Kartikeya Sawant, Sadhya Jadhav win group titles at LIC-Mumbai Mayor Cup school chess

The winners of two age groups have been decided in the LIC-Mumbai Mayor Cup school chess tournament, sponsored by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Kartikeya Sawant won the under-12 section and Sadhya Jadhav the under-8 section. Kartikeya scored 4.5 points and took the title on a better average. Sadhya finished first with 5 points, remaining unbeaten.

The tournament was organised by Ideal Sports Academy and the Anandrao Adsul Charitable Trust. The games were played in the air-conditioned auditorium of RMMS.

The under-12 section was decided in the fifth and decisive league round, in which Kartikeya faced a challenge from Mrunmayee Davre. Both players ended with 4.5 points each, but Kartikeya took first place on the strength of a better average. Mrunmayee Davre had to settle for second place. Ayansh Patil was third with 4 points, Naitik Palkar fourth with 4 points and Sarth Loke fifth with 4 points.

In the under-8 section, Sadhya Jadhav's dominance went unchecked. She collected a total of 5 points. Sadhya got the better of strong challenges from Arinjay Bhattacharjee, Ekam Bagla and Ethan Picardo. In the same section, Arinjay Bhattacharjee was second with 4 points, Ekam Bagla third with 4 points and Ethan Picardo fourth with 4 points. Smit Loke scored 3.5 points to take fifth place.

At the ceremony, winner Kartikeya Sawant was felicitated with a trophy and gifts. Present on the occasion were player Govindrao Mohite, LIC official Ramesh Joshi, sports enthusiasts Nivrutti Desai and Anna Shirsekar, coach Rajababu Gajengi and Shivchhatrapati Award winner Leeladhar Chavan. The top 15 players in each section of the tournament were also given prizes.