Rlys, PSPB make winning moves to bag titles at chess nationals

Raipur: Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) A and Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) emerged champions in the open and women's categories respectively at the chief minister Chhattisgarh Trophy 45th National Men and 23rd Women Team Chess Championship. The week-long event, held at Agrasen Dham, concluded on Sunday under the aegis of the Chhattisgarh State Chess Association and the direction of the All India Chess Federation (AICF).The winners in the open category, RSPB A, were awarded the chief minister Chhattisgarh Trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 1.25 lakh. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) secured the second position, receiving Rs 1 lakh, while RSPB B finished third, taking home Rs 75,000. Cash prizes were also distributed to teams ranking up to the tenth position. In the women's section, PSPB claimed the top spot with a prize of Rs 1.25 lakh. AAI secured the second rank with Rs 1 lakh, followed by West Bengal A in third place with Rs 75,000.In the open category, Fide Master Adi Reddy Arjun of Telangana A won the first prize for Board 1. International Master (IM) Shri Hari L of Puducherry topped Board 2, and IM Aranyaka Ghosh of RSPB B took the honours for Board 3. Notable performances included Grand Master Vignesh NR of RSPB B and GM Sriram Jha of LIC, who secured podium finishes on their respective boards.In the women's category, Woman Grand Master (WGM) Mary Ann Gomes of PSPB topped Board 1. Kiran Manisha Mohanty of LIC secured the first prize for Board 2, while Woman Fide Master (WFM) Arshiya Das of PSPB led Board 3.