Navin Kanna emerges National Youth (U-25) Champion

Navin Kanna emerges National Youth (U-25) Champion
By R.R.Vasudevan

International Master Navin Kanna, with 7.0 points from nine rounds, emerged the National Youth (Under 25) Champion after the ninth and final round of the Dhanalakshmi College of Engg 23rd National Youth (Under 25) Chess Championship at Dhanalakshmi College premises, at Chennai here today.

In a four way tie for the top spot, Navin (7.0), with a superior tie-break, edged out top seed Shyam Nikil P, Ganesh Babu S and Saravana Krishnan P respectively. Navin won the cash award of Rs.22000 along with the trophy.

Shyam Nikil settled for the runner-up place, while Ganesh Babu S finished third, sharing the podium, winning the cash prize of Rs 17000 & Rs 14000 each.

In crucial top board game, Navin Kanna held Ganesh Babu to a draw in 29 moves. The draw enable top seed GM Norm holder Shyam Nikil to catch the leaders with a comfortable win over Vinayak Kulkarni.

In the second board, Saravana Krishnan stunned second seed International Master Rajesh VAV with white pieces. The win propelled Saravana Krishnan to the top of the table with 7.0 points.

In a colorful prize function Dr. V. P. Ramamurthi, Founder & Chairman, Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering, presided over as the Chief Guest, while Shri D.K. Srinivasan, Founder Hon. Secretary, Hindu Mission Hospital & President- Kanchi District Chess Association distributed the prizes in the presence of Shri D V Sundar, Vice President, FIDE (World Chess Federation) & Shri V Hariharan, Hon Secy, All India Chess Federation.

Final Placings : 1-4 Navin Kanna T U, Shyam Nikil P, Ganesh Babu S, Saravana Krishnan P (all TN) 7.0, 5-7 Kumaran B, Nitin S (both TN), Krishna Teja N (AP) 6.5, 8-10 Rajesh VAV (TN), Hemant Sharma (Del), Sai Vishwesh C (TN) 6 pts