Final Report :National Sub-junior (Under 15) Chess Championships 2025

IM Goutham Krishna of Kerala and WFM Arshiya Das of Tripura won the 50^th National Sub-Junior Open & 41^st National Sub-Junior Girls Chess Championships 2025 respectively, which was held at HRIT University, Ghaziabad from 2^nd November to 10^th November 2025. The tournament, organized by UP Chess Sports Association & HRIT University, Ghaziabad, featured a total prize money of Rs.9, 00, 000/- which was equally divided into 20 prizes each for open & girls categories.

The event was inaugurated by Mr.Abhinav Gopal, CDO, Ghaziabad, in the presence of Mr.A K Raizada, Vice President, AICF, Ms. Madhu Awasthi, DSO, Ghaziabad, Mr.Atul Nigam, Organising Secretary Mr.Anand Singh and IA Ganesh Babu S, Chief Arbiter.

In the 50^th National Sub-Junior Open & 41^st Natiopnal Sub-Junior Girls Chess Championships, a total of 364 players in the open & 158 players in the girls from 28 states & 2 union territories participated in this eleven round swiss format tournament. 325 players in the open section & 123 players in the girls section were internationally rated including 1 International Master, 4 FIDE Masters, 12 Candidate Masters & 4 Women FIDE Masters. The top Seeded players were IM Goutham Krishna (2425) from Kerala and WFM Arshiya Das (2180) from Tripura.

The tournament began smoothly for the top seeds. Rated favorites — IM Krishna H Goutham, FM Aakash G, FM Jain Rosh, FM Vivaan Vishal Shah, and FM Viresh Sharnarthi, all notched convincing wins. In the round 2, 6^th seeded CM Nimay Agarwal and 9^th seeded Mitul K H lost to Lakshit Pusri and Shakya Singha Modak respectively.

The field began to spread. IM Krishna H Goutham and FM Jain Rosh continued to dominate with 3/3, though some draws on other top boards showed early signs of tight competition. Eight players were in the lead with full 4 points at the end of round4. Round 4 of the National Sub-Junior Open Chess Championship 2025 witnessed a major upset when Debayan Ray (Elo 2041) defeated Vivaan Vishal Shah (Elo 2331), one of the tournament’s top seeds, in a sharp and highly tactical encounter.

Pressure mounted as leaders faced each other on the top boards. Three players Goutham Krishna of Kerala, Sherla Prathamesh and Gaikwad Manas of Maharashtra jointly lead with 5.0 points at the end of fifth round. The game between the overnight joint leaders, IM Goutham Krishna and CM Sherla Prathamesh, ended in a tense draw, while the other leader, Gaikwad Manas, was defeated by FM Aakash G. This result has left a five-way tie for the lead, with each player holding 5½ points at the conclusion of the sixth round.

Critical battles defined Round 7. The top boards saw tightly contested games, Top seed Goutham Krishna H scored a commanding victory over Aakash G, strengthening his position among the tournament leaders, while Rosh Jain scored a victory over Sherla Prathamesh. With the conclusion of the 8th round, the tournament leaderboard sees Rosh Jain emerge as the sole leaders with 7.5 points, underscoring the high level of competition and the intense battles witnessed across the boards.

Round 9 of the Open section showcased thrilling clashes and decisive victories. FM Sharnarthi Viresh (Maharashtra) extended his lead with a hard-fought win over FM Rosh Jain (Delhi), pushing his score to 8 points. IM Goutham Krishna H (Kerala) and FM Vivaan Vishal Shah (Gujarat) also secured crucial wins, both reaching 7.5 points. Maharashtra’s CM Advik Amit Agrawal maintained his strong form by defeating Arnav Mahesh Koli, adding to his 7.5 points.

On the top board, FM Vivaan Vishal Shah (2331, Gujarat) edged out FM Sharnarthi Viresh (2318, Maharashtra) in a tense encounter to move into clear contention with 8½ points. Meanwhile, FM Rosh Jain (2363, Delhi) showcased fine attacking play to defeat CM Advik Amit Agrawal (2052, Maharashtra), also reaching 8½ points and keeping pace at the summit. In another key game, IM Goutham Krishna H (2425, Kerala) continued his strong form with a commanding victory over Arnav Agrawal (2221, Uttar Pradesh), joining the joint leaders on 8½ points.

In the girls section, Top seeds began strongly; Arshiya Das, Deekshitha Modipalli, and Nivedita V C all won comfortably, except for a surprise result on Board 4, the fourth seeded Saparya Ghosh of West Bengal suffered an unexpected defeat against Balani Manya of Gujarat. However, upsets continued in the second round as well, the second seeded Modipalli Deekshitha held to a draw by Thanshika, while on the third board highly rated V C Nivedita lost to Mugdha Keot, marking another major surprise of the early rounds.

Round 3, on the top board, WFM Arshiya Das (Tripura, 2180) was held to a fighting draw by Anandhi P (Karnataka, 1768). Despite the rating difference, Anandhi defended resourcefully to split the point in an impressive performance. On Board 2, WCM Pratitee Bordoloi (Karnataka, 2006) showcased her class, scoring a convincing victory over Taneesha Drolia (Chhattisgarh, 1778). Similarly, WCM Shanmathi Sree S (Tamil Nadu, 1975) outplayed Vidhi Angelina (Uttar Pradesh, 1749) to secure a full point.

Five players were in the lead with 4.0 points at the end of 4^th round. WCM Pratitee Bordoloi (2006) continued her dominant run, defeating Sasi Hasini Chintala (1816) in a commanding performance. WCM Shanmathi Sree S (1975) of Tamil Nadu overcame Archita Agrawal (1799). Shanmathi’s aggressive playstyle paid dividends as she secured a smooth victory to join the leaders with 4 points

Three players Pratitee Bordoloi of Karnataka, Shanmathi shree of Tamil Nadu and Pratyasha Jena of Odisha jointly lead with 5.0 points at the end of fifth round. Pratitee Bordoloi scored an impressive win against Aaradhya Das, while Shanmathi Sree S showcased her resilience defeating Vaishnavi S K after a tense middlegame struggle, Pratyasha Jena outplayed higher-rated Shivamshika G in a thrilling tactical battle to join the leaders.

In the round 6, In the top board clash, Pratyasha Jena of Odisha and Pratitee Bordoloi of Karnataka battled to a balanced draw, maintaining their unbeaten runs with a share of the point. Tamil Nadu’s Shanmathi Sree Suffered a narrow defeat against Andhra Pradesh’s Sravyasree Bheemarasetty in a closely contested encounter, reflecting the growing strength of the Andhra contingent. Tripura’s WFM Arshiya Das, despite a slightly lower rating than her opponent Modipalli Deekshitha of Andhra Pradesh, demonstrated superior technique to clinch a vital win and boost her championship hopes.

Arshiya das became the sole leader in the round 7 with 6.5 points as Arshiya Das clinched a brilliant victory over Pratitee Bordoloi in a tense endgame battle, whereas the game between the other leaders, A well-contested strategic battle between Sravyasree Bheemarasetty and Pratyasha Jena, ending in a hard-fought draw.

In the round 8, Arshiya Das maintained her lead by defeating Pratyasha Jena with 7.5 points. Despite Pratyasha’s efforts to generate counterplay on the kingside, Arshiya maintained control, exploiting tactical opportunities and eventually forcing her opponent into a losing position. In a tense endgame encounter, Sravyasree Bheemarasetty emerged victorious over Saparya Ghosh, demonstrating excellent endgame technique and precise calculation who is on the second spot with 7.0 points.

The nineth round saw some impressive performances. WFM Arshiya Das from Tripura secured a critical win over Sravyasree Bheemarasetty of Andhra Pradesh, increasing her tally to 8½ points. WCM Akshaya Sathi (Karnataka) continued her winning streak by defeating Tamil Nadu’s Shanmathi Sree S moved to second spot with 7.5points, while Karnataka’s WCM Pratitee Bordoloi overcame Haryana’s Vitasta Koul in a hard-fought match sits on third spot with 7.0 points.

WFM Arshiya Das (2180, Tripura) dominated the top board, defeating WCM Akshaya Sathi (1910, Karnataka) and clinched the title with one round to spare. On the second board, WCM Pratitee Bordoloi (2006, Karnataka) edged past Aishani Pathak (1773, Uttar Pradesh) to reach the second spot with 8.0 points. In other key clashes, Bajaj Shraddha (1754, Maharashtra) and Sravyasree Bheemarasetty (1990, Andhra Pradesh) fought to a draw, while Shanmathi Sree S (1975, Tamil Nadu) defeated Mugdha Keot (1680, Assam).

Prizes were distributed by the Chief Guest Dr.Anil Agarwal, Chairman HRIT. Other guests were on the dais were Dr.Anuj Aggarwal, Pro VC, HRIT, Mr.A K Verma, Head of Operations, AICF, Mr.A K Raizada, Vice President, AICF, Ms. Madhu Awasthi, DSO, Ghaziabad, Mr.Ayush Sighal, President, Hapur Chess Association, Mr.Atul Nigam, Organising Secretary, and IA,FI S Ganesh Babu, Chief Arbiter.