The first round of the 61st National Chess Championship saw all 19 Grandmasters participating in the tournament emerge victorious. The event, held at the RPS International School, witnessed a dominant display of chess prowess from the country’s top players.
The top seed and six-time champion Surya Shekhar Ganguly, playing with the black pieces, employed the French Defense against Krishay Jain on the top board and secured a victory in 32 moves. Ganguly’s victory was aided by a strategic error by Jain on the 26th move, leaving Ganguly with a commanding double-rook-and-bishop ending.
On the second board, Abhijeet Gupta, playing with white pieces, executed a checkmate against Abheek Bhatt on the 49th move with a pawn push. Bhatt’s king, pushed far from safety, fell victim to Gupta’s strategic maneuver.
The third board saw another checkmate, as S.P. Sethuraman, playing the Sicilian Defense against Venkatesh Das, cornered the white king with his queen and bishop.
In a closely contested match, Richard Solomon, facing the 13th seed Himal Gusain, held his opponent to a draw. Despite a significant rating difference of 711 points, Solomon’s strategic acumen proved to be a formidable force.
The first round of the tournament showcased a diverse range of chess strategies, with each game featuring unique tactical maneuvers and strategic brilliance. The victories of the Grandmasters highlight the intense competition and the high level of skill displayed by the participants. The upcoming rounds promise to be equally captivating as the players continue to vie for the coveted title of National Chess Champion.
