MPL 31st National Under-18 (Open & Girls) CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS – 2022

MPL 31^st National  U-18 (Open & Girls) Chess Championship 2022  held at Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering & Technology, Pollachi, Tamilnadu from 18-23 April 2022 in a grand manner. Dr. M Manickam, President TNSCA & Chairman, MCET, Pollachi, GM R.B. Ramesh, Mr. P. Stephen Balasamy, General Secretary, TNSCA & GM Shyam Sundar of Tamilnadu were present in  the Inauguration Ceremony. Mr. M Manickam & GM R.B. Ramesh Make inaugural move in the chess board and declare the tournament open.

Total 234 players participated from 22 states of the countries, 140 Players including 3 IMs in Open section   and 94 players in Girls Section have participated in the National U-18 Chess championship 2022.

In the first round all seeded players won smoothly but in 2^nd round Keerthi Ganta  lost to Sevitha Viju M both are of Telengana.Most miserable moment in the event in Girls section Top seed L Jyothsna of Tamilnadu withdrawn from event due to health condition in 6^th round.

In the girls section WFM Bhagyashree Patil sailed her journey very smooth till 6^th round.

In the 7^th round GM elect Bharath Subramaniyam H lost to IM L R Srihari on 1^st board where as Soham Kamotra of J&K beat Avinash Ramesh of TN.

At the end of 10^th round in open  section Soham Kamotra of J&K clear .5 point ahead of his nearest rival IM L Srihari of TN. In the girls section Bhagyashree Patil of Maharastra secured his Championship Title 2 rounds before. Clear 1.5 points ahead of her nearest rival V Rindhiya of TN. Rindhiya V and Kanishka S both of TN placed 2^nd & third and richer by Rs. 70000/- & Rs. 58000/- respectively.

In the Open Section Srihari L R & Ilamparthi A R both from TN placed 2^nd & 3^rd and richer by Rs. 70000/- & Rs. 58000/- respectively.

The tournament was played under swiss system format with 11 rounds.  International chess set was used and digital chess clocks in every board.                        .

Soham Kamotra of J&K became Champion and bagged the same amount. He is the first ever from J&K who bagged the championship Title in respect of any National Chess Event.

The tournament was going on smoothly throughout all the rounds . Hall was beautiful, airy spacius and sufficient space for the palyers. There were no disputes/protests placed before the Appeals’ Committee. All deputy Arbiters, volunteers and all supporting staff were worked hard during the whole period of the  tournament. The Organisers provided free food & lodging to all participants & also guardians/Parents.

It may be mentioned here the organiser i.e. Coimbatore District Chess Association deserves to organise any National/ International Chess Event in every year.

In the  prize distribution  ceremony  Dr. M Manickam, President TNSCA & Chairman, MCET, Pollachi, Mr. N. Jayapal, President, CDCA & Dr. Rathinavelu, Prncipal, Dr.MCET, Pollachi & Mr. R Anantharam, VP- TNSCA  gave away the prize to the prize winners.