SUHAN Deshpande and Shaunak Badole, both from Nagpur, annexed the titles of 18th GH Raisoni Memorial International FIDE Rapid and Blitz Rating Chess Tournaments respectively which concluded on Sunday. In the rapid rating event, Deshpande with seven consecutive wins in last seven rounds emerged winner with 8½ points, a half point more than the runners-up. After penultimate round, Deshpande, FM Kumar Gaurav of Bihar and another Nagpur youngster Dishank Bajaj led the table with 7½ points each. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Deshpande toppled FM Kumar Gaurav on the top table whereas Dishank Bajaj went down to the top seed IM Kaustav Kundu.

 

Another Nagpur youngster FM Vaibhav Raut scored over Nilay Kulkarni to reach 8 points and bag the second position. Ayush Ramtete of Nagpur toppled Aarit Thakur to reach 8 points to finish third thereby completing the top three positions to Nagpur players. Top seed IM Kaustav Kundu also scored 8 points but was ranked 4th after applying tie-breaks.

 

Badole won all of his nine blitz rounds. FM Siddhant Gawai, Vivaan Saraogi and Saksham Wadhwa scored 8 points and were placed 2nd to 4th based on their tie-break points. Prizes were distributed at the hands of chief guest senior BJP leader Jaiprakash Gupta and guests of honour Shekhar Suryawanshi, Superintendent, CGST and Athletics Coach & Organiser, CA Saket Bagadia, ex-Chairman ICAI Nagpur and Rahul Naidu, Executive Member Chess Association Nagpur & MD Prathamam Manpower Pvt Ltd. Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary, Chess Association Nagpur and IA Ajinkya Pingale Chief Arbiter were seated on the dais. SS Soman, Member MCA Observer Committee conducted the proceedings. Apart from cash prizes to Top 20 finishers of rapid event, prizes were also distributed to Best Veteran Category, Best Nagpur, Best Female 18+ and Best unrated player. Attractive trophies were given to the Top finishers in Under 7, 9, 11, 13, 15. In the blitz section, the topper got a digital chess clock whereas the top 6 players were given trophies. Trophies were also awarded to Under-11 and Under-15 group as well as Best Veteran and Best Female participants.