Team Herald
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PONDA: GVM’s Utkarsh Vidyamandir emerged champions of the 13th SRS Ponda Taluka School Chess Championship, securing 10 match points and 18.5 game points to top the table. The tournament was organised by the SRS Vedic Mathematics Academy, Mangeshi, in association with the 1981 SSC Batch of Wagle High School and the Ponda Taluka Chess Association (PTCA), and held at Wagle High School, Mangeshi.
A total of 23 schools participated in the championship, with each school represented by four players.
SS Samiti's Smt IVBD High School claimed second place with 8 match points and 13 game points, while Dr KB Hedgewar Vidyalay finished third with 7 match points and 13.5 game points.
VD & SV Wagle High School, GVM’s AJ De Almeida High School and SS Samiti's Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalay secured the 4th to 6th positions, respectively.
Trophies and certificates were presented by Sagar Sakordekar (founder, Vedic Mathematics Academy and PTCA president), Amogh Namshiker (arbiter and PTCA secretary), Anand Kurtikar (arbiter and PTCA executive member), Anish Naik (PTCA executive member), Naresh Gaunekar (PTCA executive member), Sangita Khaunte (senior teacher, Wagle High School), along with Sulekha Barve, Sanjay Nadkarni, Pratima Naik, and Shekhar Mardolkar of the 1981 SSC Batch of Wagle High School.
Radha Sakordekar compered the function and delivered the vote of thanks.
Assistant arbiters Milind Gaude and Prashant played an active role in conducting the tournament.