Yogendra Srivastava of Bihar was crowned champion in the 24th Makhanlal Halder Memorial All-India Open Chess Tournament, which was organised by Puri District Chess Association (PDCA), under the aegis of Odisha State Chess Association (OSCA) at Durgabaadi Samiti in Puri from June 16 to 18, 2017.

Yogendra scored eight points out of a possible nine to take home the top prize of Rs 10,000. Local player Bira Kishore Behera finished runner-up also with eight points and he received Rs 8,000. A total of 136 players from Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar participated in this tournament, which offered a total cash prize of Rs 50,000.

Odisha Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty was the chief guest of the prize-distribution ceremony. PDCA president Dr Kumar Halder, secretary Bimal Prasad Mohanty and OSCA vice-president Arati Bijoy Mohanty were present on the occasion.

FINAL PLACINGS (Top 10): 1. Yogendra Srivastava (Bihar, 8 pts), 2. Bira Kishore Behera (Odisha, 8), 3. Prabhat Kumar Ojha (Odisha, 7), 4. Amit Mohanty (Odisha, 7), 5. Bijay Kumar Dash (Odisha, 7), 6. Amarendra Khamari (Odisha, 7), 7. Ajay Kumar Mohanty (Odisha, 7), 8. Pratyush Pradhan (Odisha, 6.5), 9. Pradeep Kumar Das (Odisha, 6.5), 10. Natabara Das (Odisha, 6.5).
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PHOTO: Prize winners with guests and organising officials in Puri on June 18, 2017.