BHUBANESWAR 14-Sep-2016
Tamil Nadu International Master P Shyamnikhil clinched the title in the 5th Keshabananda Das Memorial All-India Fide Rating Chess Tournament, which was organized by Khorda District Chess Association (KDCA), under the aegis of All Odisha Chess Association, at Hotel Empires here from Sept 16 to 18, 2016.
In the nine-round tournament, which had a total of 95 players in the fray, Shyamnikhil scored 7.5 points to take home the top prize of Rs 75,000. Local favourite, top seed and Air India IM Swayams Mishra finished first runner-up with seven points. He became richer by Rs 50,000. IM VAV Rajesh (Airport Authority of India) settled as second runner-up, which fetched him Rs 35,000.
Odisha players failed to live up to expectations as none of them could secure a place among the top-10 finishers. Among the Odisha campaigners Smaraki Mohanty occupied 15th position, followed by Rakesh Kumar Nayak (23rd), Biswajit Nayak (24th) and WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty (25th).
The tournament carried a total prize fund of Rs 2.5 lakh. The entry fee for each player was Rs 1,250, which included free dormitory accommodation at Kalinga Stadium. Former Odisha Police DG, Sarat Chandra Misra, handed over the trophy and cash prizes in the closing function. KDCA secretary Subhasis Patnaik, joint-secretary Saroj Kishore Behera, arbiters VL Anand Babu, Tapas Mohanty and Santosh Mohapatra were present on the occasion.
FINAL PLACINGS (Top 10): 1. IM P Shyamnikhil (TN, 7.5), 2. IM Swayams Mishra (AI, 7), 3. IM VAV Rajesh (AAI, 7), 4. B Sekar (TN, 6.5), 5. GM MR Venkatesh (PSPB, 6.5), 6. J Malleswara Rao (AP, 6.5), 7. FM Purushothaman Thirumalai (AP, 6.5), 8. IM BT Murali Krishnan (Rlys, 6.5), 9. IM R Bhuvanesh Ramnath (TN, 6.5), 10. IM Anurag Mhamal (Goa, 6.5).
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PHOTO: Top three prize-winners with chief guest Sarat Chandra Mishra and KDCA secretary Subhasis Patnaik at the closing function in Bhubaneswar on Sept 14, 2016.
