Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 25: The Andaman & Nicobar Women’s State Chess Championship-cum-National Selection Trial 2026 was organised by the Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) on October 25, 2026, at Tagore Government College of Education, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The tournament commenced with an opening ceremony graced by Smti Chandrika Rao, Principal, Tagore Government College of Education, as the Chief Guest. She formally inaugurated the event by making the ceremonial first move on the chessboard, marking the beginning of the championship.
The tournament brought together talented women and girls from different age groups across the islands, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their chess skills, strategic thinking and competitive spirit. The event featured categories including Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-19, along with the overall open category.
The championship was conducted under the Swiss-system format, with a maximum of seven rounds and a time control of 15 minutes plus a 5-second increment per move. The competition aimed to promote women’s participation in chess and identify talented players for national-level representation.
As per the final standings after seven rounds, Aarohi T secured first position. AFM B. Rajeshpriya Krishnapriya finished second while Aradhaya Rai secured third position. Bhavishya S and AFM K. Mahi also delivered commendable performances, securing fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
The championship reflects ANCA’s continued commitment to encouraging women and girls to participate in chess, nurturing young talent and strengthening the chess culture across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The association expressed its gratitude to the Chief Guest, the host institution, participating players, parents, officials and volunteers for their valuable support in making the tournament a success.