JAMMU :International Master (IM) Vignesh Telengana maintained his lead in the open category while Fide Master (FM) Prishita Gupta emerged front runner in girls event at the end of round four in the ongoing 36th National U-17 Open and Girls Chess Championship at Kangra Fort banquets and Resorts in the city outskirts, here today.
In open event, FM Bivor Adak of West Bengal, FM Madesh Kumar of Pondicherry and FM Madhvendra Pratap Sharma of Madhya Pradesh were leading with equal four points alongwith IM Vignesh.
Similarly, in girls event, Shivamshika of Telengana and Prishita Gupta of Delhi were at the top with four points each.
Record 286 players from 30 states and UTs of the country, including 38 J&K players are contesting for the top honours in this 11-round event spread over nine days.
Meanwhile, a good number of boys and a couple of girls from hosts J&K have performed well with two wins out of the four rounds of the competition.
Event carries a total cash award of Rs.9.00 lakhs. The winners out of this National event shall qualify for the upcoming World, Asian and Commonwealth events. The event is held under the supervision of Atul Kumar Gupta Chairman Planning and Development Commission of All India Chess Federation and also Director of this Tournament.
Arbiters team is led by Jismon Mathew of Kerela, Deputy chief Arbiter Arbind Singh of Bihar, Ovais from kerela and supported by around 13 other arbiters from various states.
The event is being played under Swiss system under FIDE Laws of Chess and organised by the All J&K Chess Association under the aegis of J&K Sports Council on behalf of All India Chess Federation.
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