PANAJI: Anurag Mhamal and Gauri Hadkonkar emerged winners at the Sub-Junior Chess Championship in boys and girls category respectively on Sunday.

The championship conducted by Goa Chess Association in collaboration with Bambolim Chess Club and Sports Authority of Goa was held at Fatima Church Curca, Bambolim from July 23 to 25.

Anurag Mhamal clinched the title by defeating Ritviz Parab in the final round. He scored 6.5 points out of 7 rounds and remained undefeated in the tournament. This was a record 5th title for Anurag, who is a national A-level player. Earlier he had won it in the year 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Niraj Saripalli, Pranav Zantye and Omkar Damle scored 5.5 points each and finished second, third and fourth respectively. Niraj drew with Pranav Zantye while Omkar beat Adrian Almeida in the final round. Akhilesh Rai and Rohan Ahuja scored 5 points and stood fifth and sixth in the prize list.

Akhilesh drew with Rishubh Naik and Rohan beat Saeesh Bandodkar in the final round. In the girls category, Gauri Hadkonkar won the title by scoring 5 points out of 5 rounds and remain undefeated in the tournament. She beat Urvi Bandekar in the final round.

Urvi Bandekar, Aishwarya Thorat, Sonali Kerkar, Riddi Zantye and Sayani Kerkar scored 4 points out of 5 rounds and finished 2nd , 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th respectively. Aishwarya Thorat beat Sakshi Naik Gaonkar, Sonali Kerkar beat Aditi Prabhugaonkar and Riddi beat Sachi Bandodkar.

Four players from each category will represent Goa in the Sub Junior National to be held at Delhi from September 4 to 12, 2010.

Mr Ashesh Keni, president of GCA, Mr Arvind Mhamal secretary, Mr Kishor Bandekar treasure, Mr Shivaswamy and Mr Standrik Colaso were present for the prize distribution function.