BHUBANESWAR 30-Dec-2012 308
ST Saikrishna of Tamil Nadu claimed the title in the KIIT Cup National B Chess Championship for the Blind, which concluded at KIIT International School here today. There was a two-way tie for the top spot with seventh seed Saikrishna and top seed Kishan Gangoli of Karnataka scoring 7.5 points each from nine rounds.
But on the basis of Buchholtz tie-break system, Saikrishna emerged champion, while Gangoli settled as runner-up. But the duo shared the top prize of Rs 11,000. The top 14 finishers, including Odisha’s Pradhan siblings, qualified for the AICFB National A Chess Championship for the Blind, which would be held at KIIT University campus here from January 25 to Feb 2.
Among eight Odisha players in the fray, Soundarya Kumar Pradhan occupied the eighth position, while his elder brother Prachurya stood 10th with six points each. Soundarya won five games, drew two and lost two, while Prachurya won six and lost the remaining four. Vaishali Narendra Salavkar of Maharashtra was adjudged the best woman player with 5.5 points in her kitty.
KIIT founder Dr Achyuta Samant and former Police DG Sarat Chandra Mishra handed over the trophies in the closing function. All India Chess Federation for the Blind secretary Madan Bagyatkar and All Odisha Chess Association secretary Vivek Tibarewal were present on the occasion. Altogether 80 players, including six women, participated in the five-day championship.
Final standings (Top 14): 1-2. ST Saikrishna, Kishan Gangoli (7.5 each); 3-4. KM Shashidhar, Ashvin K Makwana (7 each); 5-6. Swapnil Shah, Krishna Udupa (6.5 each); 7-14. Madan Bagyatkar, Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, Sachin Lahu Waghmare, Prachurya Kumar Pradhan, Gaurav Gagodia, Yudhajeet De, Sankar Chakraborty, Sanjay Karandikar.
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PHOTO: Top three finishers (L to R) ST Saikrishna, Kishan Gangoli and KM Shashidhar with guests in Bhubaneswar on Dec 30, 2012.
