GMS Gaili hosts first Inter-School Chess Tournament

KOHIMA — Government Middle School (GMS) Gaili under Ngwalwa Circle, Peren district, hosted the first Inter-School Chess Tournament on Friday, drawing 49 young players for a one-day rapid event.

Organised by the Senior SDEO Peren under the aegis of the Nagaland Chess Association, the competition aimed to nurture strategic thinking and provide students with a platform to excel beyond academics.

Teams from GMS Gaili, Government High School Ngwalwa, Springfield School Ruzhaphema Block III, and Government High School Heningkunglwa participated. The seven-round Swiss league format gave each player 15 minutes with a five-second increment per move, ensuring a competitive yet fair environment.

Also read: Two-week free shooting training, competition begins in Dimapur

Springfield School dominated the top spots with Akangzang Haikam emerging champion with 6.5 points, followed by Icicang Haikam (1st runner-up, 6 points) and Ilung Haikam (2nd runner-up, 5.5 points). GMS Gaili students also secured strong finishes, with Keyileulungbe, Maheipeung, Lunghei, Mamnum Alom, Iheibe, and Vekutolu placing in the top ten.

The champion team title went to GMS Gaili, while winners received medals, certificates, and cash prizes. The tournament was directed by Chiheiding Haikube, Head Teacher of GMS Gaili, with Mengise Haikam, Senior National Arbiter, serving as Chief Arbiter, supported by 10 teacher-arbiters.