PANJIM: Sairaj Vernekar and Alaya D’Cruz secured the top positions in their respective categories in the all-Goa under-9 State chess tournament, organized by Mormugao Taluka Chess Association in association with Goa Chess Association, at Janata Vachanalaya, recently.
In the last round, boys category, Sairaj Vernekar outsmarted Pratik Borkar to become the under-9 champion in boy’s category. He scored 4.5 points out of five rounds. Vernon Culaco finished second with 4.5 points.
There was tie between Sairaj and Vernon but Sairaj was placed first on bucholz tie-break. Reuben Colaco was placed third with four points.
Utkarsh Ganapule stood fourth, Kakodkar Joy fifth and Ruturaj Desai finished sixth.
In the girls category, Alaya drew with Sanvi Naik Gaonkar to clinch the title with 3.5 points from four rounds.
There was a tie between Alaya and Sanvi but on bucholz score, Alaya became champion and Sanvi was placed second with 3.5 points.
Sayuri Naik, who was scored three points was placed third while Calanta Gomes stood fourth, Adya Gaitonde fifth and Rodrigues Kienna sixth.
First two players were selected to represent Goa at the under-9 National chess championship to be held in Gujarat.
Chief guest councillor of Vasco and ex-chairperson of VPDA Daji Salkar gave away the prizes to the winners in the presence of guest of honour Nitin Chopdekar.
Secretary of Mormugao Taluka Chess Association Vasant Naik, Treasurer Adv Anita Thorat, Vice-President Pundalik Nayak, executive members Anil Patil, Ajay Thorat, Mukesh Adhiya and chief arbiter Swapnil Hoble were also present.
