PANJIM: Oct 16th 2018::: The Goa Chess Association’s 1st Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament gets underway as Goa’s top players have a great start at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Bambolim, recently.The GCA’s 1st GM Open Chess scripted a golden line in their 40th anniversary following the successful start of the campaign.
Speaking during the inaugural ceremony chief guest Minister for Power and GCA President Nilesh Cabral said, “We would like to thank the government of Goa headed by our CM Manohar Parrikar for giving us the required support in hosting this championship. After world junior championship this is the first Grandmaster tournament in the State and
we are proud to host it,”
Cabral played the first move of the tournament with top seed GM Kravtsiv Martyn to announce the tournament open. “We have received a great response from the participants for this tournament and welcome all the 1130 odd participants who have come a long way and we wish them a successful tournament ahead,” Cabral wished the participants and felicitated all the GMs present at the championship including Goa’s first GM Anurag Mhamal and Women Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni.
“Goa has made history by hosting an event of such a calibre making them on par with other metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Chennai and others by providing best of the facilities in terms of hotel, stay, accommodations etc. This is an opportunity for all the young Goan chess players to get them international exposure,” said Tournament Director Kishor Bandekar.
The GCA’s 1st GM tournament is a unique chess tournament which features players between the age of 7 to 74 from 17 different countries.
“The tournament started as per the schedule commencing with the Category B while the Category A started in the second session after the inaugural ceremony,” added Bandekar.
Earlier, Nilesh Cabral lit the traditional lamp in the presence of BCH Negi Director of Airport Authority of India, G Mangunath PCL chief regional manager, Kishor Bandekar secretary Goa Chess Association and Tournament Director, Vipnesh Bharadwaz chief international arbiter,
Ashish Keni GCA Vice President, Khanolkar Vice President of GCA, Vishwa’s Pilankar treasurer of GCA, Vasant Naik Vice President and other dignitaries. The ceremony had began with a Navratri Pooja and traditional folk dance Kanta Gaudi under the guidance of Department of
Art and Culture (Goa) and GCA Vice President Ashish Keni proposed the vote of thanks.
Goans perform
Goa’s Anurag Mhamal kept his composure in the Round 1 of the Category A as he eased his way past WFM Bidhar Rutumbara. Meanwhile Fide Master Ameya Audi beat AFM Choubey Saurabh to begin his Cat A campaign on a high.
On top boards, GM Kravstiv Martyn, GM Amonatov Farrukh, GM Popov Ivan, GM Idnai Pouyo recorded comfortable wins in their respective encounters, while GM Tukhaev Adam, GM Kunte Abhijit were held by Himanshu Ranjan and Santanu B Gohain respectively.
Goan Devi S Naik put up a strong fight and earned half a point frustrating a higher rated player, holding Kumar Gaurav (ratings 2236) to a draw. Meanwhile WGM Bhakti Kulkarni match with Akash Dalvi ended in a draw.
Another highlight was Nashik lass Dhanshree Rathi, who pulled off a great upset as she beat WIM Kasparova Tatiana from Belarus.
Earlier in the B category, Goa’s masterminds had a fine start on Day 1 as Anirudh V Bhat, Anvesh Bandekar, Swayam Naik, Sawant Tatvesh Ramdas, Sirsat Shekar, Amogh Namshilker, Vihan Dumir, Paarth Salvi, Aaryan Raikar began on a winning note.
Uzbekistan’s Safarov Donir had a fine start collecting maximum points in Round 1 easily beating Yash Abhijt Patel. Meanwhile the other foreign player —Laddha Yash Jayesh slummed to a shock defeat against Nirgul Keval.
