PANAJI: Back in reality mode after a year of virtual chess events across Goa, Mormugao Taluka Chess Association’s first post-Covid19 offline tournament 2021 saw Datta Kambli emerging the champion. The tournament was held at Tilak Maidan,Vasco.
The competition under the auspices of Goa Chess Association (GCA) and in coordination with RCC Vasco pitted invited players from different parts of Mormugao taluka.
According to a press communique, a total of 30 players were invited on the the basis of their International ratings and playing experience. In all, 15 players were rated out of 30 participants and the tournament was played under Swiss-League system involving 5 rounds. Top seed Anirudh Parsekar and 2nd-seed Datta Kambli clashed in the final round.
In a neck and neck match, Anirudh over-sighted a mate threat and lost the game hence Datta Kambli won the tournament with 5 points from 5 rounds remaining unbeaten. Utkarsh Ganpule beat Rohit Gawas to score 4 points to settle for runners-up place, Anirudh was pushed onto the 3rd place. Bhimappa Harijan finished fourth while the 5th place went to Vaskar Rajat – all with 4 points due to less tie-break scores. Meanwhile Valanka Fernandes was felicitated for winning the girls U-11 online state Championship 2020.
Following prizes were awarded: Best U-15 player: Bhargav Habbu, U-13: Asmita Ray, U-11: Aniket Ekka, U-9: Aarush Salgaonkar.
Kishor Bandekar, Secretary GCA & President MTCA, Mukund Kambli, Secretary MTCA, Anil Patil, Executive member MTCA, Ratikant Hoble, Prop. HCA, Prashant Raikar, Member MTCA, Swapnil Hoble, Chief arbiter gave away the prizes.
