Saras Summer Powar emerged champion of the Late Lt Cdr Gopal Sukhtankar Memorial Open Rapid FIDE Rating Chess 2025, organised by the Mustifund Parents Teacher Association on 21st and 22nd February 2026 at Menezes Braganza Hall, Panaji. This is the 14th year that Mushtifund Parents Teacher Association has been organising this tournament.
Saras and Joshua Telles both scored an impressive 8 points each. However, due to a superior tie-break score, Saras secured the championship title, while Joshua Telles finished as runner-up. Aryavrat Naik Desai delivered a strong performance, scoring 7.5 points to claim third place.
Final Standings (4th to 20th Place):
Abhishek Patil, Atharva Katkar, Rishikesh Parab, Maxwell Raposo, Satyam Phal, Balkrishna Pednekar, Hriday Morajkar, Summetkumar M S, Evan Telles, Shayakberov Anar, Bezstrakhov Dmitry, Rushikesh Kabnuakar, Vihaan Tari, Prayank Gaonkar, Vishwesh Kochrekar, Cardozo Joash, and Sai Prabhakaran.
Category Prize Winners (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 – Boys & Girls): Shrivalli Gandhi, Lyia Silveira, Anvi Desai, Kaya Renee Coutinho, Jensina Sequeira, Skyla Rodrigues, Rodrigues Shinel, Redkar Shanvi, Krutika Aggarwal, Aaradhya Dessai, Ghadi Shreesha, Dacunha Sidonia, Jigyasa Gawas, Sreeja Ghanekar, Sarvang Pagi, Avnish Borker, Aash Naik Desai, Malvankar Prachet, Cardozo Nathan, Ishan Paramshetti, Rishit Gawas, Sarthak Naik, Kolyvanov Anton, Zayn Gonsalves, Aarav Nagueshkar, Naik Aarav, Vivaan Kadam, Pednekar Ivaan, and Nirbhay Gaude.
Special Awards: Youngest Player: Gaonkar Aayansh; Veteran Players: Elis Barreto and Kiran Chopdekar; Mushtifund Players: Dharmaditya Naik, Aarush Nachinilkar, Salij Dhargalkar, Tejas Chodankar, and Aaryan Vengurlekar.
The prize distribution ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Sushant Redkar, who presented the awards in the presence of Mahesh Candolkar, President of the Goa Chess Association. MHSPTA Chairman Sagar Agni, Vice Chairperson Savi Naik, Headmistress of Mushtifund High School, Aparna Chari, Assistant Headmistress, Beena Shankhawalkar; along with IA Arvind Mhamal, Chief Arbiter, and FA Dattaram Pinge, Deputy Chief Arbiter. Savi Naik alongwith all other PTA Members.
