Saptarshi emerges a surprising winner

Mumbai, Apr 30 (UNI) Teenager Saptarshi Roy (9) of West Bengal clinched the Thakur rolling trophy by winning the Thakur International Rating Chess tournament which concluded here today.

Saptarshi, a former National Sub junior Champion from Kolkata trounced the overnight leader Umakant Sharma (8.5 points) of Jharkhand in a thrilling encounter. Saptarshi was richer by Rs 61,000 for the win.

There was a big tie for the 2nd to 8th prizes. International Master R R Laxman proved to be the strongest after the tie breaker and was declared runners-up. Jharkhand duo of Neeraj Mishra and Umakant Sharma were placed third and fourth respectively.

Though teenager Aditya Nargundkar (6.5) won the unrated section, Navin Nawar, a policeman from Mumbai, surprised everybody by tying for the second place in the unrated section and thus qualifying for International rating. The father and son duo of Rajan and Rohan Rajadhyaksha also qualified for the ratings.

Sixty eight year old Zamir Ahmad Khan; a former National 'A' player from UP, won the best veteran prize while International Women Master Bhagyashri Thipsay was the best among, women. P Shyam Nikhil and B Adhiban were the best junior and sub juniors respectively.

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