India Continues Dominance in Commonwealth Blitz Chess Championship

India once again stamped its authority on the Commonwealth Chess Championship by producing a remarkable performance in the Blitz format, collecting a massive 33 medals out of the 51 medals awarded across all categories. The Indian contingent secured 12 Gold, 12 Silver and 9 Bronze medals, reaffirming the country’s supremacy in the championship.

The host nation Sri Lanka also impressed with a strong showing, winning 5 Gold, 4 Silver and 6 Bronze medals. Canada claimed one Silver medal, while Bangladesh and Mauritius secured one Bronze medal each.

The Open section witnessed a clean sweep by Indian players. Iniyan Pa continued his excellent form by clinching the Blitz title after earlier winning the Rapid crown as well. Fellow Indians Rohith Krishna S and Srihari L R completed the podium by taking Silver and Bronze respectively.

In the Women’s category, host favourite Sri Lankan Women Champion Sanudula K M Dahamdi emerged victorious to bag the Gold medal for Sri Lanka. Her compatriot Newansa M Esandi secured the Silver medal, while experienced Indian campaigner Mary Ann Gomes finished with the Bronze medal.

Meanwhile, in the ongoing Standard event, third seed Mitrabha Guha moved into the sole lead in the Open section with 5.5 points after the completion of six rounds. With three rounds remaining, he holds a slender half-point advantage over a chasing pack comprising second seed Ethan Vaz, fifteenth seed Lim Zhuo Ren and local hopeful Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage.