BHUBANESWAR 15-Jun-2014 7244
June 15Fide Master Rakesh Kumar Jena and Woman Fide Master Rutumbara Bidhar justified their top billings by winning the open and girls` titles respectively in the Odisha State Sub-junior (U-15) Chess Championship at Vibaha Mandap in Baripada today.
Jajpur boy Rakesh finished at the top of the table with 6.5 points out of a possible seven. He won his first six games comfortably but was held to a draw in the last round by Nilsu Pattnaik, who settled as runner-up with five points.
In the five-round girls` category, Rutumbara of Bhubaneswar emerged champion with 5.5 points despite drawing her sixth and last game against Ankita Sahoo. The title winners received Rs 1,5000 each as cash prizes. Altogether 40 boys and 11 girls participated in the three-day event.
All Odisha Chess Association secretary Vivek Kumar Tibarewal, chief arbiter Suresh Chandra Sahoo, host Mayurbhanj District Chess Association president Basant Kumar Sahoo and secretary Ananta Narayan Mishra handed over the trophies and cash prizes at the closing function.
Earlier in the day, Sudam Marandi, the new Sports Minister of the state, visited the tournament venue and encouraged the players. The top four finishers in each category qualified to represent the state in the Sub-junior National Championship to be held in Kerala from August 4 to 12.
FINAL STANDINGS:
Open category (Top 10): 1. Rakesh Kumar Jena (6.5), 2. Ansuman Samal (5.5), 3. Nilsu Pattnaik (5), 4. Ashirwad Swain (5), 5. Ankush Sahoo (5), 6. Rudra Narayan (5), 7. Diptanshu Ranjan Swain (5), 8. Subham Mallick (5), 9. Sourav Mohanty (4.5), 10. Abinash Mohanty (4.5).
Girls category (Top 5): 1. Rutumbara Bidhar (4.5), 2. Gitashree Biswal (3.5), 3. Ankita Sahoo (3.5), 4. P Sairupa (3), 5. Anisha Mishra (3).
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PHOTO: Prize winners at the State Sub-junior Chess Championship in Baripada on June 15, 2014.
