Anustup Biswas from West Bengal won the second Shefali Memorial International Rapid Chess Tournament in Agartala on Sunday, November 8, after scoring 8 points in nine rounds. A total of 286 players from five participating contingents competed in the two-day event organised at NSRCC in memory of Shefali Bhattacharya.
At A Glance:
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West Bengal’s Anustup Biswas won the title with an unbeaten 8 points from nine rounds.
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A total of 286 players, including 64 women, participated in the two-day tournament in Agartala.
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Tripura’s WCM Aradhya Das finished third, while 53 players received prizes across different age categories.
Anustup Biswas finished the nine-round competition with an unbeaten 8 points to claim the title on Sunday.
Biswas received a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and a trophy for his performance. His victory capped a two-day competition that brought together 286 chess players from different parts of the country.
Another chess player from West Bengal, Aritra Pal secured the second position with 7.5 points. Promising Woman Candidate Master (WCM) from Tripura, Aradhya Das also scored 7.5 points to finish third. Her performance added to the state’s representation among the leading players in the tournament.
The organisers also distributed prizes among 53 players across different age-based categories.
286 Players Participate in Agartala Chess Tournament
The second Shefali Memorial International Rapid Chess Tournament attracted 286 participants from Tripura, Assam, Odisha, West Bengal and the Railway Sports Board.
The large turnout reflected the growing participation in competitive chess in the region. The field included an International Master and a FIDE Master. Women players also recorded a strong presence, with 64 participants competing in the event.
The tournament began on Saturday at the National Sports and Recreation Club (NSRCC) in Agartala. Tripura State Chess Association president Abhijit Mallick inaugurated the competition.
The two-day event concluded on Sunday with the final rounds and a prize distribution ceremony.
The participation of players from several states and the Railway Sports Board gave the competition a wider competitive profile. It also provided local players with an opportunity to test their skills against experienced participants from outside Tripura.
Anustup Biswas Finishes Unbeaten with 8 Points
Biswas maintained consistent form throughout the nine rounds to secure the championship without losing a match. His final tally of 8 points placed him ahead of the other competitors.
Aritra Pal followed him with 7.5 points to claim the second prize. Aradhya Das matched Pal’s score but finished third.
The organisers recognised 53 players in total through prizes across various age-based categories. The prize distribution ceremony featured cash awards amounting to Rs 40,000 and attractive trophies for the winners.
The organisers presented the awards at a grand ceremony following the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday.
Chess Association Highlights Growing Opportunities in Tripura
Tripura State Chess Association president Abhijit Mallick welcomed the participation of 286 players. He said the association would continue its efforts to expand chess activities and promote the game across the state.
Mallick pointed out the significant change in the state’s chess environment over the years.
Earlier, Tripura players had to travel outside the state to participate in rating tournaments. They now have regular opportunities to compete in FIDE-rated events organised within Tripura.
He said the state association would maintain its efforts to strengthen the chess ecosystem and provide more competitive opportunities to local players.
The regular organisation of rated tournaments has helped bring competitive chess closer to players in the state. It has also reduced the need for local participants to depend entirely on competitions outside Tripura.
Tournament Organised in Memory of Shefali Bhattacharya
Chess enthusiast Priyabrata Bhattacharya organised the tournament in memory of his mother, Shefali Bhattacharya.
The competition took place at NSRCC in Agartala over Saturday and Sunday. The event combined competitive chess with a tribute to her memory.
The organisers concluded the tournament with the distribution of cash prizes and trophies among the winners in the main and age-based categories.
Three Chess Tournaments Underway in Tripura
Meanwhile, Tripura is hosting three chess tournaments simultaneously, reflecting the state’s active competitive chess calendar.
The seventh round of the third T-RERA Classical Tournament is scheduled for Monday. A total of 215 players from nine states are participating in this competition.
The ongoing tournaments have brought together players from different parts of the country and created additional opportunities for competitive chess in Tripura.
The successful conclusion of the Shefali Memorial International Rapid Chess Tournament, alongside the ongoing T-RERA Classical event, highlights the growing scale of organised chess competitions in the state.
