JAMMU, Nov 7: Surinder Gupta emerged as the champion of the VCA 8th Open Khelo Jammu Diwali Cup Chess Tournament, which concluded at Vivek Chess Academy, Jammu, with enthusiastic participation from young and experienced chess players.
Surinder secured the first position with 5.5 points, while Mitansh Magotra finished second with an equal score of 5.5 points. Avni Sharma claimed the third position with four points. A consolation prize was awarded to visually impaired player Devanshu, who also secured four points.
The tournament witnessed closely contested matches, with tie-break games deciding the final positions among several leading players. In the decisive match, Surinder defeated Mitansh to lift the Diwali Cup. Avni defeated Devanshu in the tie-break to secure third place. A tie-break was also conducted in the Under-10 category between Agastya Bhat and Prajanya Mahajan.
A total prize distribution of Rs 5,700, along with trophies and medals, was presented to the winners by Meenal Gupta, President of the All J&K Chess Association, Commonwealth Gold Medallist and former VCA player. She also sponsored the tournament. Vivek Bharti, Coach and Director of Vivek Chess Academy, was also present.
In the Under-13 Boys category, Aadvik Gupta won gold with four points, while Gaurav secured silver and Keshav bagged bronze, both scoring 3.5 points.
In the Under-13 Girls category, Naisha Handoo secured gold with three points, followed by Ruby Kumari with silver and Bhargavi with bronze.
In the Under-10 Boys category, Banaj Mahajan claimed gold with four points, while Prajanya Mahajan won silver and Agastya Bhat secured bronze, both scoring 3.5 points.
In the Under-10 Girls category, Manushree Nischal won gold with three points, Raesha secured silver with two points, while Anahita claimed bronze with one point.
A special highlight of the tournament was the participation of visually impaired player Devanshu, who took part in a VCA tournament for the first time.
Vivek Bharti informed that visually impaired players are provided with specialised adaptive chessboards and assistance from another person. During the tournament, arbiter Stuti Gupta assisted Devanshu with his moves.
Amrita Gupta served as the Chief Arbiter, assisted by Stuti Gupta as Deputy Chief Arbiter.
The tournament concluded with the felicitation of winners and appreciation of the participants, reflecting the growing popularity of chess among children and youth in Jammu.