Final Report:37th National Under-9 Open and Girls Chess Championship 2024.

Dates: December 27, 2024, to January 2, 2025.

Venue: Boxing Hall, Shri Shiv Chatrapati Sports Complex Balewadi Stadium, Pune, Maharashtra

The 37th National Under-9 Open and Girls Chess Championship was a significant event in India’s chess calendar. It took place in the historic city of Pune at the prestigious Boxing Hall of Balewadi Stadium, not only celebrating the talent of young chess players but also showcasing Pune as a hub for sports and culture. The championship saw the participation of 570 players from 28 states, making it a truly national spectacle. In the Open category, 364 players competed, with defending champion Advik Amit Agrawal from Maharashtra as the top seeded player. In the Girls category, 206 players competed, with Divi Bijesh, the 37th Under 11 National Girls Champion, as the top seeded player. The event was organized by the dynamic Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA), known for their ability to host large-scale chess tournaments in a grand and professional manner.

The championship was inaugurated on December 27, 2024 at 9:00 AM, attended by illustrious personalities. The Chief Guest was Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, India’s pride and world no. 23, India no. 5, Maharashtra’s no. 1, a gold medalist in the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad (Budapest), and 2023 FIDE Grand Swiss Winner. The Guest of Honor was Grandmaster Abhimanyu Puranik, world no. 86, India no. 11, Maharashtra’s no. 3, and World Junior Silver Medalist. Also in attendance were Mr. Siddharth Mayur, Chairman of H2e Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. and Working President of MCA; Mr. Niranjan Godbole, Hon. Secretary of MCA and Tournament Director; Mr. Vilas Mhatre, Treasurer of MCA; and Mr. Prakash Kunte, Vice President of Pune District Chess Circle. Both Grandmasters delivered inspiring speeches, motivating the young players to excel in the championship and pursue their dreams of representing India on the global stage. 

The championship was played in a Swiss-system format, with 11 rounds. A Prize Pool of ₹2,50,000 was allocated for each category, totaling ₹5,00,000. The top two players from each category will represent India in upcoming World and Continental events.

The young talents displayed exceptional skills, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination. The event fostered a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship while providing invaluable experience to participants.

This event not only highlighted India’s growing chess potential, but also inspired the next generation of players to aim for international excellence. The tournament was a perfect blend of competitive chess and the celebration of young talent, leaving an indelible mark on all attendees.

After the eighth round in the Girls Section, three players were tied at 7 points each: Divi Bijesh from Kerala, Kiyanna Parihaar from Rajasthan, and Radhya Malhotra from Punjab. In the ninth round, Kiyanna Parihaar from Rajasthan won her game against Hariprana B from Tamil Nadu, securing her position as the leader and maintaining a half-point lead until the final round. In the end, Kiyanna defeated Aashvi Singh of Gujarat, clinching the title of Under-9 Girl National Champion.

 In the Open Section, Aarit Kapil from Delhi emerged as the leader in Round 8 and maintained his lead until the last round. However, his game ended in a draw, resulting in a final score of 9.5 points. He was tied with Nidhish Shyamal from Telangana, who also scored 9.5 points after winning his game in the last round. Ultimately, Nidhish Shyamal from Telangana clinched the Under-9 National Title with a better tie break, while Aarit Kapil settled for 1st Runner Up.

The prize distribution function was attended by esteemed guests, including Mr. Nitin Narang, President of the All-India Chess Federation, Major Dhyanchand awardee Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte, Mr. Siddharth Mayur, working President of the Maharashtra Chess Association, Mr. Manish Kumar, Joint Secretary of the All-India Chess Federation, Mr. Hemant Vandekar, Head of Initiatives at Sakal Media Group, Mr. Niranjan Godbole, Honorary Secretary of the MCA, and  Mr. Vilas Mhatre, Treasurer of the MCA.  These distinguished individuals presented prizes to the tournament winners.