The Classical leg of the Asian Youth Chess Championship-2018 had begun at Chiang Mai, Thailand. More than 90 youngsters are representing Indian in the six age-category Asian Meet being played in all the three – Rapid, Classical and Blitz formats. Adireddy Arjun (U-08) and CM Gukesh D (U-12) are leading with commendable 5.0/5 points respectively.
After five rounds of play, Indians are eyeing for a podium finish in the higher age-group categories. FM Mitraba Guha is on 3.5 points in Open U-18, WIM Askansha Hagawane and WFM Arpita Mukherjee from India are with 4.5 and 4 points respectively in Girls U-18
Four players including two Indians, Koustav Chatterjee and Vatsal Singhania are jointly leading in Open U-16 with 4 points. Also in Girls U-16, five players are sharing the lead with 4 points. Makhija Aashna, Sanskriti Goyal and WFM Salonika Saina scored 4 points apiece.
The leaders in Open U-14, but on 4.5/5, are CM Kushagra Mohan, FM Raja Ritvik and CM Rohith Krishna S. Jain Nityata and WCM Jyothsna L are trailing behind the leaders with 4 points in Girls U-14.
In the lower age-group categories, CM Gukesh D is dominating the field with perfect 5.0/5 points in Open U-12. Savitha Shri B, Velpola Sarayu and Boramanikar Tanisha S with 4 points are closely trailing behind the leader WCM Nguyen Le Cam Hien from Vietnam in Girls U-12. Kadam Om Maish from India, Lie Mide of China and Dang Anh Minh with 4.5 points are leading in Open U-10. Rajanya Datta is in joint second position in Girls U-10.
Adireddy Arjun is on perfect 5.0/5 points in Open U-8. Arshiya Das and Shreya G Hipparagi are in joint second position with 4 points in Girls U-8.