Rayaan Mikael Rozario and Pritika Nandi are 39th National Under-9 Open and Girls 2026 Champions
Rayaan Mikael Rozario (TN) and Pritika Nandi (MAH) scored 9.5/11 and 10/11 each respectively to win 39th National Under-9 Open and Girls Chess Championships 2026.
Rayaan and Pritika’s first National title
Siddharth Anuj (TN), Viaansh Bhatnagar (RAJ) and Rayaan Mikael Rozario (TN) were the three leaders at 8.5/10 each, heading into the last round of the Open section. Viaansh lost to the Chengalpattu District Under-9 Open 2026 champion – Rayaan and the latter became the champion. Jinson Samuel Saw (A&N) lost to Ayansh Singh (UP) and the latter finished second. Ilaan Shafeek (KER) drew against Siddharth Anuj (TN) who claimed third place. They scored 9/11 each.
In the Girls event, the Commonwealth Under-8 Girls 2026 Gold medalist, Pritika Nandi (MAH) was the sole leader 9/10, going into the final round. Madhu Sree Duvvala (TEL) was the sole pursuer at 8.5/10.Pritika defeated Teesha Byadwal (RAJ) to become a clear champion 10/11. Adeena Mohanty (MAH) drew against Madhu and the latter secured second place. Amyra Arora (KAR) lost to Sai Anshitha Puvvala (TEL) who finished third.
Both Tamil Nadu and Telangana claimed two podium places in Open and Girls events respectively. The remaining place went to Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The total prize fund was ₹500000, ₹250000 in Open and Girls section each. The top three prizes were ₹50000, ₹36000 and ₹30000 along with a trophy each.
39th National Under-7 Girls and Open 2026 Champion – Pritika Nandi (MAH) 10/11 and Rayaa Mikael Rozario (TN) 9.5/11 | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
Runner-up in Open – Ayansh Singh (UP) 9/11 | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
Second Runner-up – Siddharth Anuj (TN) 9/11 | Photo: Chess Panda Academy
Second Runner-up – Sai Anshitha Puvvala (TEL) 8.5/11 | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
Rayaan Mikael Rozario scored 9.5/11, finished a half point ahead of the rest and gained 138.4 Elo rating points
Pritika – Teesha, Round 11
Position after 17…Qxd4??
Teesha Byadwal (RAJ, 1593) blundered 17…Qxd4?? Pritika Nandi (MAH, 1644) made a fantasstic knight sacrifice 18.Nxc6!+- Qxd2 19.Rad1 Qg5 20.Nxe7 Kxe7 21.e5 and White checkmated the black king in seven more moves.
Pritika Nandi scored an unbeaten 10/11, finished a full point ahead of the competition and increased her Elo rating by 105.2 points
All prize winners | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
Arbiters’ team | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy
Replay all available Open games
Replay all available Girls games
A total of 270 players took part from various states and union territories across the country. The seven-day eleven-round Under-9 Open Rating tournament was organized by All Jharkhand Chess Association at Sarala Birla School in Ranchi, Jharkhand from 6th to 12th July 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
A total of 157 players took part from various states and union territories across the country. The seven-day eleven-round Under-9 Girls Rating tournament was organized by All Jharkhand Chess Association at Sarala Birla School in Ranchi, Jharkhand from 6th to 12th July 2026. The time control of the tournament was 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment.
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