New Delhi: The closing ceremony of 10th Parsvnath International open Grandmaster Chess Tournament saw the sixth seed Filipino grandmaster, Oliver Barbosa ensuring a thrilling end by defeating the Indian International master Shyam Nikhil in the eleventh and the final round at the Ludlow Castle Sports Complex. This win enabled him to take his tally to nine and half points and cash on hefty prize cheque of Rs.3 lac along with the winner’s trophy.

Overwhelmed with victory, Oliver Barbosa (rating 2573) said “I am very happy to have done very well in Delhi. Last year, Chennai had turned out to be a disappointment and I had fallen minus 10 from my rating, but this year I have gained 10 points and it’s a very exciting to have won, as the competition was pretty tough and close". Giving insight to his future plans he told that his further next target is to achieve Super Grandmaster rating 2600.

International Master Lalith Babu MR rating (2484) from India won the 3rd prize of 1 lakh 50 thousand. Thrilled with the win he said “I have been participating in this tournament from the past 6 years. I am very happy to have won this game. It is very exciting as the match was really tough and as I have scored 9 points, it wouldn’t be long before I would become a grandmaster.”

While many Indians participated in the tournament among the ones who won the game were, Saurabh Anand who won the total prize of 14 thousand and Aansh Gupta wining the cheque of Rs 9 thousand. Both were adjudged as the best under-10 players.

Madhurima Shekhar rating (1918) of India scored six and half point with a prize money of 10 thousand and was awarded the title of Best Delhi Girl whereas Joshi GB rating (2256) from India who also scored six and half point with a prize money of 10 thousand awarded the title of the best Delhi player.

By Swati Kumar

Indian Sports News