Umang Kaisary wins M. F. Pinto Memorial Open Chess in Moira

(Report prepared by GSCA Vice President Augusto Pinto)

Scoring 7 points from 7 rounds, 13 year old Sharada Mandir student Umang Kaisary proved that in Goan chess nobody can take anything for granted as he swept past all opposition to emerge champion at the M. F. Pinto Memorial open chess tournament organised by Associacao Academica de Moira. State champion Anurag Mhamal (6) took 2nd spot, the experienced Vasant Naik ( 5.5) was third, while State no.2 Shubham Pinge (5 ) was relegated to 4th spot on better progressive tie-break score. The 5th prize went to Arvind Mhamal (5) who edged out Wilson Cruz on better cut progressive tie-break score.

Others to get consolation prizes included Nandini Saripalli (Best 15 player); Rishabh Naik - (Best under-11); Shravan Barve (Best unrated boy) Varshitha Reddy (Best unrated girl) and Gajanan Haldankar (Best Moira player). The tournament was played using a combination of Lightning and Blitz formats, and the playing field had a total of 15 rated players.

The inform Umang defeated Shubham Pinge in the 4th round after sacrificing a piece in a French opening game. Shubham blundered by accepting it as it soon led to a back rank mate.

In the 5th round he met Anurag, and played aggressively against the Sicilian Rossolimo opening with black pieces. In the endgame that resulted, Umang's Bishop proved better than Anu's Knight and he forced the State Champion's resignation when his King got cornered.Although he was champion with a round to spare, he still went all out to defeat Arvind Mhamal in the last round.

The prizes were distributed by former President of GSCA , Adv. S. S. Rao who spoke of how chess players benefitted academically.Also present were GSCA officials Suhas Asnodkar, (Secretary); Sachin Arolkar (Treasurer); Arvind Mhamal (Jt. Sec.); Augusto Pinto (Acting Secy);and arbiters Tanay Kaisare and Shrikant Barve.