PANJIM: Master Nitish Belurkar (Elo-2036), student of Sharda Mandir School, Mira Mar emerged champion in the State Senior Fide Rating Chess Championship 2015 organized by Bardez Taluka Chess Association in association with Saraswat Vidhyalaya’s, Sridora Caculo College, at Khorlim, Mapusa, on Sunday. 

The top seed Nitish remain undefeated till the end scoring eight points out of nine rounds. He won against Ayush Nagarsekar, Aniket Datta Prabhu, Madhavan G, Riddhi Zantye, Anant Prabhudesai, Audi Ameya, Cruz Wilson and drew with Prabhugaonkar Aditee and Mendonca Leon Luke. Nitish won the first prize of Rs 7,000 and late Harishchandra Candolkar rolling trophy.

The second place was bagged by Audi Ameya (Elo-1972), students of RMS College, Margao. He scored seven points and won a cash prize of Rs 6,000 and a trophy while Aditee Prabhugaonkar (Elo-1626), student of Mahila and Nutan English High School, Margao finished third. She scored seven points and won prize of Rs 5,000 and a trophy.

The fourth place won by Mendonca Leon Luke (Elo-1708), student of Sharda Mandir School, Mira Mar. He scored seven points and won prize of Rs 4,000.

In the 117 that had participated, 48 were FIDE rated players. The first four winners will represent Goa in the National Challenger Chess Championship to be held at Nagpur, Maharashtra in August.

Other winners: Riddhi Zantye, Nandhini Saripalli, Madkaikar Gaurav, Anant Prabhudesai, Cruz Wilson, Sunad Govekar, Barde Om, Audi Saiesh, Thorat Aishwarya, Madhavan G, Naik Atharv, Milind Gauns, Sachin Kakodkar,  Shirodkar Aayush, Naik Snehal. Dhuri Khushi.

Age category: U-7 boys -- Kakodkar Joy, girls -- Pusti Harshad Bhosle; U-9 boys -- Colaco Reuben, girls -- Sanvi Naik Gaonkar;

U-11 boys -- Devesh Anand Naik, girls -- Tejal Sunil Naik; U-13 boys -- Prabhu Yash, girls -- Naik Siddhi; U-15 boys

-- Siddesh Datta Pednekar, girls -- Naik Reema. Best unrated (Goa) -- Shweta Sumant Koyande. Best unrated (Bardez) Sankesh Kaisukar.

Chief guest Pradeep Joshi, vice president of Saraswat Education Society gave away the prizes to the winners in the presence of guest of honour Goa Chess Association Secretary Kishore Bandekar, Vice president Sagar Sakordekar and Treasurer Ramdas Sawant. 

Earlier, President of Bardez Taluka Chess Association Vishwas Pilankar welcomed while Secretary Suraj Naik gave a vote of thanks. 

Chief Arbiter Arvind Mhamal presented his report while Ajit Awate compered.

The tournament was held under under the aegis of Goa Chess Association and SAG and recognized by All India Chess Federation.