Team Orisports 12-Apr-2015 47
Fourth seed Rakesh Kumar Nayak piped three others in Buchholz tie-break method to win the title in the 56th Senior State Chess Championship that concluded at Gopabandhu Ayurved Mahavidyalaya here today.
Nayak, a student of Bhubaneswar-based Jayadev College (Naharkanta), held Fide Master and Soumya Ranjan Mishra of Postal Department to a draw in the ninth and final to finish with 7.5 points. Second seed Soumya Mishra, top seed FM Rakesh Kumar Jena and eighth seed Baivab Mishra also ended with 7.5 points each to tie for the top spot.
Nayak eventually emerged champion with Buccholz tie-break score of 50.5. He received the Laxmipriya Mohapatra Memorial Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 10,000. Jena settled as runner-up with tie-break score of 49.5. Baivab Mishra and Soumya Mishra occupied the third and fourth positions respectively in the final standings.
A total of 142 players are vying for the title in the nine-round championship, which is being organised by District Chess Association of Puri, under the aegis of All Odisha Chess Association. AOCA secretary Vivek Kumar Tibarewal handed over the prizes at the closing ceremony.
Top four finishers qualified to represent Odisha in the National Challenger Championship to be held in Uttar Pradesh from August 2 to 12, while the top two became eligible to represent the state in the National Rapid & Blitz Championship to be held at Rourkela from April 25 to 29.
FINAL STANDINGS (Top 10): 1. Rakesh Kumar Nayak (Khor, 7.5), 2. Rakesh Kumar Jena (Jajp, 7.5), 3. Baivab Mishra (Puri, 7.5), 4. Soumya Ranjan Mishra (Post, 7.5), 5. Rajesh Nayak (Puri, 7), 6. Bhaskar Sri Viswaroopanand (Puri, 7), 7. Mahesh Prasad Sethi (Puri, 7), 8. Ashirwad Swain (Naya, 6.5), 9. Susobhit Das (Sund, 6.5), 10. Ansuman Samal (Cutt, 6.5).
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PHOTO: Prize winners and guests at the closing function in Puri on April 12, 2015.
