Sri Vijaya Puram, November 1: Five young chess players from the Andaman & Nicobar Islands participated in the Western Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026, held from October 21 to 30 at Rajpath Club Diamond Hall, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The championship had six age groups in the Open and Girls sections with Standard, Rapid and Blitz competitions. The islands’ players competed in the Under-8, Under-10 and Under-14 categories across three formats: Standard, Rapid and Blitz.
The Western Asian Youth Chess Championships brought together 595 young chess talents from various countries across the region, providing an international platform for players to test their skills, compete against strong opponents and gain valuable experience. The event featured three distinct formats of chess, each demanding different levels of strategic planning, concentration, calculation and time management. Participation in such a prestigious tournament offers young players an opportunity to improve their competitive skills, build confidence and understand the demands of international-level chess.
In Standard Chess (9 rounds), Saw Jinson Samuel (Under-10) scored 5/9 points, M. Ritwik (Under-8) 4.5/9, J.S. Virat (Under-16) 4/9, S. Eshaan (Under-10) 3.5/9 and T. Easanth (Under-8) 2.5/9.
In Rapid Chess (7 rounds), Saw Jinson Samuel (Under-10) scored 4.5/7 points, S. Eshaan (Under-10) 3.5/7, M. Ritwik (Under-8) 3/7, J.S. Virat (Under-14) 2.5/7 and T. Easanth (Under-8) 2/7.
In Blitz Chess (7 rounds), Saw Jinson Samuel (Under-10) scored 5/7 points, S. Eshaan (Under-10) 3/7, M. Ritwik (Under-8) 3/7, J.S. Virat (Under-14) 2.5/7 and T. Easanth (Under-8) 2/7.
All five players performed well and represented the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with dedication, enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Their participation in this international-level championship provided valuable competitive exposure and an opportunity to learn, gain experience and further develop their chess skills.
The Andaman Nicobar Chess Association (ANCA) congratulates all five players on their efforts and participation. The Association also appreciates the support and encouragement extended by their parents, coaches and well-wishers, which plays an important role in nurturing young chess talent in the islands.
