STRONG START FOR INDIA AT THE WORLD JUNIOR CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 IN MEXICO

The World Junior Chess Championship commenced in Mexico City, Mexico on the 21st of September. 7 players are representing India in the Girls and Open sections of the tournament that has witnessed a participation of 230 players from more than 55 countries. The tournament is being held at Hotel Del Prado and consists of 11 rounds, with the last round on October 1st, 2023.

WGM Rakshitta Ravi (4th seed) is the top Indian girl while GM Pranav Anand (11th seed) leads the open section. Along with Pranav and Rakshitta, IM Harshavardhan G B, IM Dushyant Sharma, Vignesh B, WIM Bommini Mounika Akshaya, and Amulya Guruprasad are representing the Indian delegation in the event. IM Krishna CRG and WIM Tarini Goyal are the coaches for Indian Open and Girls teams respectively.

Earlier this month, India hosted the Asian Junior Chess Championship where WIM Mounika won the bronze medal.

Left to Right: IM Krishna CRG, Vignesh B, GM Pranav Anand, IM Harshavardhan GB, IM Dushyant Sharma, WIM Rakshitta Ravi, WIM Bommini Mounika Akshaya, Amulya Guruprasad, WIM Tarini Goyal

The players started strong in the first round of the tournament, with a perfect score in the Open section (4/4). GM Pranav Anand (2509) won against Garduno Huerta Joshua Emiliano (1970) from Mexico, IM Harshavardhan GB (2397) won with Black pieces against Pantaleon Salmoran Vladimir (1614), IM Dushyant Sharma (2339) won with Black pieces against Barrios Cruz Mario Antonio (1463) and Vignesh B (2173) won with unrated Mexican Holguin Vallejo Antonio.

In the girls section, WGM Rakshitta Ravi (2272) won against Daniela Maria (1798) from Mexico and WIM Mounika Akshaya (2096) won against Isabela Carrascal (1708) from Columbia. Amulya Guruprasad (1633) lost to a higher rated opponent, Jana Sosovickova (2045) from Slovakia.

The Indian team experienced no upsets in the first round and continues to maintain its ground despite battling visa issues and traveling for more than 35 hours to Mexico!

Round 2 will see some tough pairings already with GM Pranav Anand taking on IM Dushyant Sharma, IM Harshavardhan will play 3rd seeded GM Nesterov, Arseniy and Vignesh B will play French IM Boyer Mahel.

In the girls section, WGM Rakshita will be playing WIM Diaz Charpentier, Kristel Meliss (1951), WIM Mounika will play Panataleon Salmoran, Atzin Yaret (1347) and Amulya will be playing higher rated Hernandez Diaz, Paula Sofia (1796).