The huge participation in The Hindu in School (THiS) chess competition-2016 held in Army Public School on K. Kamaraj Road reflected the large player base in the Garden City.

In the two-day event, presented by Thyrocare and held under the aegis of United Karnataka Chess Association (UKCA) affiliated to All India Chess Federation, over 200 children in both junior and senior categories participated.

Junior category

In the junior category (from classes 5 to 8), Pranav V., a student of Velammal Vidyalaya, Melayambakkam, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, bagged the first prize. The class 5 student, who was also the national champion in the under-9 category in 2015, was on a personal trip to Bengaluru as his father hails from the city.

Pranav, who also stood fourth at the Asian level chess competition last year, said he loves playing chess and it has helped him improve his grades in academics too. “I was pretty confident of bagging the top prize,” he said.

Theju K.V., a student of Sri Chaithanya Techno School, Hosur in Tamil Nadu, stood second, while Abhinav Bhatt, a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, RWF, took the third prize. Aryam Bhomik, a student of Army Public School, K. Kamaraj Road, Bengaluru, bagged the fourth prize.

Senior category

In the senior category (from classes 9 to 12), Arya Gopal, a student of Army Public School, PRTC, Bengaluru, displaying aggressive game, bagged the top prize. The class 9 student took the game seriously when he was in class 5. “Though chess skills are inborn, you need a coach to refine your skills. Earlier, I was a passive player. However, my coach told me to play an aggressive game. He also told me to study the opening moves of grandmasters and super grandmasters. I love the way Magnus Carlsen of Norway plays and in future, I aspire to be super grandmaster like him,” he said.

Aaron Aryan Fernandes, a student of National Hill View Public School (NHVPS), Rajarajeshwarinagar, Bengaluru, stood second. Diya Wadhera, a student of NHVPS bagged the third prize, while Ajan Antony, a student of Army Public School, K. Kamaraj Road, Bengaluru, took the fourth place.

Kakkera Venkateswaralu, general manager, Bank of Baroda, Karnataka, A.P. and Telangana Zone, was the chief guest at the valedictory function and gave away prizes to the winners. He said that his bank has always encouraged sports talents and Indian grandmaster Koneru Humpy was one of the beneficiaries. The winners received trophies and certificates from The Hindu , and gift vouchers from sponsors. All the participants received certificates.

Vasanth B.M., of UKCA was the chief arbiter, while Saleem, the deputy arbiter. The event was supported by Chess Shoots Academy. Bank of Baroda was the regional partner, while Sapna Book House and Ramanashree Brunton Hotel were the gift partners.

In the tournament held in Mysuru on Saturday, over 100 students took part. The event was supported by Mysore Chess Centre

The tournament held in Shivamogga on Sunday attracted over 150 students.

Consolation prize

Junior category: Basavesh Mrutyunjayappa; Vedant Anirudha Kulkarni; Manya Hegde; Renganayaki; Srivastav Manishika.

Senior category: Nitin Krishna M.; Jagadish; Annapurna B.A.; Kavyashri; Aishwarya M. Inchal.