Priyanka wins the biggest Smart Girl All India open

by Shahid Ahmed - 26/10/2019

Thirteenth seeded Priyanka Bhatt of Uttar Pradesh scored 7.0/9 and won the biggest Smart Girl All India open at Ernakulam, Kerala. Three other players also finished at the same score, due to a better tie-break score, Priyanka clinched the championship. Kerala's budding talent, multiple State champion and former Commonwealth under-10 Gold medalist, Anupam M Sreekumar scored an unbeaten 7.0/9 and she secured the runner-up position. Total ₹110000 prize fund was distributed among the prize winners, making it the biggest Smart All India open organized till date. Cognizance Chess Academy organized the tournament at Ernakulam, Kerala from 19th - 23rd October 2019. Photo: FA Subha Rakesh

Local talent Anupam Sreekumar shines

Starting out as the thirteenth seed, Priyanka Bhatt of Uttar Pradesh scored 7.0/9 to win the tournament. Despite losing the fifth round to Harsha R of Tamil Nadu, Priyanka remained in the title hunt. She started last round a half point behind the sole leader, she won her game and everything else worked out in her favor to become the champion of the tournament.

Priyanka Bhatt receives her champion's trophy and ₹20000 cash | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Priyanka gained 58 Elo rating points for her efforts

Kerala State under-11, 13, 15 and 17 girls champion, former Commonwealth under-10 Gold medalist Anupam M Sreekumar also scored 7.0/9, remained unbeaten. Due to her lower tie-break score, she had to settle for the runner-up position.

Runner-up Anupam M Sreekumar receives her trophy and 15000 cash | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Anupam's unbeaten run at the tournament

Guests at the inauguration ceremony | Photo: Subha Rakesh

The five-day event was inaugurated by Chief Guest Ms. Madhavikutty IAS, Assistant Collector, Ernakulam. It was presided by Subha Rakesh, FIDE Arbiter, President of Ernakulam Chess Association & Organising Secretary, Cognizance Chess Academy. Welcome speech was delivered by Sibin Raghavan and felicitated by Mr. Adv. Sreenijin P V, President Ernakulam Sports Council and Sri Kurian, Operations Manager, Fragomen India and Mr. Abdul Azeez, Chairman Blue Ocean Academy, Dubai and Mr. Kannan, Chairman, State Chess in School. Vote of thanks was given by Mr. Arunbose Vs, Secretary, Ernakulam Chess Association.

Inaugural move is made by Chief Guest Ms. Madhavikutty | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Trophies for all prize winners | Photo: Subha Rakesh

The tournament hall | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Top boards in action | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Open tournament means anyone can anyone | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Oldest and youngest prize winners | Photo: Subha Rakesh

A 59-year-old debut

by FA Subha Rakesh

The Eldest player of the event was 59-year-old Ms. Sulekha A D and the youngest player of the event is 6-year-old Kayalvizhi Kamesh. The main highlight of the event is the participation of Sulekha, a retired nursing assistant who took the courage to move out of her comfort zone and come and play a FIDE rated tournament for the first time in her life. She scored 2 points in the event and was very happy to participate. I am very happy that our tournament could awake the sleeping talent of a woman of this age. She used to play in her early days and has a passion for it, but she could not pursue it further. She was at the verge of tears when she was awarded the trophy for the eldest player. She thanked me many times for changing her life and giving a new phase of her life. She also promised to play in all possible tournaments in future. Sulekha is also motivated to organize tournaments in her locality to include more players who are not in to the main stream and requested our help for organizing events.

Players, parents and accompanying persons at the prize distribution ceremony | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Depy. Chief Arbiter FA Subha Rakesh and Chief Arbiter IA Dr. M S Govindankutty | Photo: Subha Rakesh

Total 68 players participated from six different states - Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, across the nation including 31 rated players. Total ₹110000 prize fund was distributed among the prize winners, making it the biggest Smart Girl All India Open ever organized till date. The tournament was organized by Cognizance Chess Academy at Hotel Mermaid, Ernakulam in Kerala from 19th - 23rd October 2019.

Final Standings

Rk.	SNo	Name	FED	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	13	Priyanka Bhatt	IND	1315	UP	7,0	0,0	50,5	54,5
2	2	Anupam M Sreekumar	IND	1637	KER	7,0	0,0	50,0	52,0
3	3	Divyabharathi Masanam	IND	1636	TN	7,0	0,0	47,5	51,5
4	7	Prasiddhi Bhat	IND	1397	KAR	7,0	0,0	45,0	49,5
5	1	Meenu Rajendran	IND	1873	KER	6,5	0,0	47,5	51,5
6	9	Tejaswi R	IND	1353	TN	6,5	0,0	46,0	47,0
7	4	Pragnya H G	IND	1545	TN	6,5	0,0	44,5	48,0
8	10	Harshini A	IND	1345	KAR	6,5	0,0	43,5	47,5
9	5	Harsha R	IND	1437	TN	6,0	0,0	51,0	52,5
10	15	Cuba Punitha Vilvam	IND	1258	TN	6,0	0,0	48,5	51,5

Complete standings

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