International Master R. Raja Rithvik of Hyderabad bagged Gold Medal for Telangana in the Under-15 National Chess Championship-2019 held at Erode, Tamilnadu from 9th July to 17th July 2019.
Rithvik, studying 10th class in Orchids International School, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad got the National title by scoring 9.5 points out of 11 rounds in the prestigious National games organized by AICF. Out of 11 rounds, Rithvik has won 8 games and drew 3 games. Raja Rithvik has got the distinction of being the only undefeated player in the tournament. Kushagra Mohan, who is also from Telangana got Silver Medal with a score of 9.0 points. Both Gold and Silver Medals are bagged by Telangana State.
Raja Rithvik defeated Ajay Karthikeyan of Tamilnadu in the final round and emerged as the outright winner. In the Queens Pawn London System Opening, Raja Rithvik has played the attacking game from the beginning and defeated the opponent in 40 moves. Playing with the black pieces, Raja Rithvik has refused the draw offer given by his opponent at 33rd move and eventually won the game and has become the National under-15 Champion.
More than 150 top players from all states such as Tamilnadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, New Delhi, West Bengal, Goa, Karnataka, Orissa, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh have participated in the National games organized by All India Chess Federation at Erode, Tamilnadu.
By virtue of winning this prestigious National Under-15 Championship, International Master Raja Rithvik is now selected to represent India in the upcoming Asian Youth Championship to be held at Srilanka.
