GUWAHATI, March 29 � After 6 days of intense battle of wits over the 64 squares, Y Dhanabir Singh of Manipur emerged champion in the 1st RGS International Rating Chess Tournament at the Royal Global School last evening. By clinching the title, Dhanabir bagged Rs 1 lakh.
Dhanabir scored 9 points out of a maximum possible 10 and emerged champion with a half point margin from Debasish Mukherjee of West Bengal who was adjudged as the 1st runners. Former Assam champion Rajib Dhar managed to secure the 3rd position by defeating the top seed of the tournament M Deepthamsh Reddy of Andhra Pradesh in the final round.
Tripura Governor Devananda Konwar graced the prize distribution ceremony as the chief guest. Also present were AK Pansari, chairman, RGS, Arup Mukhopadhayay, Principal of RGS, Mridul Mahanta, president, Devasish Sharma, vice-president, M Arun Singh, secretary, Guwahati Chess Association, Siben Dutta, President, Akshayam and host of other dignitaries.
Best Assam players: Santanu Borpatra Gohain (6.5 points), Projit Phukon (6.5 points), Cheniram Pegu (6.5 points), Rakesh Chakravorty (6 points). Best Guwahati Players: Deba Kumar Das (6 points), Sahjahan Ali (5.5 points), Pranab Kumar Nath (5.5 points), Chingkhei Singh (5.5 points). Best Girl Player: Bidisha Sarma (5 points).
