In a display of strategic brilliance and tactical prowess, five formidable chess players, namely Rucha Pujari, Akshay Borgaonkar, Vikramaditya Kulkarni, Kashish Jain, and Ritvik Krishnan, have emerged as joint leaders, each securing 5 points at the conclusion of the fifth round of the 19th Shri Maheshwaranand Saraswati Memorial All India Open FIDE Rating Chess Tournament. This prestigious event, organized by Buddhibal Kreeda Trust, has become a battleground of wits, unfolding at Ganesh Sabhagruha on Karve Road, Pune.
The tournament’s inauguration witnessed the esteemed presence of Mr. Niranjan Godbole, Honorary Secretary of MCA, Mr. Ashwin Trimal, Vice President of PDCC, Mr. Sanjay Adhav, PDCC Member, Mr. Prakash Kunte, Trustee of Buddhibal Kreeda Trust, Murnalini Kunte, Director of Kunte Chess Academy, along with IA Rajendra Shidore and Deputy Chief Arbiter Vinita Shrotri.
Results of the 5th Round:
- Mohammad, Nubairshah Shaikh (4pts) lost to Rucha Pujari (5pts)
- Aanjaneya Phatak (4.5pts) drew with Laxman, R.R. (4.5pts)
- Suyog Wagh (5pts) bt Akshay Borgaonkar (4pts)
- Vikrmaditya Kulkarni (5pts) bt Nirgun, Keval (4pts)
- Kashish Jain (5pts) bt Harsh Ghadge (4pts)
- Ram Parab (4pts) lost to Ritvik Krishnan (5pts)
- Arnav Kherdekar (3.5pts) lost to Raahul, V S (4.5pts)
- Kushagra, Mohan (4.5pts) bt Aahan, Sharma (3.5pts)
- Yash Watarkar (3.5pts) lost to Nikhil Dixit (4.5pts)
- Akshay Joglekar (3.5pts) lost to Abhishek, Kelkar (4.5pts)
- Vedant Nagarkatte (4pts) drew with Dhanashree Khairmode (4pts)
- Sammed Shete (4pts) bt Ashish Chaudhari (3.5pts)
- Padmini Rout (4pts) bt Apurv Desmukh (3pts)
- Aarush Dolas (4pts) bt Viresh Sharnarthi (3pts)
As the players continue to exhibit their mastery on the chessboard, the tournament promises more thrilling encounters in the subsequent rounds.
