SANGUEM: Niraj Saripalli won the first All Goa Open Rapid Chess Tournament organised by Sanguem Taluka Chess Association, at Shrison Plaza hall, Sanguem, on Saturday.
Niraj secured eight out of nine points while Anirudh Parsekar stood second with 7.5 points followed by Gunjal Chopdekar also with 7.5 points.
Niraj Saripalli bagged a cash prize of Rs. 3000 plus trophy while the runner-up Anirudh Parsekar had to be content with cash prize of Rs. 2000 and a trophy.
A total of 170 contestants participated in the tournament.
The prizes were distributed to the winners at the hands of MP South Goa Narendra Sawaikar was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of President of All Goa Chess Association and Minister for Power Nilesh Cabral, Secretary Goa Chess Association Kishor Bandekar, Ex MLA Sanguem Subhash Phaldessai, Kalay Sarpanch Kishore Gauns Dessai and others.
The following were declared winners in the age wise categories: U-7 (Girls): Anvi Abhay Dessai, Silveira Lyia; (Boys) Mestak Shlok and Varad Raghuvir Dessai.
U-9 (Girls): Shree Ghonsekar and Asmita Avijit Ray; (Boys) Edrick Vaz and Ali Amanat
U-11 (Boys): Tejas R. Shet Verenkar and Vicente Fernandes; (Girls) Srilaxmi Kamat and Netra P. Sawaikar; U-13 (Boys): Jugan Sales Rodriguez and Siddhiraj Gaunekar; (Girls) Charuta J. Shetye and Sanviv Naik Gaonkar; U-15 (Boys): Purish Rajkaran Dessai and Dion Lourenco; (Girls) Trejal Sunil Lotlikar and Sainee N F Dessai.
Sanguem Taluka level winners (Boys): Deep Bhatikar, Sahil Marathe, Kunal Bandolkar, Pranav Dessai and Swayam Lead; (Girls) Diksha Bhatikar, Hrucha Sinai Kantak, Tanushka Shet Raikar and Muriel Shanessa Fernandes.
