National U-17 Chess C’ship enters deciding phase

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: The National U-17 Boys and Girls Chess Championship has entered its deciding phase, with a record 286 players from 30 States and UTs, including 38 from J&K, participating. Around 200 arbiters, managers, coaches and accompanying persons are also associated with the championship.

In the girls section, Delhi’s Prishita Gupta leads the standings with 6.5 points after seven rounds. The championship carries a total cash prize of Rs 9 lakh and serves as a selection event for World, Asian and Commonwealth championships.

The top three players will receive sponsorship from the Sports Authority of India for four international tours, including the World Championship, besides Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh sponsorship from the All India Chess Federation.

The event is being conducted under the supervision of Atul Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Planning and Development Commission, All India Chess Federation. The arbiters’ team is led by Jismon Mathew of Kerala, with Arbind Singh of Bihar as Deputy Chief Arbiter, Ovais of Kerala and around 13 other arbiters. The championship is being played under the Swiss system as per FIDE Laws of Chess over 11 rounds.