Young Ishwam Khwatra won the Jammu District Open Chess Championship which was organized by Jammu District Chess Association at Hotel Nek, here today.

Ishwam presented a cash prize of Rs 3,000 and medal by former president of the All J&K Chess Association (AJKCA), Baldev Raj in the presence of participants and parents.

Second place went to Soumya Mahajan (Rs 1500) while Ishaan Choudhary (Rs 1,000) finished third. Surinder Gupta bagged gold in under-19 category.

In under-17 age group, Lakshay Choudhary secured first place while Arush and Avni were second and third respectively. The under-15 gold went to Aahana Gupta, followed by Anurag and Rithvik at second and third position respectively. In under-13, Ayaan Dev was winner, followed by Aadvik and Rananjay at second and third place respectively.

The under-11 gold won by Rajyawardhan Singh while Viraj and Keshav declared second and third respectively.  In under-nine age group, Rushank was winner while  Shivyaan and Manveer were at second and third spot respectively.

In total, 44 players participated in this two-day seven-round competition which held under the aegis of J&K Sports Council following the Swiss system and FIDE Laws of Chess. Bindu Pathania was chief arbiter while Stuti Gupta was deputy chief arbiter of this event.

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