Rajesh Nayak of Puri justified his status as the top seed by winning the title in the Odisha State Under-25 Chess Championship, which was organised by Khordha District Chess Association (KDCA), under the aegis of All Odisha Chess Association (AOCA) at Raj Mandap, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar from August 3 to 5, 2018.

Nayak, who is also the reigning state senior men’s champion, scored 6.5 points out of a possible seven to add another feather to his cap. Rakesh Kumar Nayak finished runner-up with six points, while Susobhit Das and Baivab Mishra occupied the third and fourth positions respectively.

A total of 86 players from 10 different districts, including 21 women, participated in the three-day state championship. Bhubaneswar North MLA Priyadarshi Mishra handed over the trophies at the closing ceremony.

KDCA secretary Subhasis Patnaik, AOCA vice-president Ranjan Mohanty and chief arbiter Tapas Kumar Mohanty were present on the occasion. Top four finishers qualified to represent Odisha in the National U-25 Chess Championship, scheduled to be held at Bhopal (MP) from August 21 to 27, 2018.

FINAL PLACINGS (Top 15): 1. Rajesh Nayak (6.5), 2. Rakesh Kumar Nayak (6), 3. Susobhit Das (6), 4. Baivab Mishra (5.5), 5. Smaraki Mohanty (5.5), 6. Manish Kumar (5), 7. Bastab Brajesh Bhoi (5), 8. Harshit Ranjan Sahu (5), 9. Lochan Kumar Das (5), 10. Saswat Mallick (5), 11. Rudranarayan (5), 12. Priansh Das (5), 13. Sovna Sonali Jena (5), 14. Aryan Mohapatra (5), 15. Krushna Mishra (5).
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PHOTO: Top four finishers with guest and organising officials at the trophy presentation ceremony of the Odisha State Under-25 Chess Championship in Bhubaneswar on August 5, 2018.