AICF Greets Chess Players

Saptarshi Roy of Kolkata won the Thakur International FIDE Rating Tournament at Mumbai on April 29 scoring 9/11. The 1986-born Saptarshi became richer by Rs.61,000 after scoring a final round victory at the Thakur College in Khandivli, Mumbai.

Complete results are awaited from Mumbai. The event which had a prize fund of over Rs.4 lakhs was organised by R.M.Dongre, Venus Chess Academy and recognised by the Bombay Chess Association and Maharashtra Chess Association. A total of 234 players took part. The upper half of the pairings were held in a large air conditioned hall.

Saptarshi Roy, The Surprise Winner

The 1986-born Saptarshi Roy (9/11) of Kolkata won the glittering Thakur Rolling Trophy by winning the Thakur International Rating Chess tournament that concluded at the Thakur College of Science and Commerce in Mumbai on April 30. The tournament was co-sponsored by MTNL and Eurokids.

Saptarshi, a former National U-18 Champion from Kolkata trounced the overnight leader Umakant Sharma (8.5) of Jharkhand in a thrilling encounter. Saptarshi became richer by Rs.61,000. He received the the trophy and prize in the hands of V.K.Singh and M.S.Rana in a well attended ceremony.

There was a big tie for the second to eighth prizes. International Master R.R.Laxman of Chennai proved to be the strongest after the tie breaker and was declared runner-up. Jharkhand duo of Neeraj Mishra and Umakant Sharma were placed third and fourth respectively.

Mumbai Policeman to Get International Rating: Though teenager Aditya Nargundkar (6.5) won the unrated section, Navin Nawar, a policeman from Mumbai surprised everybody by tying for the second place in the unrated section and thus qualifying for International rating. The father and son duo of Rajan and Rohan Rajadhyaksha also qualified for the ratings.

Sixty eight year old Zamir Ahmad Khan- a former National `A' player from UP won the best veteran prize while Woman International Master Bhagyashree Thipsay was the best among the participating women. P.Shyam Nikhil and B.Adhiban were the best Junior and sub junior players respectively.

Final Top Standings: 1 Saptarshi Roy (WB) 9/11, 2-8 R.R.Laxman (TN), N.K.Mishra (Jha), Umakant Sharma (Jha), N.Sudhakar Babu (TN), R.Balasubramaniam (TN), P.Konguvel (TN), Ramakrishna Kashelkar (Mah) 8.5 each, 9-10 Sriram Jha (Del), Varugeese Koshy (TN) 8 each...234 players.