Khordha duo Manish Mishra and Nainika Sahoo won the open and girls titles respectively in the Odisha State Under-13 Chess Championships, which took place at Dharmashala Indoor Stadium in Jaraka, Jajpur from 17 to 20 July 2026. Both the title winners secured seven points out of a possible eight. Sayansh Das and Arnica Das (both from Khordha) finished runners-up in the open and girls categories respectively.

Top two finishers in both categories of the eight-round State championship, qualified to represent Odisha in the forthcoming National Under-13 Chess Championships, scheduled to be held in Pondicherry from 3 to 9 September 2026.

The championship was organised by Jajpur United Chess Association (JUCA), under the aegis of the All Odisha Chess Association (AOCA) and supported by the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha and IIG Sports Academy.

The State championship offered a total prize fund of Rs 30,000, including Rs 3,500 for each title winner. The entry fee was Rs 700 per player. A total of 96 players, including 36 girls participated in the four-day championship. IIG Sports Academy sponsored 100 trophies for the event.

The prize distribution ceremony was held in the presence of AOCA AICF Events Commission Ranjan Mohanty, AOCA president Satya Ranjan Pattnaik, joint-secretary Bhabesh Mohanty, JUCA president Tapan Sarangi, chief arbiter Jyoti Shankar Nanda and national arbiter Manoj Parida.

FINAL STANDINGS (Top 10):

OPEN CATEGORY: 1. Manish Mishra (Khordha, 7 pts), 2. Sayansh Das (Khordha, 6.5), 3. Sanal Vaibhav (Khordha, 6), 4. Aadarsh Kumar Beriha (Khordha, 5.5), 5. Dibyansu Das (Khordha, 5.5), 6. Satya Swarup Tripathy (Khordha, 5.5), 7. Tanush Jakhodia (Sundergarh, 5.5), 8. Barnit Bitan Mohanty (Khordha, 5), 9. Devraj Senapati (Khordha, 5), 10. Atiksh Sahani (Khordha, 5).

GIRLS CATEGORY: 1. Nainika Sahoo (Khordha, 7 pts), 2. Arnica Dash (Khordha, 6), 3. Saradha Bhagya Kamini (Khordha, 6), 4. Labdhi Swain (Khordha, 5.5), 5. Tanvi Mishra (Dhenkanal, 5.5), 6. Shreyanshi Chhoatray (Khordha, 5), 7. Pradhan Preetika (Khordha, 5), 8. Samina Swain (Cuttack, 5), 9. Srujanee Sarangi (Khordha, 5), 10. Amruta Priyalaxmi (Khordha, 5).
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PHOTO: Champions and runners-up of the Odisha State Under-13 Chess Championships pose with guests at the closing ceremony in Jaraka on 20 July 2026.