Aditya Jena, a Class VII student from Kalinga Nagar DAV Public School, clinched the title at the Pragativadi State Open Chess Championship held at the Pragativadi Amrut Mahotsav Hall on Thursday.
The young prodigy secured the championship with an impressive 4.5 points out of 5 rounds, showcasing exceptional skill in the intense competition.
Debi Prasad Nayak, a law student from Utkal University, finished a close second, also with 4.5 points, but edged out on tiebreakers. Satyajit Senapati from Chandrasekharpur DAV Public School took third place with 4 points, while Nirek Parida from Cuttack DAV SCB Medical Public School secured fourth with the same score.
Special recognition went to Aris Nand Goswami from Unit-8 DAV Public School, who was nominated for the Jury Award with 4 points. The highlight of the event was 6-year-old Aaradhya Maharana from Laxmisagar Swamiji Public School, a Class I student, who was honoured as the youngest participant, inspiring everyone with her participation.
The five-round tournament attracted 47 enthusiastic players from schools and colleges across the region. Notable participants included Om Satapathy, Swastik Behera, Ayushman Behera, Ayush Parida, and many others, reflecting the growing interest in chess at the grassroots level.
Chief Arbiter Debashish Panigrahi managed the matches efficiently, assisted by senior sports journalist Manorajan Das. A prize distribution ceremony will soon be organised at the Pragativadi premises, where winners will receive trophies and cash prizes, and all participants will be awarded certificates
This chess event is part of Pragativadi Sports-2025, which includes multiple disciplines such as cricket, carrom, table tennis, badminton, yoga, and musical chair, aimed at fostering sports development at the grassroots.
