Ivaan Dubey wins all seven rounds at Maharashtra school chess meet; six new champions crowned

Six new winners emerged across six categories in the first phase of the SBI Life Maharashtra State School Chess Championship. Ivan Dubey, Lia Krishnan, Kaushik Ajinkya Rayate, Tvesha Ashish Jain, Samvid Pasbola and Khanak Pahariya won their respective titles. The standout performance was Dubey's: he won all seven rounds to score seven points out of seven, the most dominant showing of the tournament.

The seven-round, FIDE-rated event was organised by the Indian Chess School at Rustomjee Cambridge International School in Dahisar (West). A total of 417 players took part in six categories: open and girls' sections for players under 7, under 11 and under 15. The title race stayed alive until the last round, and tie-break calculations added to the contest.

In the under-7 open section, Ivan Dubey of Braniacs International School was the top seed. He won all seven games and took the title without any dispute. Yuvansh Nimja of Global Indian International School finished second on six points. Advik Verma of Wibgyor High School, Kharghar, also had six points but placed third on tie-break.

In the under-7 girls' section, top seed Lia Krishnan of Kanakia International School won with six points. Eleanor D'Souza and Neerja Jadhav of Witty International School scored 5.5 points each and finished second and third respectively.

In the under-11 open section, Kaushik Ajinkya Rayate of SNBP International School, Rahatani, won the title with 6.5 points. Agastya N. Kasat of CNM Mumbai and Viren Rohit Boricha of Matrix Academy School had six points each and finished second and third. Among girls, top seed Tvesha Ashish Jain of Greenlawns High School also won with 6.5 points. Aashvi Ankit Agrawal of Gundecha Education Academy was runner-up on six points, and Sanamari John Paul of R.N. Podar School was third on five points.

In the under-15 open section, top seed Samvid Pasbola of Hiranandani Foundation International School won the title with six points. AFM Rayan Merchant of CNM School, Vile Parle, and AFM Taseen Rafique Tadvi of St Teresa Convent High School scored 5.5 points each and finished second and third respectively. Among girls, Khanak Pahariya of Narayana e-Techno School, Andheri, won with six points. Mahua Vighnesh Deshpande of CNM School was second on 5.5 points and Pranita Bhava of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyalaya third on five points.

The result carries added significance. Under the rules of the Maharashtra Chess Association, the top two players in each of the six categories will get to represent Maharashtra at the upcoming national school chess championship. Players therefore competed to the end not only for the state title but also for a place in the national event.

At the closing ceremony, prizes were presented by international arbiter P. B. Bhilare and by Prafull Zaveri, founder, managing director and tournament director of the Indian Chess School. The top three players in each category received SBI Life trophies, and players placed fourth to tenth were given medals. The top ten in each of the six categories also received a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each. In all, Rs 6 lakh in prize money was distributed.

The tournament was conducted smoothly under chief arbiter and international arbiter P. B. Bhilare. Principal sponsor SBI Life and venue partner Rustomjee Cambridge International School supported the event.