Telengana International Master M Chakravarthi Reddy emerged champion in the 6th Keshabananda Das Memorial All India Open Fide Rating Chess Tournament, which was organised by Khordha District Chess Association (KDCA), under the aegis of All Odisha Chess Association (AOCA), here at Hotel Empires from April 5 to 9, 2017.

Reddy scored eight points out of a possible nine to take home the top prize of Rs 50,000 along with trophy. West Bengal GM Saptarshi Roy Chowdhury and Al Muthaiah (TamilNadu) pocketed the second and third prizes of Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.

Altogether 259 players participated in the tournament, which offered a total prize fund of Rs 5 lakh. Fide Master Rakesh Kumar Jena was most successful Odisha player, finishing 13th with seven points. Former Odisha Police DG Sarat Chandra Misra handed over the trophies and cash prizes in the closing function.

AOCA vice-president Ranjan Mohanty and KDCA secretary Subhasis Patnaik  were present on the occasion. The tournament was conducted by Fide arbiters Tapas Kumar Mohanty, Biswanath Banerjee, National arbiters Santosh Mohapatra and Bhabesh Mohanty.

FINAL RANKINGS (Top 10): 1. IM Chakravarthi Reddy M (Telangana, 8), 2. GM Saptarshi Roy Chowdhury (WB, 7.5), 3. Muthaiah Al (Tamil Nadu, 7.5), 4. Ameya Audi (Goa, 7.5), 5. Saravana Krishnan P (Tamil Nadu, 7.5), 6. Bharath Subramaniyam H (Tamil Nadu, 7), 7. IM Suvrajit Saha (WB, 7), 8. Atul Dahale (Maharashtra, 7), 9. J Arun (Tamil Nadu, 7), 10. Bharati Sonkalan (WB, 7).
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PHOTO: Top three prize winners with guest and officials of AOCA and KDCA at the closing function in Bhubaneswar on April 9, 2017.