Shaunak Badole in Open Group and Divyanshi Khandelwal in Women Group Annex the Title of the Nagpur District Open and Women Selection Chess Championship organized by Chess Association Nagpur in association with G.H.Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation on 26th March 2023 at Vivekanand Hall, Shraddha House, Kingsway, Near Kasturchand Park, Nagpur.
Shaunak true to his Top seeding scored 6.5 points out of seven rounds and emerged winner. Chandrashekhar Sable with a last round draw with Shaunak stood second with 6 points to his credit. Nilay Kulkarni, Sharma Sai and Ayush Ramteke scored 5.5 points and were adjudged 3rd to 5th in the final list.
In the women Group, Divyanshi Khandelwal who was seeded fifth at the start of championship had a memorable event scoring all 5 points out of 5 rounds and won the championship. In her march to the top, she scored over the Top Seed Aparneeta Jagtap and Third seed Tijan Gawar. Aparneeta Jagtap and Tijan Gawar with their only loss to Divyanshi were placed second and third respectively with 4 points. Anvi Hirde and Shanaya Shelkar scored 3.5 points and were placed 4th and 5th in the final merit list.
Shaunak Badole, Chandrashekhar Sable, Nilay Kulkarni and Sharma Sai shall represent Nagpur District in Open Group and Divyanshi Khandelwal, Aparneeta Jagtap, Tijan Gawar, Anvi Hirde and Shanaya Shelkar shall represent Nagpur District in Women Group in the Maharashtra State Open and Women Chess Championship to be held later this year.
Prizes were distributed at the hands of Shri Yashwant Shamkuwar, Ex. Secretary of Vidarbha Chess Association who is a Senior player himself. Shri Bhushsan Shriwas, Secretary, Chess Association Nagpur and Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and Chief Arbiter IA Deepak Chavan were present on the dais. Top 10 Finishers in Open and Women Group got the Trophies and Medals. Medals were also given to Top player in Under 15,13,11,09,07 Category.
Chief Arbiter IA Deepak Chavan, successfully conducted the event assisted by SNA Sagar Sakhare, SNA Sham Agrawal, SNA Prayas Ambade and Prathamesh Machave.
