Harshit Singh wins VKV Rating Open 2023
16-year-old Harshit Singh and GM Himanshu Sharma scored a perfect 6/6 each. The teenager from Uttar Pradesh, Harshit won VKV Rating Open 2023 due to better tie-breaks, the top seed was placed second. Ten players scored 5/6 each. Out of them, Sunny Bedi secured the third place overall. Sahil Bheron was awarded third prize in the Open category. Total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each. Generally we see a classical rating tournament to have anything between eight and eleven rounds. However, we see a unique event comprising six rounds, organized by Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Rishabhdev, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Photo: FA NI Neelesh Kumawat
Harshit's first Rating tournament triumph
Three players were at 5/5 each heading into the final round. GM Himanshu Sharma and Harshit Singh defeated Sunny Bedi and Atul Hingad respectively in the sixth round. Harshit won the tournament due to better tie-breaks. This is also Harshit's first Open tournament victory along with his first Rating tournament first place finish.
The Chief Guest of the inauguration ceremony was - Kuldeep Sharma (ADJ and Secretary DLSA Udaipur) and Special Guest, Praful Zaveri (International Organizer, FIDE Trainer and FIDE Arbiter). Other dignitaries present were - GM Himanshu Sharma (47th Grandmaster of India), Vivek Jhunjhunwala (Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Delhi), Vikas Sahu (International Arbiter and National Instructor), Rajendra Teli (Vice President RCA, International Arbiter and FIDE Instructor), K B Khatod (Executive Officer RSWM, Rishabdev), M S Manilal (Mgt. Committee Member), and FA, NI Neelesh Kumawat (Chief Arbiter).
The Chief Guest at the prize distribution ceremony was Dr. Padmakali Banerjee (Vice-chancellor, Sir Padampat Singhania University, JK Cement Nimbahera Foundation, Former Pro Vice Chancellor-Amity University Haryana). Guest of Honour - Shailendra Somani, (Principal MDS School, Udaipur), Vivek Jhunjhunwala (Sri Aurobindo Ashram - Delhi), Rajendra Teli (Vice President RCA, International Arbiter & FIDE Instructor), Dr. Tushar & Dr. Chauchan (SPSU), M S Manilal (Mgt. Committee Member) and FA NI Neelesh kumawat (Chief Arbiter) were also present.
Thanks to the Chief Arbiter, FA NI Neelesh Kumawat for providing photos and information about the tournament.
A total of 141 players including a GM took part from various states across the country. The tournament was organized by Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Rishabhdev, Udaipur from 2nd to 4th January 2023 at Udaipur, Rajasthan. The six-round Swiss league Rating tournament had a time control of 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
Final standings
| Rk. | SNo | Name | Typ | sex | Gr | FED | Rtg | Club/City | Pts. | TB1 | TB2 | TB3 | |
| 1 | 11 | Harshit Singh | IND | 1620 | Uttar Pradesh | 6 | 22 | 25,5 | 25,50 | ||||
| 2 | 1 | GM | Himanshu Sharma | IND | 2376 | Haryana | 6 | 22 | 23 | 23,00 | |||
| 3 | 8 | Sunny Bedi | IND | 1655 | Rajasthan | 5 | 23 | 25 | 19,00 | ||||
| 4 | 4 | Hitesh S. Jariya | IND | 1717 | Madhya Pradesh | 5 | 23 | 24 | 18,00 | ||||
| 5 | 10 | Sahil Bheron | IND | 1622 | Haryana | 5 | 22 | 23 | 17,00 | ||||
| 6 | 3 | Daksh Goyal | U15 | IND | 1725 | Delhi | 5 | 21 | 24 | 19,00 | |||
| 7 | 15 | Gaurav Sharma | IND | 1509 | Delhi | 5 | 20,5 | 22,5 | 17,50 | ||||
| 8 | 12 | Shrivastav Hritik | IND | 1619 | Madhya Pradesh | 5 | 19,5 | 22,5 | 17,50 | ||||
| 9 | 14 | Akshat Negi | IND | 1606 | Delhi | 5 | 19 | 21 | 17,00 | ||||
| 10 | 32 | Panchal Sahil | IND | 1267 | Madhya Pradesh | 5 | 18 | 20,5 | 16,00 |
