Current Women National Champion WGM Divya Deshmukh and GM Raunak Sadhwani, the two Chess Celebrities of Nagpur had a dream run at the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022 which concluded at Chennai(Mahabalipuram) on 10th August 2022.
GM Raunak played for India-2 Team which finished Third in overall tally with a Creditable Bronze Medal for the country. GM Raunak scored 5.5 point out of 8 on Fourth Board for India-2 Team. He was instrumental in some of the spectacular wins of his team specially against Top Seeds USA team. GM Raunak scored a notable victory against GM Dominguez Perez, Leinier(FIDE Rating: 2754) which helped his team to score a 3-1 victory against Top Seeds. Raunak gave a Rating performance of 2642 against his own Rating of 2611. Raunak returned to Nagpur on 12th August 2022. Shri Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary, CAN, Shri S.S.Soman, Tournament Committee Member of MCA, Shri Prayas Ambade and Shri Amit Bhongare from CAN, Shri Shubham Soni, Arbiter alongwith host of officials of Chess Association Nagpur were present at Nagpur Airport to welcome Raunak.
Current National Woman Champion WGM Divya Deshmukh scored 7 points out of Nine games to earn a creditable Individual Bronze Medal on Fifth Board. She was top scorer for her team. Although her team finished 8th in overall tally, WGM Divya with her spectacular performance got Individual Bronze Medal. WGM Divya Returned to Nagpur on 11th August 2022. Shri Bhushan Shriwas, Shri S.S.Soman Shri Prayas Ambade from Chess Association Nagpur were present at Nagpur Railway Station to Welcome the Medalist.
The Third chess prodigy from Nagpur City, GM Sankalp Gupta too contributed immensely in the role of Assitant Coach of India-1 team which consisted of players like GM Harikrishna, GM Vidit Gujrathi, GM Sasikiran and GM Arjun Erigaisi. This experience of working with Top Grandmasters of the country will surely help GM Sankalp to improve his performance in future.
The foundation of the great performance of three Chess prodigies was laid at the FIDE Olympiad Torch Rally which passed through Nagpur city on 2nd July 2022. The trio of Raunak, Divya and Sankalp led the rally through Nagpur City culminating in a Grand function at G.H.Raisoni College, Wadi Hingna Road, Nagpur on 2nd July 2022. Now the great performance by Nagpur Stars has taken the name of Nagpur City to new heights. The Officials of Chess Association Nagpur led by Adv Nishant Gandhi have congratulated Raunak, Divya and Sankalp for remarkable performance and have extended warm wishes to them for future events.
To celebrate the spectacular success of Nagpurians, Chess Association Nagpur has organized a Felicitation Program for the Three Chess Superstars of Nagpur at BRA Mundle Hall, Near Deekshabhumi, Nagpur on 14th August 2022 at 09.00 hrs during the Inauguration function of the Nagpur Below 1600 FIDE Rating Chess Tournament. The Felicitation and Inauguration of the event shall be at the hands of Prominent Social Worker Shri Girish Gandhi, President of Vanrai Foundation. Shri Girish Vyas, Ex-MLC and Vice President of Maharashtra Chess Association shall preside over the felicitation and inauguration function. The tournament is being conducted by Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and is recognized by the Chess Association Nagpur, MCA, AICF and FIDE.
The Tournament has attracted huge 456 Entries. The total prizes of Rs 3 lakhs shall be distributed to the winners. The Trophy’s are sponsored by URBAN NUKKAD. The tournament shall be played in nine rounds from 14th august to 16th august 2022. International Arbiter Shri Pramodraj Moree shall be the Chief Arbiter for the event who will be assisted by FA Pravin Thakre, Shubham Soni, Amit Tembhurne, Prayas Ambade Amit Bhongare and others. Shri S.S.Soman, Working President, CAN, Shri Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary, Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and CAN alongwith the Organising Committee Members of Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and Chess Association Nagpur are taking care of the arrangements for the felicitation program and organization of event for its success.
Chess Association Nagpur has appealed to all Chess lovers and enthusiast to visit the tournament venue for the felicitation program of city chess stars.