Devesh Anand Naik dominates 13th Late Cdr. Gopal Sakharam Sukthankar Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2024

by Shahid Ahmed - 20/12/2024

Devesh Anand Naik scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 at 13th Late Lt. Cdr. Gopal Sakharam Sukthankar Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. 14-year-old Chaitanya V Gaonkar scored 8/9 to secure sole second place. Abhishek Patil, Shane Alvarin Braganca, Joshua Mark Telles and Rishikesh Parab scored 7.5/9 each. Abhishek was placed third due to better tie-breaks scores. The total prize fund was ₹75000. The top three prizes were ₹13000, ₹10000 and ₹7000 along with a trophy each. The two-day nine-round Swiss league rapid rating tournament was organized by Mushtifund High Schools' Parent-Teacher Association at Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji, Goa on 30th November and 1st December. This is Devesh's first tournament triumph of the year. Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

Devesh's first rating tournament triumph of the year

Devesh Anand Naik was the sole leader 7.5/8, heading into the final round. Dmitry Bezstrakhov, Abhishek Patil, Chaitanya V Gaonkar, Rishikesh Parab and Anar Shayakberov were trailing by a half point at 7/8 each. Devesh defeated Dmitry to become a clear champion. Chaitanya won against Anar to secure second place. Rishikesh drew with Abhishek and the latter finished third. 10-year-ol Joshua Mark Telles scored an impressive 7.5/9 to finish fifth. He is the youngest top ten finisher of the event. WCM Gunjal Chopdekar is the sole female to make a top ten finish. She scored 7/9 to be placed ninth.

Champion - Devesh Anand Naik 8.5/9 | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

Runner-up - Chaitanya V Gaonkar 8/9 | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd Chaitanya V Gaonkar 8/9, 1st Devesh Anand Naik 8.5/9 and 3rd Abhishek Patil 7.5/9 | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

Prizes were distributed by Chief Guest - Mr. Mahesh Candolkar in presence of Mrs. Beena Kamat Shankwalkar, Mr Sagar Agni, Chairman MHSPTA, Mrs. Nandan Sardesai, MHSPTA Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Vedshree Lawande, MHSPTA Treasurer, IA Arvind Mhamal, Chief Arbiter, FA Dattaram Pinge, Deputy Chief Arbiter and others.

Devesh Anand Naik scored an unbeaten 8.5/9, finished a half point ahead of the field and gained 36 Elo rating points

Mr. Sudhan Shirodkar made the inaugural first move with the top seed - Maras Houssani of Morocco | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

Standing (L to R): Dattaram Pinge, Deputy Chief Arbiter, Sagar Agni, Tournament Director, Arvind Mhamal, Chief Arbiter, Mrs. Vedashree Lawande and Mrs. Beena Shankhwalkar, Headmistress Mushtifund School.

Tournament was inaugurated by Chief Guest - Mrs. Beena Kamat Shankwalkar in presence of guest Mr. Sudhan Shirodkar, Mr. Sagar Agni, Chairman MHSPTA, Mrs. Nandan Sardesai, MHSPTA,Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Anisha Salgaonkar, MHSPTA Secretary, Mrs. Vedshree Lawande, MHSPTA Treasurer, IA Arvind Mhamal, Chief Arbiter, FA Dattaram Pinge, Deputy Chief Arbiter by lighting the traditional lamp and making the first move on the board.

Arbiters' team | Photo: IA Arvind Mhamal

L to R: Sitting: IM Jotsna Saripalli, IA Chief Arbiter - Arvind Mhamal, FA Dattaram Pinge, FA Yashwant Pawar.

Standing: Umesh Naik, Wilson Cruz, Rishikesh Vernekar, Milind Gawde, Sudhakar Patgar, Shravan Barve

A total of 286 players took part from various parts of India, one from Hungary, Morocco, New Zealand and USA. The tournament was organized by Mushtifund High School's Parent-Teacher Association at Menezes Braganza Hall in Panaji, Goa on 30th November and 1st December. The nine-round Swiss league Rating tournament had a time control of 20 minutes + 10 seconds increment from move no.1.

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	sex	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB5
1	3		Devesh Anand Naik			1879	Ponda	8,5	54	57,5	54,00	8
2	8		Chaitanya V Gaonkar	U15		1825	Bicholim	8	52,5	56,5	49,00	8
3	13		Patil Abhishek			1744	Maharashtra	7,5	53	57	44,75	7
4	6		Shane Alvarin Braganca			1839	Tiswadi	7,5	52,5	56	44,00	7
5	12		Joshua Mark Telles	U11		1747	Salcete	7,5	50,5	55,5	43,75	7
6	11		Parab Rishikesh			1757	Mormugao	7,5	50,5	54	43,25	7
7	4		Bezstrakhov Dmitry			1847	Russia	7	55,5	60	44,00	7
8	10	AIM	Aarush Bhat	U13		1779	Karnataka	7	52	56	41,25	6
9	16	WCM	Chopdekar Gunjal		w	1718	Tiswadi	7	51	54	38,50	7
10	15		Mayuresh Laxlabh Desai	U15		1723	Sattari	7	50,5	54,5	40,75	6
11	2		Shayakberov Anar			1951	Russia	7	50,5	52,5	38,00	7
12	17		Vihaan Tari	U09		1652	Tiswadi	7	50	52	37,00	7
13	23		Fadte Rudresh			1619	Mormugao	7	48	50	35,00	7
14	24		Shirodker Arthav	U11		1609	Mormugao	7	43,5	47	34,50	7
15	21		Aravinda B R			1631	Karnataka	6,5	50,5	54,5	36,25	6
16	9		Kochrekar Vishwesh			1800	Maharashtra	6,5	49,5	53,5	37,25	5
17	26		Saeeja Gunesh Dessai	F13	w	1601	Salcete	6,5	49,5	52,5	34,75	6
18	33		Chopdekar Aarav	U13		1554	Mormugao	6,5	48,5	52,5	33,25	6
19	1		Maras Houssni			2123	Moroco	6,5	48,5	51,5	34,75	6
20	34		Arya Dabholkar		w	1544	Salcete	6,5	48	52	34,75	6