- Players across various age categories showcased exceptional talent
- Winners felicitated with trophies and gift hampers
TIL Desk Lucknow:
On the occasion of International Chess Day, Phoenix Palassio, Lucknow, in collaboration with the UP Chess Sports Association and the Lucknow Chess Association, successfully hosted the Srinivasa Ramanujan Trophy – International Chess Day Blitz Tournament 2026. The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from chess enthusiasts across multiple age groups, who showcased exceptional strategy, concentration, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The event was graced by A. K. Raizada, Honorary General Secretary, UP Chess Sports Association; Rajesh Kumar Shahi, President, Lucknow Chess Association; along with several other distinguished guests.
The tournament was conducted in the Blitz format, with each player allotted 3 minutes along with a 2-second increment per move. Organized under the Swiss System, the competition featured several thrilling matches that highlighted the tactical brilliance, quick decision-making, and competitive spirit of the participants. The initiative aimed to promote the game of chess, encourage young talent to pursue the sport, and provide a prestigious platform for emerging players to showcase their abilities.
The tournament featured competitions across multiple categories, including Open, Women, Veteran, Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19. Winners securing the first, second, and third positions in each category were felicitated with trophies and gift hampers in recognition of their outstanding performances.
In the Open category, Abhas Kumar secured the first position, followed by Anuj Yadav in second and Rishabh Srivastava in third. In the Women’s category, Avanya Dhillon finished first, Anshika Jain secured second place, and Ahana Mukherjee came third. In the Veteran category, Prabhat Adhauliya claimed the first position, Rajesh Rastogi finished second, and Rakesh Gupta secured third place.
In the Under-7 (Open) category, Abhyam Mishra secured first place, Avyan finished second, and Viaan came third. In the Under-7 (Girls) category, Arna secured first place, Samaira finished second, and Shayra came third. In the Under-9 (Open) category, Reyansh secured first place, Priyom finished second, and Kushagra came third, while in the Under-9 (Girls) category, Jeeva secured first place and Nayesha finished second.
In the Under-11 (Open) category, Mohammad Zaidan secured first place, Akshat finished second, and Reyansh came third. In the Under-11 (Girls) category, Advika secured first place and Naisha finished second. In the Under-13 (Open) category, Atharva secured first place, Aarav finished second, and Saksham came third, while in the Under-13 (Girls) category, Faika secured first place, Agamya finished second, and Rinaya came third.
In the Under-15 (Open) category, Shubh secured first place, Medhansh finished second, and Vedant came third. In the Under-15 (Girls) category, Khadija secured first place, Medhavi finished second, and Aadya came third. In the Under-17 (Open) category, Aarav secured first place, Shlok finished second, and Arjun came third, while in the Under-17 (Girls) category, Lavanya secured first place, Sneha finished second, and Shreya came third.
In the Under-19 (Open) category, Medhansh secured first place, Utkarsh finished second, and Suchitra came third. In the Under-19 (Girls) category, Kirti Chaurasia emerged as the winner.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Sarin, Retail Director (North), The Phoenix Mills, said, At Phoenix Palassio, our vision extends beyond shopping and entertainment. We are committed to creating meaningful experiences that inspire, engage, and empower the community. Through initiatives like the Srinivasa Ramanujan Trophy, we aim to promote sportsmanship, nurture young talent, and encourage intellectual excellence. It is heartening to witness such enthusiastic participation from players across all age groups, making this International Chess Day celebration truly memorable.
