritika Game justified her favorite tag with a commanding performance. She maintained a perfect record throughout the tournament, completing an unbeaten run to accumulate a full 7 points and claim the championship crown without needing any tie-breakers.
Vidhi Mishrikotkar finished in second place, earning the silver medal. Swara Gandhi captured the third spot on the podium, securing the bronze medal in a strong field of competitors.
Young Talents Shine in U-7 Categories
The tournament also highlighted the future stars of the game in the Under-7 categories. Reyansh Chaudhari won the gold medal in the Open section. Kunj Dewangan claimed the silver, while Aadvik Sukhdeve finished with the bronze medal.
In the Under-7 Girls' group, Aahi Meshram annexed the title. Aditi Korde secured the second position, and Shireen Titarmare finished third to complete the medal winners.
The prize distribution ceremony was graced by Gayatri Siriah, Assistant Commissioner of Central GST. The event also saw the presence of notable figures from the chess community, including International Master Anup Deshmukh, Bhushan Shriwas, SS Soman, and chief arbiter Shiva Iyer.
