Mandar Lad emerged as the champion of the Rising India School of Excellence & Chirrags Group All-Goa Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2026, organised by the Mormugao Taluka Chess Association in collaboration with Rising India School of Excellence, Sancaole. Displaying excellent form throughout the event, Mandar remained unbeaten and secured first place with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000.
Shubh Borkar finished as runner-up with 7.5 points out of 9 rounds, while Paarth Salvi secured third place with 7 points. Other players who featured among the top twenty prize-winners were Vivaan Ballikar, Rishikesh Parab, Satyam Phal, Vihaan Tari, Aaryavrat Naik Dessai, Aryan Raikar, Shubham Sawaikar, Aarav Chopdekar, Anish Naik, Rishit Gawas, Atharv Katkar, Sairudra Nagvekar, Atharva Ghatwal, Love Kakodkar, Nathan Cardozo, Skyla Rodrigues and Vaishnavi Parab.
In the age-category, the Under-15 boys awards were won by Avnish Borkar and Neevan Mandlekar, while Anvi Dessai and Sayuri Prabhu Nasnodkar secured the Under-15 girls prizes. In the Under-13 category, Arthav Shirodkar and Rhys Carvalho won the boys’ prizes, while Aaradhya Sawant and Khayvalvizhi Kamesh won the girls’ prizes. The Under-11 Boys prizes were claimed by Kavin Kamesh and Urmish Deusekar, while Aadhya Mesta and Shinel Rodrigues won the Under-11 Girls prizes.
In the Under-9 category, Veer Manerikar and Joash Cardozo secured the boys’ prizes, while Shreesha Ghadi and Amaira Borkar won the girls’ prizes. The Under-7 Boys prizes were won by Ivaan Pednekar and Ojas Kamat, while Sreeja Ghanekar and Paaviya Naik secured the Under-7 Girls prizes.
Vidhi Naik won the Best Unrated Player award, while Prashant Salvi was declared Best Veteran Above 50 years. Avni Kamat received the prize for Best Female Player Above 15 years. Among the Best Mormugao Players, Advait Dhawaliker, Rudra Nagarsekar and Sachit Pai secured the male prizes, while Aarna Sawant, Ghonge Drisha and Torres Dazzle won the female prizes.
The prize distribution ceremony was held in the presence of Chief Guest Aniket Salunke, Principal of Rising India School of Excellence, along with Shrishti Chaurasia (Business Development Manager, RISE), Aleena Rane (Administration Head, RISE), Remi Rajan (PYP Coordinator, RISE), Jennie Rodrigues and Kallol Maitra (Parent Relationship Managers, RISE), MTCA President Sujan Sukhatankar, MTCA Secretary Deepak Gawas, former AICF Treasurer Kishor Bandekar, IA Sanjay Kavlekar (SAG Chess Coach), MTCA Treasurer Mukesh Adiha, Joint Secretary FA Pushpashil Satardekar, Chief Arbiter FA Tanishq Kavlekar and Arbiter FA Avijit Ray.
