Team Herald
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PANJIM: Aryan Raikar emerged as the undisputed champion clinching the title with an impressive 8 points out of 9 rounds in the QTCA All Goa Open Blitz Chess Tournament 2024 organised by the Quepem Taluka Chess Association in association with the Government College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Quepem, recently.
The tournament brought together the finest chess talents from across Goa competing in nine intense rounds of blitz chess. Aryan’s remarkable performance included a decisive victory against the top seed Devesh Naik in the final round. Devesh and Sairaj Vernekar finished second and third respectively with 7.5 points showcasing commendable performances throughout the tournament.
The top 20 winners were: Aryan Raikar, Devesh Naik, Sairaj Vernekar, Atharv Katkar, Chaitanya Gaonkar, Anecx Kanjiravila B C, Datta Kambli, Anish Naik, Avnish Borkar, Satyam Phal, Rachel Pereira, Rhys Carvalho, Nivesh Naik, Vardhan Shetkar, Sani Gawas, Adarsh Patekar, Rajarajeshwari Deshmukh, Aarav Chopdekar, Sidh Rane and Aashman Desai.
In the category prizes, the best veteran (above 45) titles were awarded to Aravinda B R and Ashok Saxena, while Ayusha Prabhudessai was recognised as the best women player (above 18). The best age category players included Aarav Nagueshkar and Ansh Gawas (U-7 boys), Amaira Borkar and Shivanya Rao (U-7 girls), Siddhanth Naik and Rejmon Fernandes (U-9 boys), Shinel Rodrigues and Tvisha Dessai (U-9 girls), Atharva Borkar and Nathan Cardozo (U-11 boys), Skyla Rodrigues and Diya Naik (U-11 girls), Ritvik Sairaj N and Mayank Kurtikar (U-13 boys), Shrama Morudkar and Israa Rikarty (U-13 girls), Vansh Dessai and Sarthak Kavlekar (U-15 boys), and Aditi Kamat and Sanika Naik (U-15 girls).
The prize distribution ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including chief guest Pradeep Naik (former chairperson and councillor of Curchorem Cacora Municipal Council), guest of honour Amit Morudkar (engineer, Panjim Municipal Corporation), Sameer Naik (secretary, QTCA), IA Sanjay Kavlekar (tournament director), Amrut Naik (treasurer, QTCA), SNA Tanishq Kavlekar (chief arbiter), other arbiters and officials.