Final Report:National Junior (Under-19) Chess Championship – 2025

The 54th Open and 39th Girls National Junior (Under-19) Chess Championship – 2025  ( Event Code -433843/JH/2025 & 433844/JH/2025) was successfully conducted at the traditional and historic birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Saraikela, Jharkhand, from 16th to 24th December 2025 at Wave International Resort Jamshedpur.

The championship witnessed a total participation of 337 players from 28 States across India. Where in Open Category 212 players participated among them 26 titled players (6 IM, 13 FM, 7 CM) and 190 rated players while in Girls Category 125 players participated among them 24 titled players (1 FM, 8 WFM, 15 WCM) and 109 rated players was there.

The opening ceremony was graced by several eminent dignitaries:Mr. D. B. Sundara Ramam – Vice President -Tata Steel, Ms. Richa Sanchita – Executive President, AJCAMr. Manish Kumar– Joint Secretary, AICF & Secretary, AJCA,Mr. Mukul Vinayak Chaudhari  – Tata Steel Sports Chief & CEO, Jamshedpur FC,Ms. Asha Singhania – Social Worker,Mr. Shambhunath Singh – Patron, SKDCA, Mr. Manoj Kumar– President, SKDCA,Mr.Nand kumar Singh – Patron , SKDCA,Mr. Shailendra kumar – Vice President – SKDCAMr. Binod Singh– Vice President, SKDCA,Mr. Suraj Bhadani –  Patron (Org. Team),Anil Sighania –  Patron (Org. Team),Mr. R. N. Prasad – Patron (Org. Team),Mr. Ambrish Joshi– Chief Arbiter (IA), Mr. Neeraj Kumar Mishra – IM / IA / FT

The ceremonial lamp lighting was performed by the distinguished dignitaries, marking the formal commencement of the championship.
The event was officially inaugurated with the first ceremonial moves played by Chief Guest Mr. D. B. Sundara Ramam (Vice President -Tata Steel) and Guest of honour Ms. Richa Sanchita ( Executive President, AJCA)

The championship witnessed hard-fought games, including several IM and FIDE Master draws, reflecting the high competitive standard of the event. After 11 rounds Under-19 Open Champion 2025 is Master Ethan Vaz of Goa with 10.5 points ( Unbeaten ) and Runner-up is :Mayank Chakraborty of Assam with 9.0 points while Under-19 Girls Champion 2025 is Shubhi Gupta  of Uttar Pradesh with 9.5 points and Runner-up is Nivedita V C of Tamilnadu with  9.0 points

The prizes were awarded  by dignitaries who  spare their valuable time for the closining ceremony of this National u -19.

The Closing ceremony was graced by several eminent dignitaries among them are Mr. Sanjay Seth – Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Arjun Munda – Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and the  Former Minister of Tribal Affairs, Mr. Saryu Roy – Member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly , Mr. Satish Kumar – Treasurer, AJCA , Mr. Shambhunath Singh – Patron, SKDCA,Mr. Manoj Kumar – President, SKDCA and Mr. Ajay Kumar –    Secretary,  SKDCA

Participants were accommodated at the JRD Tata Sports Complex and Agrasen Bhawan , with dedicated transport facilities ensuring timely arrival at the venue and smooth adherence to time controls.

I would like to place on record the excellent arrangements made by the All Jharkhand Chess Association and the Saraikela District Chess Association. The event was conducted in a beautiful and spacious hall with red-carpeted flooring. The organizers also had the privilege of conducting the National Under-19 Championship earlier at the same venue.

Comfortable seating arrangements were provided for parents, along with cookies, snacks, and tea at nominal charges, which was highly appreciated. Special kudos to Mr. Manoj Kumar and Mr. Ajay Kumar, along with their dedicated team and chess enthusiasts, whose commitment played a key role in the smooth and successful conduct of the championship.