Post News Network
Cuttack, April 5: FM Rakesh Kumar Jena and Sradhanjali Jena emerged champions in the U-19 open and girls’ categories of the IIIrd Srusti Chess Festival respectively, which concluded here Sunday.
In the U-19 open category, Rakesh of Jajpur outwitted Sambit Panda in the seventh and the final round to lead the pack with a total of six points. Ashirwad Swain of Nayagarh finished second with 5.5 points. Rajesh Nayak of Puri garnered the same point, but has to be satisfied with the third place as he lagged behind Ashirwad on the basis of tie-breaker point.
In the girls’ segment, Sradhanjali of Cuttack clinched the title with 5.5 points. In the sixth and the final round, Sradhanjali held WFM Rutumbara Bidhar in a tough fight. Sunyasakta Satpathy(5) of Khurda secured the second position, while Rutumbara (4) of Khurda finished third.
In the U-9 open category, Manish Kumar (6) of Khurda and in the girls’ segment, P Sairupa (5.5) of Cuttack emerged champions.
