International master (IM) Rajesh VAV of Tamil Nadu won the Late Bharatbai Halkude memorial first all-India open Fédération Internationale des Échecs (Fide) rating chess tournament, at Ganesh Kala Krida Hall, Swargate, on Thursday.
The player, rated 2,316, garnered nine points from 11 rounds, with a clear lead over second-placed grand master (GM) Saptarshi Roy Chouwdhury.
Rajesh won ₹65,000, along with a trophy, while Saptarshi of West Bengal received ₹40,000, along with a trophy. International master Vikramaditya Kulkarni also scored 8.5 points to level with GM Saptarshi. However, the Kolkata player was declared runners-up on the basis of progressive points.
Pune player and Fide master Sohan Phadake also tied on second place with 8.5 points, but he eventually slipped to fourth place and received ₹20,000 for his efforts.
Another emerging city player, Gaurav Zagade, who impressed everyone by beating three international masters in a row during the tournament and made it to the top of leader board once, found himself in the ninth place. He managed to score 7.5 points and received ₹8,000.
Among unrated players, Arpit Pandey displayed an impressive performance and scored 5.5 points. He received a special prize of ₹9,000 and a trophy. He was followed by another Maharashtra player, Anay Uplenchwar, who also scored 5.5 points, while Pratap Ranjith of Tamil Nadu finished third.
{{/usCountry}}Among unrated players, Arpit Pandey displayed an impressive performance and scored 5.5 points. He received a special prize of ₹9,000 and a trophy. He was followed by another Maharashtra player, Anay Uplenchwar, who also scored 5.5 points, while Pratap Ranjith of Tamil Nadu finished third.
{{/usCountry}}Women candidate master, Gunjal Chopadekar, won the best prize in the women’s category. The Goa girl scored seven points and won ₹4,000 and a trophy.