Leading Odisha player Utkal Ranjan Sahoo emerged champion in the 1st KT Global All India Open FIDE Rated Chess Tournament, which concluded at KT Global School, Barunei, Khordha today. As many as four players tied for the title, scoring 7.5 points each from nine rounds.

However, Utkal claimed the title on the basis of Buchholz tie-break score, while his State-mate Nilsu Pattnayak finished runner-up. The champion and the runner-up received cash prizes of Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively.

The five-day tournament, featuring 190 players from 10 states, was organised by IIG Sports Academy and KT Global School, in association with All Odisha Chess Association (AOCA), under the aegis of All India Chess Federation and with the support of Khordha District Chess Association.

Subhranshu Mishra, Joint-Secretary, Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha, graced the valedictory ceremony as chief guest. AOCA Secretary Debabrata Bhatta, KT Global School Principal Dr Deep Khare and former Odisha cricket captain Pravanjan Mullick were present on the occasion.

FINAL STANDINGS (Top 10): 1. Utkal Ranjan Sahoo, Odisha (7.5), 2. Nilsu Pattnayak, Odisha (7.5), 3. Alekhya Mukhopadhyay, WB (7.5), 4. Arpan Das, WB (7.5), 5. Koustuv Dash, Odisha (7), 6. Tapan Badamundi, Odisha (7), 7. Priansh Das, Odisha (7), 8. Sajan Kumar Nayak, Odisha (7), 9. Stitaprangya Sahoo, Odisha (7), 10. Aritrya Pal, WB (7).
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PHOTO: Champion Utkal Ranjan Sahoo and runner-up Nilsu Pattnayak pose with guests and organising offials at the presentation ceremony in Barunei, Khordha on 25 April 2023.