Fourth seed Soumya Ranjan Sahoo of Cuttack won the title in the Odisha State Youth (U-25) Chess Championship, which concluded at Town Hall in Boudh today. He logged six points out a possible seven to take home the top prize of Rs 1,800.

Rajesh Nayak (Puri) and Smaraki Mohanty (KIIT) also scored six points apiece to tie for the top spot. But on the basis of Buchholz tie-break method, top seed Nayak, who beat Sahoo in the fourth round, settled as runner-up, while state women`s champion Mohanty finished third.

Altogether 56 players participated in the three-day tournament, which was organised by Boudh District Chess Association, under the aegis of All Odisha Chess Association. The top two finishers qualified to represent Odisha in the forthcoming National Under-25 Chess Championship, which will be held at Chennai, Tamil Nadu from October 25 to 31.

FINAL STANDINGS (Top 10): 1. Soumya Ranjan Sahoo (6), 2. Rajesh Nayak (6), 3. Smaraki Mohanty (6), 4. Rajat Kumar Sahoo (5.5), 5. Aswini Kumar Sahu (5.5), 6. Avinash Baliarsingh (5), 7. Swastik Sahoo (5), 8. Jitendra Kumar Das (5), 9. Rasmi Ranjan Rath (5), 10. Ayush Amlan Sahu (5).
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PHOTO: Top three finishers (L to R) Soumya Ranjan Mishra, Smaraki Mohanty and Rajesh Nayak in Boudh on July 23, 2014.