Bhubaneswar, April 7: In an exciting climax to the 18th National Chess Championship for the Blind, held at the SAI International Residential School in Cuttack, Gujarat’s Darpan Irani clinched the title, edging out multiple-time champion Kisan Gangolli on a better tie-break score. Both players finished with 7.5 points, but Irani’s superior tie-break score earned him the coveted National Champion title.
The competition was intense, especially during the final round, with the top four boards delivering highly competitive games. One of the most dramatic moments came from the match between Aryan Joshi, the overnight leader, and Odisha’s Soundarya Kumar Pradhan. Despite facing a tough position in the middle of the game, Soundarya capitalized on Aryan’s misstep and managed to seize control. Aryan, who had an opportunity to force a perpetual draw, missed his chance and ultimately lost. This result pushed Soundarya into fourth place, earning him a spot on the Indian team for the upcoming Blind Chess Olympiad and the Individual World Championship.
Kisan Gangolli, living up to his reputation, displayed impressive form, defeating BL Somender in his final-round match. Irani, meanwhile, secured the championship with a well-played victory over Subhendu Patra on board three.
Milind Samant of Maharashtra secured the fifth position, thanks to his win over K Marimuthu in the last round. This year’s championship had a larger prize fund than ever before, with cash rewards given to the top ten finishers, adding to the prestige of the event.
The event culminated in a grand prize distribution ceremony, attended by Chief Guest Deepankar Mohapatra, Director of the Department of Sports & Youth Services, and Guest of Honour Amitabh Agnihotri, Principal of SAI Residential School. Their presence added significance to the occasion, making the championship a memorable one.
This edition of the National Chess Championship for the Blind showcased the immense talent and determination of the players. With players like Soundarya now gearing up for international competitions, the future of Blind Chess in India looks promising as the country prepares for the Blind Chess Olympiad and the World Championship.