Suhan Deshpande from Nagpur with a score of 8 ½ points out of total 9 annexed the title of 18th G H Raisoni Memorial International FIDE (Rapid) Rating Chess Tournament which concluded on 15th June 2025 at G.H.Raisoni Institute of Information and Technology, Shraddha Park, Wadi Hingna Link Road, Near MIDC Police Station, Nagpur. The event was organised by G.H.Raisoni Sports and Cultural Foundation jointly with Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and is recognised by the Chess Association Nagpur, Maharashtra Chess Association, All India Chess Federation and FIDE.
Shaunak Badole of Nagpur with 9 points out of Nine rounds won the 18th G H Raisoni Memorial International FIDE (Blitz) Rating Chess Tournament which was also held on 15th June 2025. FM Siddhant Gawai, Vivaan Saraogi and Saksham Wadhwa scored 8 points and were placed 2nd to 4thbased on their tie break points.
In the Rapid Rating event, Suhan with seven consecutive wins in last seven rounds emerged winner with 8 ½ points, a half point more than the runners-up. After penultimate round, Suhan, FM Kumar Gaurav of Bihar and another Nagpur youngster Dishank Bajaj led the table with 7 ½ points each. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Suhan toppled FM Kumar Gaurav on the top table whereas Dishank Bajaj went down to the top seed IM Kaustav Kundu. Another Nagpur youngster FM Vaibhav Raut scored over Nilay Kulkarni to reach 8 points and bag the second position. Ayush Ramtete of Nagpur toppled Aarit Thakur to reach 8 points to finish third thereby completing the top three positions to Nagpur players. Top seed IM Kaustav Kundu also scored 8 points but was ranked 4th after applying tie breaks.
Prizes were distributed at the hands of Chief Guest Noted Social Worker and Senior BJP Leader Shri Jaiprakash Gupta, Guests of Honour Shri Shekhar Suryawanshi, Superintendent, CGST and Athletics Coach & Organiser, CA Saket Bagadia, Ex-Chairman ICAI Nagpur and Shri Rahul Naidu, Executive Member Chess Association Nagpur & MD Prathamam Manpower Pvt Ltd. Shri Bhushan Shriwas, Secretary, Kalpana Prakash Welfare Foundation and Chess Association Nagpur and IA Ajinkya Pingale Chief Arbiter were seated on the dias. Shri S.S.Soman, Member MCA Observer Committee introduced the guests and conducted the proceedings.
Apart from Cash prizes to Top 20 finishers of Rapid event, prizes were also distributed to Best Veteran Category, Best Nagpur, Best Female 18+ and Best unrated player. Attractive trophies shall be given to the Top finishers in Under- 7, 9, 11, 13, 15. In the Blitz Section the topper got a Digital Chess Clock whereas the top 6 players were given trophies. Trophies were also awarded to Under-11 and Under 15 group as well as Best Veteran and Best Female participant.
IA Ajinkya Pingle is the Chief Arbiter of the event who is being assisted by Deputy Chief Arbiter FA Bharti Dhote, IA Sonal Tambi, FA Shiva Iyer, FA Sagar Sakhare, FA Amit Tembhurne, SNA Sham Agrawal, SNA Akash Rewatkar, SNA Prayas Ambade, SNA Shrikant Bagde, SNA Shishir Indurkar, Harshawardhan and Prathamesh Machave.
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