Ter-Sahakyan Samvel wins 2nd Goa International Open GM chess tournament

TALEIGAO: Armenian Grandmaster Ter-Sahakyan Samvel emerged champion of the Goa Chess Association’s 2nd Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament, following his impressive final round win over Grandmaster Jojua Davit at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao.

After a thrilling and nerve wrecking eight days event, which saw many unexpected results and upsets, finally gave Goa Chess Association a new  champion. Three GMs finished with eight points at the end of Round 10, but it was Armenian Ter-Sahakyan who finished with a better tie-break point which ultimately made him the champion. Armenian Petrosyan Manuel who led for the major part of the event had to settle for second spot as last year’s champion Idani Pouya came third.

Goa’s Anurag Mhamal was the sole Goan to finish in top 45 as the State’s 1st GM finished 35th with 6.5 points following his Round 10 win over Ritviz Parab, who finished his campaign with 5.5 points. Though having a slow start, upcoming star 13-year-old Leon Mendonca stunned GM Iniyan P and brilliantly held on to his game to earn a draw to end the tournament on a high. Leon finished at 42nd rank. Niraj Saripalli finished his campaign with 5.5 points while Nandhini Saripalli ended with 5 points. Fide Master Nitish Belurkar closed on 4.5 points.

Top seed Iturrizaga Eduardo finished 12th while India’s youngest GM Gukesh D finished on 10th position with 7.5 points. International Master Mohammad Shaikh finished ninth. 

Speaking during the prize distribution ceremony Tournament Director and AICF Treasurer Kishor Bandekar said, “I’m thankful to the Government of Goa as without their support this wouldn't have been possible for us. Our former CM Manohar Parrikar helped us in the first GM tournament and this year the government has given us great support too. Moreover, we have a dynamic leader GCA President Nilesh Cabral, who had solutions to most of our problems. Any event without the support of sponsor isn't possible and these sponsors have given us platform for us to prove and we did it.”

“I thank all the Grandmaster for coming from all over the world for making this event a memorable one and to make this one of the best event in the world. We could make this success only because of the 60 member team who toiled hard over past few months,” added Bandekar who is also the secretary of the Goa Chess Association.

Goa CM and Chief Guest Pramod Sawant in his speech said, “The participation of over 1300 players itself speaks about the success of this tournament. The Goa Chess Association has been working hard in the State as they have contributed immensely towards the development of sports. It is a proud moment for us that the association is already working towards development of chess in schools. Young children should take up chess as it helps in intellectual growth of the child.”

The CM also handed over a cheque of Rs 20 lakhs to GCA President Nilesh Cabral in support for the 2nd Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament.

Earlier, Sawant launched the e-certificates for the participants of the Category A, B and C of 2nd Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess tournament on the official website www.gmgoa.com and unveiled the Goa Chess Association souvenir  and also two books ‘Unleash the power within the girl child’ and ‘Environmental protection’ written by Beverly M Mendonca. Altogether 1314 participated in three different categories with 35 GMs and over 114 titled players in the eight days event.

Earlier, Sawant gave away the prizes to the winner and runners-up in the presence of Sports Minister Manohar Azgaonkar, Power Minister and GCA President Nilesh Cabral. Executive Director Dempo Industries Pallavi Dempo, Jt General Manager Airport Authority of India Gagan Mallik, FIDE and AICF Vice President DV Sundar, AICF Secretary Bharat Singh Chouhan, Chief Arbiter Gopa Kumar and Tournament Director Kishor Bandekar, who is also AICF Treasurer and GCA Secretary.