JAMMU, Aug 20: Emerging young chess talent Pazhany Kohli emerged victorious in the J&K UT U-17 Boys Chess Championship, displaying impressive skill and consistency to overcome a strong field at Nek Hotel, Jammu.
Kohli scored 5.5 points out of a possible six, registering five wins and one draw to finish at the top of the standings. His composed play and flawless execution throughout the championship earned him the coveted title.
Rithvik Gandotra secured the second position with five points, while Samyak Jain finished third, also with five points. As both players were tied on points, their final positions were determined according to the applicable tie-break rules.
The top three finishers have earned eligibility to represent Jammu and Kashmir at the forthcoming National U-17 Chess Championship, scheduled to be held in Jammu from September 28 to October 6, 2026. Other eligible players may also participate through the Special Entry System in accordance with All India Chess Federation (AICF) rules.
Atul Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Planning and Development Commission of the All India Chess Federation, distributed prizes among the winners and congratulated the young players for their performances.
The championship was organised by the All J&K Chess Association under the aegis of the J&K Sports Council. FA Bindu Pathania served as the Chief Arbiter, while Ritish Pathania was the Deputy Arbiter.
All matches were conducted under the Swiss System and in accordance with the latest FIDE Laws of Chess, ensuring fair and standardised competition throughout the championship.
The successful conduct of the event provided a valuable platform for young chess players from Jammu and Kashmir to compete at a high level and prepare for the upcoming national championship.