Hyderabad: The prize distribution ceremony of the Ekagra International Open Rapid Chess Tournament held at the second hall of Hitex Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad was held with great pomp. Iniyan from Chennai, who emerged as the winner of the tournament was awarded the first prize with prize money of Rs 5 lakh. Mitroba guha was awarded Rs 3 lakh as the second prize and Harikrishna was awarded Rs 1 lakh as the third prize. The remaining amount, i.e. Rs 13 lakh 22 thousand 222, was distributed to the winners according to there various categories and rankings.
Speaking at the event as the chief guests, Varun Agarwal,and the tournament chairman Panasha Agarwal
said that chess plays a very important role in developing concentration and intelligence in children. She said that to excel in this sport, one has to practice hard and continuous effort is the way to success. Organizing such an international level chess tournament in Hyderabad
Congress leader Feroz Khan said it was a joy. He suggested that winning and losing are natural in the game, and that if you keep playing and moving forward, whether you win or lose, you will definitely succeed one day.
Speaking on the occasion, music director Anoop Rubens said that parents need to encourage the interest in children.
At the beginning of the program, the organizers specially praised twins Amaya Agarwal and Anay Agarwal from Hyderabad, who trained at Ekagra Academy and achieved the title of Candidate Master. They honored them, stating that their academy has received special recognition through these twins.
Academy Founder Director Sandeep Naidu said that his organization will soon organize international FIDE rated chess competitions and urged everyone to cooperate.
Film actor Gemini Suresh said that it was a pleasure to organize this tournament in Telangana with a huge prize money of Rs. 22,22,222 and that seeing this atmosphere, he had the idea of teaching chess to his children as well. He congratulated everyone who participated in these competitions.
Grandmasters Deepen, Sethuramen, international masters, coaches, Ekagra directors Chaitanya Naidu, Girish Reddy, and others participated in the program.
