Shakya and Aradhya emerge champs in State U-15 Chess Tournament

Shakya Singha Modak and the Northeast’s youngest Woman Candidate Master, Aradhya Das, emerged as unbeaten champions in the two-day State Under-15 Chess Championship. The final rounds were played on Sunday at the NSRCC Chess Hall.

In the boys’ category, Shakya Singha Modak clinched the championship title with an unbeaten score of 5.5 points from six rounds. Pranjal Debnath also finished with 5.5 points but had to settle for the second position based on the tiebreak. Swastik Majumder and Pitambar Debnath secured third and fourth places respectively with 4.5 points each, while Pragyan Das finished fifth with 4 points.

The girls’ category featured four rounds. The title-deciding match was contested between Aradhya Das, and Aradhya Chowdhury. The marathon match lasted nearly three and a half hours and seemed headed for a draw, but in the end, Aradhya Das used her experience effectively to clinch victory and claim the state champion title with 3.5 points.

Ankita Sarkar finished second with an equal score but behind on tiebreak, while Aradhya Chowdhury and Ayantika Deb secured third and fourth places with 3 points each. Nalakshi Debnath took fifth place with 2.5 points.

The tournament was conducted by Panna Ahmed. According to the State Chess Association, Shakya, Pranjal, Aradhya, and Ankita have been selected to represent Tripura in the upcoming national championship.