Abhinav and Leah emerge champions

Bengaluru: Abhinav Anand of Bengaluru defeated Vyan Banchhor in the final round to emerge the state U-9 chess champion on Sunday.
Anand garnered eight points from nine rounds to stay unbeaten in the championship organised at the Shrunga International School and PU College on the outskirts of the city. Samaksh Ashok was second with 7.5 points.
Leah R Joseph defeated Nakshatra Gumudavelly in the final round to top the girls’ category.She too was unbeaten with a score of seven points from seven rounds. Rajeswari Aiyappan finished second with six points. The top four players will represent state at the Nationals.
Results: Boys (Round 9): Abhinav Anand (8) bt Vyan Banchhor (7); Vidith Devaki Bhatta (6.5) lost to Samaksh Ashok (7.5); Ishaan Bhansali (7) bt VN Karthik Malladi (6.5); Dhruv K Dileep (6) lost to Sragvidha S (7); Nischith Gurukar K (6.5) bt Nischal V (6).Standings: 1. Abhinav Anand; 2. Samaksh Ashok; 3. Vyan Banchhor; 4. Sragvidha S.Girls (Round 7): Leah R Joseph (7) bt Nakshatra Gumudavelly (5); Rajeswari Aiyappan (6) bt Sanvitha A Shetty (5); Nesara Arun Kumar (4.5) lost to Soukhya KR (6); Nila KK (5.5) bt Mishika Singhania (4.5); Sara Kagwad (4.5) lost to Rizelle Alida D'Souza (5.5).Standings: 1. Leah R Joseph, 2. Rajeswari Aiyappan, 3. Soukhya RR; 4. Nila KK.