The Raisoni Memorial FIDE Rating Chess Tournament began at the Dr Ambedkar Institute of TManagtement College Hall here on Sunday.
Vice president of All India Chess Federation Manoj Itkelwar presided over the function. Amit Gandhare, PRO Raisoni Group, Anup Deshmukh, Bhushan Shriwas, secretary Kalpana Prakash Foundation and chief arbiter Swapnil Bansod were present on the occasion.
On top board, top seed IM VAV Rajesh outclassed S Kalgaonkar of Maharashtra on the top board. In a one-sided second round encounter, Rajesh of Tamil Nadu defeated Kalgaonkar, who has Elo rating of 1235.
On the second board, IM Anwesh Upadhyaya of Odisha downed CD Gajbhiye of Maharashtra. Fide Master Niranjan Navalgund of Karnataka had no problem in getting the better of Riddhi Palorkar to share the lead with two points to his credit. Nagpur’s first IM Anup Deshmukh, representing LIC, downed teenager Anant Gotmare to take his points tally to two. Another local player and FM Sauravh Khherdekaroutclassed  his citymate Sanskar Gaigore to end the day with two wins. Other seeded players also scored two wins in as many rounds to share the lead.
Earlier the tournament was inaugurated by two talented local players Vivaan Saraogi and Vedika Pal by playing the move on the board.
