From Our Correspondent
AMPATI, Nov 4: The inaugural South West Garo Hills District Chess Championship for 2023 drew to a thrilling close on Saturday at Ampati Degree College.
The event, a collaborative effort between the South West Garo Hills District Chess Association and the District Sports Office, marked a historic milestone as the first-ever chess championship of its kind in the region, attracting over 60 chess enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds.
Spanning two intense days of competition, the championship employed the Swiss league system to tally points, categorizing participants into four distinct divisions: General, Under-10, Under-15, and Veteran.
The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of Mahendraganj MLA Sanjay A Sangma, who was joined by Boldamgre MDC Stevie M Marak and several other esteemed dignitaries. Together, they presented trophies and certificates to the standout winners.
In the General category, Charming R Marak secured the top position with an impressive 7 points and a score of 38.0 out of 48.5. Following closely were Ponkas Marak, with 6 points and a score of 38.0 out of 48.5, and Princestar R Marak, also with 6 points and a score of 32.5 out of 42.0, taking second and third place, respectively.In the Under-10 category, Baiyansrang K Sangma clinched the championship with 5 points and an exceptional score of 32.5 out of 42.0. Chingchaw Ch Marak secured the second position with 4 points and a score of 29.5 out of 37.0, while Sengdo M Sangma claimed the third spot with 4 points and a score of 27.5 out of 36.6.
The Under-15 category witnessed intense competition, with Yunkeychean Marak earning the top spot by amassing 4.5 points and a score of 26.5 out of 33.5. Chongkimbea M Sangma emerged as the second-place winner with 4 points and a score of 33.0 out of 41.5, while Salora T Sangma secured the third place with 4 points and a score of 28.5 out of 36.5.
In the Veteran category, Livingstone A Sangma displayed remarkable prowess, securing the title with 6 points and an impressive score of 32.0 out of 41.0.
The 1st South West Garo Hills District Chess Championship 2023 served as a grand celebration of chess in the region, promoting the sport and recognizing the exceptional talents of participants from all age groups.
The event’s success promises a bright future for chess enthusiasts in the district.