Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 15: As part of the Pongal Celebrations–2026, Tamizhar Sangam is organizing various cultural, sports, and community events for the general public, as it does every year. In this connection, the Tamizhar Sangam Open Chess Tournament, organized by Tamizhar Sangam in collaboration with the Andaman Nicobar Chess Association, concluded successfully yesterday evening at the Tamizhar Sangam Hall, Phoenix Bay with around 500 players participating, marking it as one of the largest indoor chess tournaments in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
After a closely contested finish in the Open Category, AFM Shrihaan Karmakar of GSSS Bathu Basti topped the Final standings on superior tie-breaks, while Lalith B of KV-I and Supratik Mandal of NCS finished second and third respectively. Rohan Singh of Carmel School and Neelakantham K, LGC from DEO, South Andaman, secured the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
In the Under-11 Boys category, AFM Saw Jinson Samuel of Carmel School clinched first place, followed by Sachit Bara of Invent Public School in second position and Vignesh B of Carmel School in third.
In the Under-11 Girls category, Vanshika Rao T of KV-I claimed first position, with Charvi D of VKV Lambaline and Kruti T of Carmel School securing second and third positions respectively.
The Under-17 Boys category, Hari Prasad B of KPSSS secured first position, while AFM Nimish Bantupalli of VKV Lambaline secured second place and AFM Yashwant V of GMSSS Aberdeen finished third.
The Under-17 Girls category saw Sriya Raj of VKV Lambaline emerge as the winner, followed by Nandini of GSSS Bambooflat in second place and Krishnapriya B Rajesh of Sagaritara School in third.
The prize distribution ceremony is scheduled to be held on 16.01.2026 in the evening at Tamizhar Sangam Hall, during which the winners will be honoured with prizes. All prize winners are requested to be present for the ceremony.