Team Herald
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CALANGUTE: Amrut Naik of Curchorem claimed top honours at the inaugural all-Goa Chess Championship for the visually challenged 2025, held at the Calangute Association Club House.
Naik displayed remarkable skill and composure throughout the tournament, finishing unbeaten with 4.5 points from five rounds. A tense final-round draw against Sudhakar Jadhav proved decisive, allowing Naik to maintain a crucial half-point lead and secure the championship title.
Salman Patel and Shivam Sabir both finished with 4 points, but Patel edged ahead on tie-break to take the runner-up spot, with Sabir settling for third place.
The event featured 15 visually challenged participants from across Goa, celebrating sporting excellence, inclusivity, and resilience. The championship highlighted chess as an empowering platform for the visually impaired.
Top 7 final standings: 1. Amrut Naik; 2. Salman Patel; 3. Shivam Sabir; 4. Sudhakar Jadhav; 5. Saish Peryekar; 6. Mohammad Bombaykar and 7. Sejal Alve.
The prize distribution ceremony was presided over by Chetan Desai, former president of the Goa Cricket Association (GCA), with Ryan Menezes, secretary of the Calangute Association Club, commended for his support in hosting the event.
The tournament was officiated by IA Sanjay Kavlekar, assisted by Sharendra Naik, and was organised by the Goa Cricket Association for the blind under the leadership of President Vishwasrao Nagvekar.