1st Nanjil State Level Open Chess Tournament was conducted on 27.08.2016 & 28.08.2016 at Bharat Thirumana Mandapam, Near Mathias Nagar, K.P.Road, Nagercoil. The tournament was inaugurated by Mr. M. Sekar, President, Nanjil Chess Club, Nagercoil. Mr. R. Johnny Roy, Secretary, Nanjil Chess Club, Nagercoil delivered the welcome address.
The tournament was conducted in Swiss system with a time control of 30 minutes for each player. The event attracted 535 players in total. 110 players contested in the Open category for total cash prizes worth Rs.25,000/- with the top seed being Ram S Krishnan of BSNL. He proved his worth as top seed remaining undefeated to clinch the first prize of Rs. 6000/- scoring 7 points out of 8 rounds. The prizes were distributed by Mr. D.M. Aravind, Proprietor, Fabric Nation, Nagercoil.
In Under 7 category, 67 players participated with Arul Prakash N of Madurai being the top seed and the only rated player. He remained undefeated scoring 6.5 points out of 7 rounds. 20 cups were given to the top 10 boys and top 10 girls. The prizes were distributed by Mr. M. Sekar, President, Nanjil Chess Club.
105 players participated in the Under 9 category out of which 6 players were rated. Aswath S of Nagercoil remained undefeated scoring 7.5 points out of 8 rounds to receive first prize trophy along with a special gift given by the Organizers for the champion. Prizes were given to top 15 boys and top 10 girls by Mr. Johnny Roy, Secretary, Nanjil Chess Club.
Under 12 category witnessed the maximum entries of 202 among the total tournament entries and Manikanda Prabhu B V of Tirunelveli finished at first place scoring 8 points without defeat out of the possible 9 rounds. Top 15 boys and top 10 girls were awarded trophies by Mr. Johnny Roy, Secretary, Nanjil Chess Club.
68 players participated in the Under 15 category out of which 18 players were rated. Muthu Rakesh B and Ramachandran SM were tied for the first place with each scoring 6.5 points out of 7 rounds but better tie break score fetched Muthu Rakesh the first prize trophy along with a special gift given by the Organizers for the champion. Prizes were given to top 10 boys and top 5 girls by Mr. Johnny Roy, Secretary, Nanjil Chess Club.