MARGAO: FM Ritviz Parab clinched the championship title at the All Goa Blitz Chess Championship 2023, held at the Government College of Commerce and Economics, Borda-Margao, recently. Ritviz’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament, staying unbeaten and securing 8.5 points, culminated in a win in the final round against Ekka Aniket.
FM Ritviz was awarded the coveted championship title, along with a cash prize of Rs 8,000 and a trophy. Lad Mandar Pradip secured the second position with 8 points, having outplayed Vivaan Ballikar in the ninth round. For his outstanding achievement, Mandar Pradip received a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a trophy.
CM Niraj Saripalli claimed the third spot, defeating Brendon Peroz in the final round, and was honoured with a cash prize of Rs 3,000 and a trophy.
The following players secured places from 4th to 20th: Vivaan Ballikar, Sairaj Vernekar, Shubh Borkar, Ekka Aniket, Aryan Raikar, Devesh Naik, Kavish Borkar, Mayuresh Desai, Alex Sequeira, Aayush Shirodkar, Datta Kambli, Srilaxmi Kamat, Arthav Shirodkar, Kanishk Sawant, Brendon Peroz, Yash Prabhu, and J A Simplicio Viegas.
In addition to the overall standings, the championship also recognised outstanding young talents and category champions:
U-15 boys: 1st place: Vaz Edrick; 2nd place: Ayush Sandeep Naik. Girls: 1st place: Gawas Sani; 2nd place: Alana Julieta Menezes. U-13 boys: 1st place: Kerkar Deepak Vibhav; 2nd place: Hriday Morajkar. Girls: 1st place: Sequeira Jennica; 2nd place: Riddhi Gaude. U-11 (boys): 1st place: Saras Powar; 2nd place: Arsekar Naksh. Girls: 1st place: Diya Sawal; 2nd place: Rochel Pereira. U-9 boys: 1st place: Aryan Naik; 2nd place: Shaurya Agrasani. Girls: 1st place: Muriel Fernandes; 2nd place: Diya Naik. U-7 boys: 1st place: Prayank Gaonkar; 2nd place: Narayan Alias Aarav Prabhu Dessai. Girls: 1st place: Vania Dukle.
The competition also celebrated experience and expertise, with awards for the best veteran player (above 50) presented to Sanjay Kavlekar, and the best women player (above 15) awarded to Dwinnie Fernandes.
The closing ceremony was graced by notable personalities in the chess community including Ashesh Keni, secretary of the Goa Chess Association and president of the Salcete Taluka Chess Association (STCA); Damodar Zambulikar, vice-president (STCA), Dilip Vernekar, treasurer (STCA) and Jostna Saripalli, deputy chief arbiter.
