Shivjayanti Chess Tournament in Nashik: A Celebration of Tradition and Strategy
The Shivjayanti Chess Tournament in Nashik was a perfect mix of tradition and strategy. It brought chess lovers together to celebrate both the game and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The blitz tournament was organized by Genius Chess Academy at City Centre Mall, Nashik. There were a total of 256 participants battling it out in exciting games. Apart from that, there were fun history quizzes as well that added to the charm. With such initiatives, Nashik is becoming a great place for chess enthusiasts to learn and grow. Check out the full report. Photo: Saras Joshi
A Celebration of Tradition and Strategy
On February 19th, celebrated as Shivjayanti across the world, the people of Nashik immersed themselves in an exciting chess tournament. Organized by the Genius Chess Academy at City Center Mall, this event marked the third edition of the tournament. The venue also hosts Nashik’s only chess club, which meets every Wednesday.
The atmosphere was electrifying, with participants and spectators dressed in traditional attire, chanting “Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jay!” as they celebrated the legendary warrior king. Young children dressed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj added to the cultural essence of the event, setting the stage for some intense chess battles.
A Tournament for All
A total of 256 players participated in the tournament, ranging from beginners to seasoned players. It followed a 5+3 blitz format with 9 rounds of rapid chess. The competition featured 44 prizes across multiple categories, including Under-7, Under-9, Under-12, and Under-15, as well as separate prizes for unrated and rated players. A cash prize pool of ₹12,000 was distributed among the rated participants.
The results of this Blitz tournament were as follows:
| Rank | Name | Points | Prize |
| Rated | |||
| 1 | Vivek Watpade | 8 | Rs. 5000 + Trophy |
| 2 | Avishkar Wankhede | 8 | Rs. 3000 + Trophy |
| 3 | Nishant Shinde | 8 | Rs. 2000 + Trophy |
| Unrated | |||
| 1 | Tanishq Mahale | 7.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Arnav Shastri | 7 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Shlok Nerpagar | 6.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-15 Boys | |||
| 1 | Arnav Chaudhari | 7 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Ayush Thombare | 7 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Panchal Ruturaj | 6.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-15 Girls | |||
| 1 | Kashish Sanap | 7.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Divya Kale | 5.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Sharvari Amale | 5.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-12 Boys | |||
| 1 | Rajveer Sanap | 7 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Manav Rathod | 6.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Viyaan Patil | 6 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-12 Girls | |||
| 1 | Ishwari Naik | 6.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Anushree Sarode | 6 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Shivarti Bankar | 5 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-9 Boys | |||
| 1 | Ayansh Todwal | 5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Arjun Tamboli | 5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Ishan Jagtap | 5 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-9 Girls | |||
| 1 | Vedika Jadhav | 3.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Narayani Jadhav | 3 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Ahana Chhatrisa | 2.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-7 Boys | |||
| 1 | Arham Nikam | 6 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Kabir Dalvi | 4.5 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Vallabh Chavan | 4 | Trophy + Gift |
| U-7 Girls | |||
| 1 | Netra Deshpande | 3 | Trophy + Gift |
| 2 | Neerja Jadhav | 3 | Trophy + Gift |
| 3 | Kaushiki Menon | 3 | Trophy + Gift |
More Than Just Chess
Beyond the thrilling matches, the event also featured quiz sessions about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s life, engaging participants in both history and strategy. To enhance the experience further, snacks were distributed among the players, adding a touch of warmth to an already festive occasion.
The Vision Behind the Event
This remarkable tournament was organized by Mr. Onkar Jadhav, the founder of Genius Chess Academy and a national-level chess coach. Dedicated to promoting chess in Nashik, he has also established a weekly chess club at City Center Mall, held every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The club is completely free and open to everyone, providing an excellent opportunity for chess enthusiasts to learn and improve their game.
The Shivjayanti Chess Tournament was a perfect blend of tradition and intellect, celebrating both the legend of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the beauty of chess. With such initiatives, Nashik is steadily growing into a hub for chess lovers, fostering a new generation of strategic thinkers.