Arshiya Das, the chess prodigy from Tripura and the first female Candidate Master from North East India, has added another feather to her cap by winning a gold medal in the Commonwealth Chess tournament held in Sri Lanka.
This eighth-grader from Holy Cross School set a new benchmark by winning the gold medal in the under-14 girls’ blitz event. Arshiya became the first chess player from the state to clinch this prestigious award.
Arshiya Das secured a total of seven and a half points in nine rounds to claim the gold medal. The standard event commenced on Thursday afternoon. Arshiya is optimistic about winning a medal in that event as well.
In the tournament held in Sri Lanka, she lost one match, drew one, and won seven, hoisting the Indian flag high on foreign soil.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha hailed the achievement of Arshiya. In a social media post, he wrote, “Her achievement in the international chess competition is a matter of great pride for the people of Tripura, as well as for the entire nation. I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Arshiya for this accomplishment”.
MP Biplab Kumar Deb too lauded her success. In his congratulatory note, Deb wrote, “Heartiest congratulations to Arshiya Das for winning gold in Commonwealth Chess Championship in Blitz event, Srilanka in the Under 14 Girls category with 7.5 points in 9 Rounds”.
You have made us proud with this incredible achievement. Best wishes for your future endeavours.
Besides, Tripura Sports Minister Tinku Roy, MP Biplab Kumar Deb, former Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik, and Sports Council Secretary Sukanta Ghosh have extended their hearty congratulations to Arshiya. They have also expressed their best wishes for her brighter future.
Coach of Matrix Chess Academy Prasenjit Dutta also congratulated Arshiya. The chess enthusiasts of the state are also overjoyed with Arshiya’s remarkable achievement.
(Arshiya, Tripura)
