GRANDMASTER Debashis Das and International Master Anwesh Upadhyaya recorded facile wins in their respective first round matches of the 2nd GH Raisoni Memorial All India FIDE Rapid and Blitz Rating Tournament. The two-day mega event organised by Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation in Association with GH Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation got under way on Saturday at GH Raisoni Institute of Engineering and Technology, Shraddha Park, MIDC, Nagpur. On the top board, GM Das played Tarrasch Opening and won against Anklesh Bhalerao in 30 moves. On the second board, International Mater Upadhyaya, playing Cara-kann, against Anshul Mahant, emerged winner in 20 moves. Total 342 players are participating in the event. Seventh Round will start at 9:00 am on Monday. Blitz tournament will start at 2 pm and will be followed by prize distribution at 6 pm.

 

At the outset, the tournament was inaugurated by Ajay Sancheti, Ex-Member of Parliament and Nishant Gandhi, President, Chess Association Nagpur. Also present on the dais were Sachidanand Soman, Tournament Committee Member of Maharashtra Chess Association; Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary, Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation & Organising Chairman and Chief Arbiter IA Promod Raj Moree. Soman proposed a vote of thanks. IA Pravin Pantawane, FA Pravin Thakre, FA Shubham Soni, SNA Sheetal Panbude, SNA Swati Kumbhalkar, Amit Temburne, Prayas Ambade, Amit Bhongare, Vikrant Chole, Satish Pusdekar, Pratik Dhage, Abjiheet Maidamwar, Tanvi Thakur, Vivek Joshi are working hard to make the tournament a grand success.