Subhendu Patra won the gold medal for Odisha on Board-2 of the AICFB National Team Chess Championship for the Visually Challenged, which was held at Blind Peoples Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad from 31 October to 2 November 2025. Odisha finished sixth among 26 participating teams from across India.

The three-day tournament, organized by Gujarat Chess Association for Visually Challenged (GCAVC) under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation for the Blind, witnessed intense competition and showcased the growing strength of visually challenged players nationwide.

The five-member Odisha team, supported by the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, scored nine points with four wins, one draw, and two losses out of seven rounds, displaying consistency and fighting spirit throughout the event. Other four members of the Odisha team were: Prachurya Kumar Pradhan, Asit Kumar Mohanty, Nemai Das and Ananya Anwesha Mishra.

Star performer Subhendu Patra struck gold on the crucial second board with an impressive 6.5 points out of a possible seven, while remaining unbeaten. In a decisive penultimate round against Gujarat, Odisha narrowly missed victory, losing 2.5–1.5 in a must-win encounter that would have kept them in medal contention. Despite the setback, the team earned praise for its competitive spirit and unity.

Meanwhile, Gujarat clinched the championship title for the third consecutive time, scoring 13 points out of 14, completing a historic hat-trick. Maharashtra finished second, and Delhi secured third place.

International Master Swayanshu Satyapragyan, Adviser of Odisha Chess Association for Visually Challenged (OCAVC) and Administrator of ProChessTA, said, “The performance of the Odisha team reflects the growing chess culture among the visually challenged in the state. The support from the Government and the dedication of our players are paving the way for a brighter future.”