There was a three-way tie for the top spot with the twin brothers, who took to chess only a year ago after being disillusioned with dance, and Koustuv Dash (Khurda) garnering six points each. But on the basis of Buchholz tie-break score, Koustuv had to settle as runner-up.

The battle for the under-7 girls crown was also decided via Buchholz tie-break method after Anjali and her Khurda district-mate Sreejana Dash tied for the top spot with five points each from six rounds. Ironically, Srijana, who started her campaign with a loss in the first round, finished runner-up despite beating eventual champion Anjali in the final round.

Ansuman justified his top billing by claiming the title six points out of a possible seven. He pipped Susobhit Das (Sundargarh) and Rudraksh Parida (Khurda) by tie-break score after the trio ended with identical score. Susobhit finished runner-up, while Rudraksh and Pranab Kumar Patra (5.5) occupied the third and fourth positions respectively.

Only Smaraki emerged as the undisputed champion with 5.5 points out of a possible six in under-17 girls’ category. Third seed Smaraki, in fact, retained the crown, winning six games and drawing the last one against Anisha Mishra. WFM Rutumbara Bidhar (5) settled as runner-up, while Shreejita Khuntia (5) and Anisha Mishra finished third and fourth respectively.

Top four finishers in both categories of the u-17 event qualified to Odisha in the related National championship to be held in Karnataka from October 2 to 11, while top two finishers of the u-7 event became eligible for the concerned Nationals to be held at Chennai from August 17 to 25.

The three-day state championships were organised by All Odisha Chess Association with the support of Srusti Academy of Management. DM School Headmaster Akhileswar Mishra handed over the trophies and cash prizes in the closing function. Srusti Academy Director Prof G D Mishra, Khordha District Chess Association secretary Subhasis Pattnaik and All Odisha Chess Association member G C Mohapatra were present on the occasion.
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TOP: Under-7 champions Anjali Mishra (L) and Priansh Das in Bhubaneswar on May 19, 2015.
RIGHT: Under-17 title winners Ansuman Samal (L) and Smaraki Mohanty in Bhubaneswar on May 19, 2015.