Devansh Keshri (Yellow T Shirt) Takes Sole Lead in Bihar U-13 Chess Championship.
By A Correspondent
Patna: Devansh Keshri of Patna has emerged as the sole leader in the Open category of the Bihar State Under-13 Chess Championship, with 5.5 points after six rounds. In the girls’ section, Mohini Pandit of Chhapra has taken the top spot with five points. The championship is being oragnised by Katihar District Chess Association.
In the sixth round of the Open category, the top-board clash between Shivansh Barnwal of West Champaran and Suronoy Das of Kishanganj, played in the Four Knights Scotch Variation, ended in a draw. Despite both players making determined efforts to secure a win, the 46-move encounter concluded with both agreeing to share the point.
On the second board, top seed Devansh Keshri defeated Siddharth Shandilya of Muzaffarpur in a Giuoco Piano game. Displaying excellent control with the black pieces, Devansh gradually built pressure on his opponent’s king and forced a resignation on the 47th move. With this victory, he moved ahead as the sole leader with 5.5 points, while Shivansh Barnwal and Suronoy Das remain in joint second place with five points each.
In the girls’ category, Mohini Pandit is leading comfortably with five points. In the fifth round, playing with the black pieces on the top board, she opened with the Sicilian Defence against Anika of Saharsa. The game saw several ups and downs, but Anika weakened her position with consecutive inaccuracies on the 32nd and 33rd moves, eventually conceding defeat on the 35th move. Although she had a promising position despite being a piece down, a missed opportunity on the 32nd move proved costly.
Mohini now leads by a full point over her nearest rivals. Anika Yadav of Saharsa, Aradhya Prakash of Patna, and Agrima Raj of Muzaffarpur are jointly placed second with four points each.
On the final day tomorrow, one round will be played in both categories, followed by the prize distribution ceremony.
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