SHAUNAK Badole in Open Group and Divyanshi Khandelwal in Women’s Group annexed titles in the Nagpur District Open and Women Selection Chess Championship organised by Chess Association Nagpur in a joint venture with GH Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation at Vivekanand Hall, Shraddha House, Kingsway, Near Kasturchand Park on Sunday. Shaunak, true to his top seeding, scored 6.5 points out of seven rounds and emerged winner. Chandrashekhar Sable, with a last round draw with Shaunak, stood second with 6 points to his credit. Nilay Kulkarni, Sharma Sai and Ayush Ramteke scored 5.5 points and were adjudged third to fifth in the final list.

In the women’s group, Divyanshi, who was seeded fifth, had a memorable event scoring 5 points from 5 rounds. In her march to the top, she beat top seed Aparneeta Jagtap and third seed Tijan Gawar. Aparneeta and Tijan, with their only loss to Divyanshi, were placed second and third respectively with 4 points. Anvi Hirde and Shanaya Shelkar scored 3.5 points and were placed 4th and 5th in the final merit list. Shaunak, Sable, Kulkarni and Sai will represent Nagpur district in Open Group and Divyanshi, Aparneeta, Tijan, Anvi and Shanaya will represent Nagpur District in Women Group in the Maharashtra State Open and Women Chess Championship to be held later this year.

Prizes were distributed at the hands of Yashwant Shamkuwar, Ex-Secretary of Vidarbha Chess Association who is a senior player. Bhushsan Shriwas, Secretary, Chess Association Nagpur and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and Chief Arbiter IA Deepak Chavan were present on the dais. Top 10 finishers in both the categories got trophies and medals. Medals were also given to top player in Under-15, 13, 11, 9, 7 age groups. Chavan was assisted by SNA Sagar Sakhare, SNA Sham Agrawal, SNA Prayas Ambade and Prathamesh Machave.