Team Herald
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PONDA: Anand Mind Masters emerged champions of the 5th Curti team chess championship after scoring a perfect 10 match points, winning all five of their encounters in the tournament organised by Ajinkya Chess Academy in association with the Ponda Taluka Chess Association at the Shree Krishna Temple Hall, Kelbai-Curti.
Led by captain Anand Kurtikar, the winning team comprised Nirbhay Gaude, Shubham Gaude and Shradha Gaude. Four Knight Warriors finished runners-up with seven match points and 13 game points, represented by captain Chetan Kurtikar, Tansh Gaude, Reyansh Kurtikar and Aarush Naik. Legendary Warriors claimed third place with seven match points and 12 game points, with Pratish Gaude as captain alongside Nishesh Gaude, Chinmay Gaude and Aryan Jojo.
Board prizes were won by Kaushal Naik (Board 1, The End Game Masters), Vrajesh Natekar (Board 2, Pivotal Pawns), Shubham Gaude (Board 3, Anand Mind Masters) and Aarush Naik (Board 4, Four Knight Warriors).
The championship featured 13 teams. Winners and board prize recipients were awarded medals and cash prizes, while the champions also received the Late Satyawati Anta Gaude Memorial Rolling Trophy, sponsored by Krishna Anta Gaude in memory of his mother.
Ponda Taluka Chess Association president Sagar Sakordekar was the chief guest, with Prashant Mainekar, president of Satarkar Mahasangh Goa and Lala Satarkar, president of Laxmi Narayan Sports and Cultural Club, among the dignitaries. Arbiter Sudhakar Patgar read out the tournament report and prize list, Anand Kurtikar compered the event, and Vrajesh Natekar proposed the vote of thanks.
