MARGAO: In an electrifying display of chess prowess, Mandar Lad (2052) of Bardez taluka clinched the championship title, at the All-Goa Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2024, organised by Salcete Taluka Chess Association, held at the Sports Authority of Goa Badminton Hall, Margao. Mandar's amassed 8 points, culminating in a triumphant victory in the final round against Shubh Vishnu Borkar (1595).
Mandar was beaten by Atharv Katkar (1663) in the 7th round but Atharv lost to Shubh Vishnu Borkar in the 8th round. Ayush Shirodkar who finished with 8 points along with Mandar Lad had to contend with the second position as Mandar had a slightly better Bucholtz tie-break.
Mandar Lad was awarded the coveted championship title, along with a cash prize of Rs 3,500 and a trophy. Aayush Shirodkar (1757) of Salcete secured the second position with 8 points, having outplayed Saras Powar(1713) in the ninth round and received a cash prize of Rs 2,500 and a trophy. Joshua Mark Telles claimed the third spot, defeating Rachel Pereira in the final round, and was awarded with a cash prize of Rs 2,000 and a trophy.
The following players secured places from 4th to 15th: Mayuresh Laxlabh Desai, Atharv Katkar, Shubh Borkar, Shriya Patil, Anish Naik, Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai, Rachel Pereira, Saras Summer Powar, Tanvi Vasudev Hadkonkar, Sairaj Narvenkar, Jennica Sequeira, and Atharva Sawal.
In addition to the overall standings, the championship also recognized outstanding young talents and category champions:
Under U-15 (boys): 1st place: Chaitanya Sushant Patil, 2nd place: Borker Samarth
Under U-15 (girls): 1st place: Avni Atul Kamat, 2nd place: Vidhi Lolyekar
Under U-13 (boys): 1st place: Satyam Phal, 2nd place: Mayank Kurtikar
Under U-13 (girls): 1st place: Lyia Marysil Silveira, 2nd place: Saeeja Gunesh Dessai
Under U-11 (boys): 1st place: Atharva Atul Borkar, 2nd place: Atharv Ghatwal
Under U-11 (girls): 1st place: Diya Digamber Sawal, 2nd place: Skyla Rodrigues
Under U-9 (boys): 1st place: Sarthak G Naik, 2nd place: Vihaan Tari
Under U-9 (girls): 1st place: Krutika Aggarwal, 2nd place: Shinel Rodrigues
Under U-7 (boys): 1st place: Prayank Gaonkar, 2nd place: Evan Antonio Telles
Under U-7 (girls): 1st place: Shreesha Sushant Ghadi, 2nd place: Shaurvi Kankonkar.
Best Salcete taluka category prizes
Under U15 (boys): Prince Fernandes; Under U-15 (girls): Aditi Atul Kamat; Under U-13 (boys): Shuban Shamba Bandodkar; Under U-13 (girls): Israa Rikarty; Under U-11 (boys): Nathan Jess Cardozo; Under U-11 (girls): Asmi Amit Terse; Under U-9 (boys): Aryan Naik; Under U-9 (girls): Shreeya Bandodkar; Under U-7 (boys): Narayan Alias Aarav A Prabhu Dessai; Under U-7 (girls): Shivanya Rao.
Secretary of the Goa Chess Association (GCA) Ashesh Keni, GCA Vice-Presidents Damodar Zambulikar and Satyavan Harmalkar, Salcete Taluka Chess Association treasurer Dilip Vernekar, deputy chief arbiter Jostna Saripalli, Nilesh Shirodkar, arbiter Asha Shirodkar were present at the closing ceremony
The tournament had total participation of 165 players with 53 players rated players from all across Goa.