Tura, June 20: The Garo Hills Chess Association (GHCA) has selected a 12-member team to represent the region at the upcoming Meghalaya State Chess Championships after a competitive two-day district-level selection tournament concluded in Tura on Saturday.
Held at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Rongkhon, the tournament brought together around 50 chess enthusiasts from East, North and West Garo Hills, with the ultimate goal of identifying top talent capable of advancing to national-level competitions.
Organised under the Swiss League format, the tournament featured seven rounds played over June 19 and 20. Matches were conducted with a time control of 45 minutes and a 10-second increment per move, under the supervision of a senior arbiter.
Despite a relatively modest turnout due to ongoing school examinations, organisers hailed the event as a reflection of the growing popularity of chess in the Garo Hills. The tournament witnessed participation across generations, from a six-year-old girl to a 65-year-old veteran player.
Barbith M. Sangma finished at the top of the standings. Pringprang Ch. Marak secured second place, while Arano Rikrim Ch. Momin finished third.
The remaining players selected for the GHCA squad are Nityananda Hajong, Predinath R. Sangma, Atchiso Ch. Momin, Sachin Kumar, Marcosh N. Marak, Jaksram A. Sangma, Wilseng G. Marak, Lalaobirth M. Sangma and Charming C. Marak.
Speaking on the occasion, organisers said the association is committed to further promoting chess across the region and has ambitious plans to host larger tournaments in Tura involving participants from across the Northeast, with the long-term goal of bringing national-level chess events to Garo Hills.
The closing ceremony was attended by Fr. Ravi Prabhat Ekka, Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Rongkhon, who distributed trophies and felicitated the selected players.
The newly formed squad will now prepare to represent Garo Hills at the state championships, carrying the region’s hopes of making a mark on the national chess circuit.
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