Sports

GHRU, Amravati Organizes 2nd G H Raisoni Memorial International FIDE Rapid Rating Chess Competition

The 2^nd G H Raisoni Memorial Amravati International FIDE Rapid Rating Chess Tournament was held on February 9, 2025, to foster enthusiasm and passion for the game through a combination of strength and technique. IM Kushagra Mohan from Telangana clinched the crown, emerging as the winner of the tournament. The event was organized by the G H Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation in collaboration with the Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and the Amravati Chess Association. It was recognized by the Maharashtra Chess Association, All India Chess Federation, and FIDE. The tournament attracted 373 participants from across India, including two International Masters: IM Kushagra Mohan and IM Ravi Teja. The youngest participant was 4-year-old Advi Ankit Bhngewar, while the oldest player was 86-year-old Ishwar Ramteke.

IM Kushagra scored 8.5 points out of nine games, earning the title along with a cash prize of ₹50,000 and a glittering trophy. The standout player of the event was Nihaan Pohane from Chandrapur, who, in the Under-15 age group, scored 8 points against seasoned players to finish as the runner-up, receiving a cash prize of ₹30,000. Eight players, including Vaibhav Jayant Raut, Pawan Dodeja, Shaunak Badole, Siddhant Gawai, Nachiket Paturkar, Vedant Panesar, Priyanshu Patil, and Rajat Kamdi, scored 7.5 points and were ranked from 3rd to 10th based on their tiebreak scores.

Prizes were distributed by Smt. Vaishali Dhande, IRS, Deputy Commissioner of Central GST Amravati, in the presence of CA Saket Mehta, Vice Chairman of ICAI, Amravati, and Smt. Vishwaja Wankhede, an ardent cyclist. Dr. Vinayak Deshpande, Vice Chancellor of G.H. Raisoni University, Amravati, presided over the function. Shri Bhushan Shriwas, Organizing Secretary, Shri Pawan Dodeja, Secretary of the Amravati Chess Association, and Shri S.S. Soman, Member of the MCA Observer Committee, were also present. In addition to cash prizes for the top 15 finishers, awards were given for Best Veteran (55+), Best Female (18+), Best Amravati Player, Best Unrated Player, and Best Players in the rating categories of 1400-1600 and 1601-1800. Trophies were awarded to the top boys and girls in the Under-7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 age categories.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Pawan Dodeja, Secretary of the Amravati Chess Association, in the presence of Dr. Vinayak Deshpande and Shri Bhushan Shriwas. IA Ajinkya Pingale from Mumbai officiated the event, assisted by FA Shiva Iyer, FA Sonal Tambi, FA Sagar Sakhare, FA Amit Tembhurne, FA Bharti Dhote, SNA Akash Rewatkar, SNA Mandar Bakshi, SNA Tanvi Sanap, SNA Prayas Ambade, Ninad Saraf, Chinmay Harne, Sharva Kolwadkar, Varsha Patil, Shishir Indurkar, and Prathamesh Machave.