Team Blitz India
DUBAI: Indian chess prodigies have yet again proved their mettle. With 51 medals to its kitty, India came out a clear champion at the Asian Youth Championship in UAE recently.
While India stood at the top, the medal tally was followed by China and Sri Lanka in the second and third position respectively.
The 25th Asian Youth Chess Championship (classical) held in Al-Ain in UAE saw considerable advantage for Indian players with their sheer edge over their rivals.
Notable among the young achievers were two Indian youngsters, Kiyana Parihar (Under-8 Girls), and Harsh Suresh (Under-16 Open) who clinched gold medals. Kiyana won a silver medal last week in the Asian Under-8 Girls Rapid Chess Championship.
Three of the Indian players who were specially applauded included, AS Sharvanika (Under-8 Girls), Arit Kapil (Under-8 Open), and G. Tejaswini (Under-18 Girls) for their silver medals in their respective Classical championships.
At the end of the tournament in the middleeastern country, India’s mammoth 51 medals included a total of 19 individuals, 9 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. In the 32 team event medals, it included 15 Gold, 14 Silver and 3 Bronze. India finished first in Best Federation (Classical format) category with 7 medals, followed by China four and Sri Lanka two.