Six new champions crowned at 13th National Amateur Chess Championships 2026
Tamil Nadu won five of the six titles in the 13th National Amateur Chess Championships, organized by Ananthi Chess Academy, Madurai and Viyugam Chess Academy, Hosur at the Adhiyaman College of Engineering, Hosur. The only other title went to B Kirthika of Telangana in the under-2300 championship for women.
Tamil Nadu wins five out of six championships
By R Anantharam
Among all states, Tamil Nadu won the highest number of medals – 12 out of 18, five Gold, four Silver and three Bronze. Telangana won two – a Gold and a Bronze each. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh won a Silver medal each. Karnataka and Kerala got a Bronze medal each.
Tamil Nadu bagged 12 out of 18 mdeals
All Champions of 13th National Amateur Chess Championships 2026 | Photo: IA R Anantharam
Champion in Under-2300 Open – S Gokul Krishna 8/9 | Photo: IA R Anantharam
S Gokul Krishna had only one loss in the third round to score eight points to win the under 2300 open title. Indrajeet Mahindrakar of Maharashtra collected 7.5 points to finish as runner-up. After Kirthika, R Pooja Shree and P Bala Kannamma of Tamil Nadu and Nakshatra G of Karnataka had 6.5 points each to their credit to finish second to fourth respectively.
Round 7: WCM Kirthika B (TEL) – WFM P Bala Kannamma (TN): 1-0 | Photo: IA R Anantharam
In the 2000 open category, both Saravanan and R Gokula Vishnu from Tamil Nadu scored eight points to tie for the tile, but Gokula had a better Buchholz value to be declared winner. In the same category for women, Pavithra R V (TN) clinched the under-2000 category for women by scoring 7.5 points. Ratnapriya K and P L Kavitha both from Tamil Nadu finished behind Pavithra to secure second and third places respectively.
Muthuraman Kesavamoorthy of Tamil Nadu conceded a draw in the penultimate round to score 8.5 points to bag the under-1700 open championship. Kavish Saxena of Uttar Pradesh and U Balaram of Tamil Nadu were the first and second runners-up respectively, as they had half a point less in their kitty. A Meha Arin of Tamil Nadu also had eight wins and one draw to win the women championship. J Shalini of Tamil Nadu and UA Disha of Karnataka had one point less to claim the second and third places respectively.
Round 7: Kesavamoorthy Muthuraman (TN) – A Yoganandan (TN): 1-0 | Photo: IA R Anantharam
Mr. D P Anantha, Vice President, All India Chess Federation was the Chief Guest on the final day and the Guests of Honour were R Anantharam, Vice President, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, V L Anandh Babu, Secretary, CFPD and P Rajasekaran, Joint Secretary, TNSCA, besides P Pragadesh the Tournament Director and N Lokesh, the Organizing Secretary.
Final standings in Under-1700 Open
Final standings in Under-1700 Women
Final standings in Under-2000 Open
Final standings in Under-2000 Women
Final standings in Under-2300 Open
Final standings in Under-2300 Women
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Adhiyamaan College of Engineering
About the Author
Prof. Rathinam Anantharam is an A-grade international arbiter. Member of the FIDE Arbiters’ Commission, Chairman of the Titles Commission in the All India Chess Federation, Vice President of the Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Chief Arbiter for six world championships, many Asian, International, and National Championships.
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