The Category B event of the Late Shri Manohar Parrikar 3rd Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament 2025 concluded in an exciting fashion, with Maharashtra’s Atharva Madkar claiming the top spot after scoring 8.5 points from 10 rounds.
The tournament, organised by the Goa Chess Association in aegis with the All India Chess Federation (AICF), witnessed fierce competition at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao. Tamil Nadu’s AIM Ashwinth Michael and Gujarat’s Rudra S Pathak finished second and third respectively, each with 8 points.
The champion was awarded a cash prize of ₹1,75,000, while the runner-up received ₹1,35,000, and third placed took home ₹1,00,000. Various other cash prizes were distributed. Completing the top five standings were Rushikesh Kabnurkar (Maharashtra) and Gokul G (Tamil Nadu), both scoring 8 points.
Other notable performers included Aditya Shripad Joshi (Maharashtra) securing 6th place, Kantilal Dave (Rajasthan) at 7, and M A Unnikrishnan (Kerala) at 8, all of whom also secured 8 points. Telangana’s Keerthan Solletti and Goa’s own Devesh Anand Naik led the group of players finishing with 7.5 points, with Devesh achieving a commendable 10th position. The top 16 standings featured two Goan players – Devesh and the talented U11 player Joshua Mark Telles, who secured 15th place, both scoring 7.5 points.
Promising Performance by Goan Players
Goan players displayed an impressive performance in this highly competitive event, with six players featuring in the top 50 standings. Apart from Devesh Naik and Joshua Telles, notable Goan players include Anirudh Parsekar, who finished 25th with 7 points, and WCM Gunjal Chopdekar, who scored 6.5 points to secure 26th position. Youngsters Aayush Shirodkar (29th), Datta Kambli (42nd), and Joy Kakodkar (47th) also made their mark, each scoring 6.5 points in a field comprising players from across India.
Special prizes were awarded in multiple categories. AFM Edrick Vaz from Goa won the award for Best Below ELO 1700-1799 with 6.5 points. Rajveer Patil and Erwin Albuquerque, both from Goa, claimed the Best Below ELO 1600-1699 and Best Below ELO 1400-1599 prizes, respectively. The Best Goan Player awards were presented to Shubh Vishnu Borkar (1st), Rishikesh Parab (2nd), and Aaryavrat Rasiket Naik Desai (3rd). WCM Chinnam Vyshnavi from Andhra Pradesh won the Best Female Player award, while IM Wazeer Ahmad Khan from Uttar Pradesh took home the Best Veteran Player (+60) prize, followed by Goa’s Suhas Asnodkar in second place. Maharashtra’s young U15 talent Vihaan Mehra won the Best Unrated Player prize.
In the Best Age Category segment, the top players across various age groups were recognized for their outstanding performances. Elesh Tripathi (Under 15), Rudradaman Mertia (Under 13), and Rishaan Jain (Under 11) emerged as winners in their respective age groups. Goa’s young chess prodigies also made their mark, with Saras Summer Powar (Under 13, 3rd place) and Evan Antonio Telles (Under 7, 1st place) delivering notable performances. Among the girls, Archita Agrawal (Under 15), Anvita Sathi (Under 13), and Skyla Rodrigues (Under 11) secured first place in their respective categories. Goa’s rising young talent was further celebrated through special awards given to players such as Chaitanya Sushant Patil (U15), Sachit Pai (U13), Vihaan Tari (U11), Prayank Gaonkar (U9), Anvi Abhay Desai (U15 Girls), Navya Narvekar(U13 Girls), Tvisha Vallabha Dessai (U11 Girls), Vania Vaibhav Dukle (U9 Girls) and Yajwari Tukaram Shetye (U7 Girls).
The Category B prize distribution ceremony was graced by chief guest Rohan Gawas Desai, Secretary of the Goa Cricket Association and social worker, Utpal Manohar Parrikar, industrialist and social worker, Naresh Sawal, former MLA, and Gaurish Dhond, social worker. Goa Chess Association officials present at the event included President Mahesh Candolkar, Secretary Ashesh Keni, Treasurer Vishwas Pilankar, and Amogh Namshikar, GCA member.
Meanwhile the action in the Late Shri Manohar Parrikar 3rd Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament 2025, continues with its premier Category A and C events, which will conclude on January 19, 2025.
Category B Results link:
https://chess-results.com/tnr1080471.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=10&turdet=YES&flag=30
