13-year-old Ojasya Saxena (UP) scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Summer Cup Below 1600 Rating Tournament 2023. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Sujeet Kumar Chaudhari (UP) and Pallav Maheshwari (RAJ) scored 8/9 each. They were placed second and third respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹1500000. The top three prizes were ₹111000, ₹71000 and ₹41000 along with a trophy each respectively. There were three prizes worth ₹100000 and above. The tournament was organized by Chess in Lakecity from 16th to 18th June 2023 at Orbit Resort in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This was Ojasya’s first tournament triumph of his nascent career. Photos: IA Vikas Sahu/Chess in Lakecity
Ojasya’s first tournament triumph
103rd seeded Ojasya Saxena (UP) was playing his tenth over-the-board tournament, nine of them were rated event. The teenager scored 7.5/8 and had a half point lead heading into the final round. Six players were trailing him at 7/8 each. He defeated Samarth Sreeni Warrier (GUJ) in the final round to become a clear champion. Sujeet Kumar Chaudari (UP) and Pallav Maheshwari (RAJ) defeated Habib Qureshi Raaz (MP) and Kishore S M (TN) respectively to finish at second and third place with a score of 8/9 each.
The tournament was inaugurated by Rajendra Bhatt, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, in presence of IA Vikas Sahu, Secretary, Chess in Lakecity, Executive Member, Rajasthan Chess Association, Rajeev Bhardwaj, President CIL, Tushar Mehta, Chief Patron, CIL, IA Sunil Soni, Sanjeev Bhardwaj, Org. Chairman and FA Neelesh Kumawat.
