WCM Gunjal Chopdekar topped the Goa State Women’s Chess Championship/Selection Tournament 2026 organised by Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association in Panaji.
WCM Gunjal of Tiswadi delivered a stellar, dominant performance, finishing at the top with an impressive score of 6 points from 6 rounds to claim the championship trophy and a cash prize of Rs 4,000.
Following closely behind in a fierce race for the remaining podium spots were Vaishnavi Vijay Parab (Pedne), Terse Asmi Amit (Salcete), and WCM Swera Ana Braganca (Tiswadi) – all with 5 points each. Based on tie-break parameters, Vaishnavi secured the 2nd rank, Asmi took 3rd, while Swera wqs placed 4th.
Gunjal, Vaishnavi Vijay Parab, Terse Asmi Amit, and Swera Ana Braganca have thus qualified to represent Goa at the upcoming National Championship.
The final standings and respective prize-winners from 5th to 10th are as follows: Lyia Silveira, Vania Dukle, Krutika Aggarwal, Skyla Rodrigues, Muriel Fernandes, Aaradhya Sawant.
Category prize-winners in U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, are: Jigyasa Gawas, Sreeja Ghanekar, Naik Paaviya, Gargi Gauns, Aadhya Pilankar, Srisha Naik, Goonj Kouthankar, Rehanshi Bhomkar, Viyomi Parab, Shaurvi Kakkonkar, Tvisha Dessai, Shinel Rodrigues, Aarya Kamat Helekar, Naisha Agrawal, Anvi Desai, Pradnya Kakodkar, Sayuri Nasnodkar.
Chaitanya Tarcar was the chief guest and presented the prizes alongside Mahesh Candolkar, President of Goa Chess Association; Dattaram Pinge, Treasurer and Tournament Coordinator; and Arvind Mhamal, Chief Arbiter; Dinesh Sinari, Pallavi Kakodkar, and Atish Angle among others.
