AICF Chronicle Julio 2016 | Page 7

11th National ‘A’ Chess Championship for Visually Challenged 2016,Maharashtra Kishan Gangolli wins title by M.Manjunath IA, Chief Arbiter T he tournament was inaugurated by Kumari Greesham Rajeev Patil, Director Ameya Classic Club Virar, Maharashtra on 5th June 2016 at Yashwant Nagar Samajik Kala Krida Mandal. Tournament was conducted in Round Robin system consisting of 13 rounds. Fourteen players participated in this event (top fourteen players selected from National ‘B’ chess Championship for visually challenged which was held at Manipal, Karnataka. On 6th morning first round of the tournament started smoothly. Darpan Inani of GUJ was leading with 5 points up to 6 rounds. On 7th round Darpan lost to youngest player of this event Aryan B Joshi of MAH. Defending Champion Kishan Gangolli of KAR took half point lead by scoring 5.5/7rounds. At the end of 7th round Kishan Gangolli, Darpan Inani, National B Champion Soundarya Kumar Pradhan of ODI, and Yudhajeet De of WB were in joint lead with 6 points each. On 9th round Kishan Gangolli beat Darpan Inani, Soundarya Kumar defeated Samant Milind of MAH, Venkat Reddy of AP drew with Yudhajeet De. At the end of 9th round Kishan Gangolli was leading with 7 points thereafter Kishan went on maintaining the lead and clinched 11th National ‘A’ Chess Championship in style by scoring 10.5/13 rounds. Kishan won the National ‘A’ Championship 3 times at a row which happens to be a rare achievement. Kishan was followed by Darpan Inani 9.5/13, Yudhajeet De 9/13, Ashvin Makwana 9/10 securing 2nd, 3rd & 4th place respectively. Top four players will represent India in forth coming Asian Chess Championship. Total cash prize was Rs 75000 distributed in 14 players. Prizes distributed by Sri Ra jivji Patil Vasai Virar city corporation 1st Mayor, Mr Kedar Dhwale,Mr Mangesh Vaykul Chatrapathi Awardee, Ramesh Poshampellu Rtd,District Sports officer. Final ranking 1.Kishan Gangolli(KAR)10½; 2.Darpan Inani (GUJ) 9½; 3.Yudhajeet DE (WB) 9;4. Makwana Ashvin K(GUJ)9; 5.Soundarya Kumar Pradhan (ODI) 7½; 6.Krishna Udupa (KAR) 6½; 7.Venkat Reddy S(AP)6; 8.Aryan B Joshi(MAH) 6; 9.Swapanil Shah(MAH) 5½;10.Marimuthu K (T N)5; 11.Samant Milind(MAH)5; 12.Patil Shirish (MAH)4; 13.Waghmare Sachin Lahu(MAH)4; 14.Prachurya Kumar Pradhan(ODI)3½ AICF CHRONICLE JUly 2016 5