Chess championship

SHILLONG, OCT 22: The 4^th Garo Hills Chess Championship 2018 concluded on Saturday at Tura Government College Hall, Hawakhana which was organized by the Garo Hills Chess Association (GHCA) in order to promote and encourage the young and talented players in the region. The programme was sponsored by the Planning Department, West Garo Hills Tura and District Sports Office, Tura.

In the championship match that was played for three days on Swiss league system of total 9 rounds, Silkam A. Sangma of Duragre, Tura, emerged the winner followed by Silseng N. Marak and Barbith M. Sangma. It may be mentioned that Silkam A Sangma have won the Garo Hills Chess Championship title for the three consecutive years and has also added another feather to his cap by achieving the National Instructor (NI) title, the first among the tribals of Meghalaya. The Title certificate and a Special Badge of All India Chess Federation (AICF) was presented to him by AICF’s Joint Secretary, T.H. Biju Singh. The 4^th  to 10^thposition holders were Krusen D. Shira, Wilseng G. Marak, Balsrang N. Marak, Lakman B. Marak, Predinath R. Sangma, Salcham S. Marak and Challangga D. Sangma.

Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Tura Chief Executive Member, Dipul R. Marak while gracing the occasion as Chief Guest on the first day of the function, lauded the association for organising such kind of events for the players of the region and assured the participants to help them in near future in his personal capacity.

The total number of participants was about 70. There were five categories in the Championship for the players, under 13, under 15, Veteran, female and an open category.

The winners of under 13 boys were, 1^stLetmister M. Sangma and 2^ndArand Rikrim Sangma and under -15 boys category winners are 1^stMangrak K. Sangma and 2^ndJehiel R. Marak. The winners among the Veterans are 1^st Franchis A. Sangma, 2^nd Minickson T. Sangma and 3^rd Harlowe Sangma. Best female, youngest player and differently abled prizes goes to Salchi A. Sangma, Chongkimbea M. Sangma and Lepstan R. Marak respectively.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner and Project Director, DRDA, West Garo Hills, Tura A M Sangma was the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony and also distributed the Trophies, Certificate and Cash prizes to the winners of the Championship.

By Our Reporter