Kohima, May 26 (EMN): 28-year-old Kevilekho Zumvo of Chiechama village emerged as the champion of the 16th edition of Nagaland Chess Challenger Tournament 2017 at Red Cross Conference Hall on Friday. The four-day tournament was organised by Nagaland Chess Association (NCA).
Kevilekho Zumvo received cash prize Rs.15,000/- along with trophy and citation. While Khrielie Sano and Mughato Awomi were declared first and second runner-up respectively and received a cash prize with trophy and citation. Sede Nagi and Viseyie Yano bagged the 4th and 5th place respectively.
Sourav Singh, Kendriya Vidyalaya Khatkhuti, Dimapur clinched the title for U-17 category and received a cash of Rs. 5,000/- with trophy and citation, while Nipeto Hesso of Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima and Shenikali Hesso of Coraggio School Kohima were declared first and second runner-up respectively and received a cash prize along with trophy and citation.
40 players from across the state including 6 school students were part of the tournament, with 25 players in the open category and 15 players U-17 category.
NCA president K Sekhamo informed that the top four players i.e. Kevilekho Zumvo, Khrielie Sano, Mughato Awomi and Sede Nagi will be taking part in the forthcoming 55th National Chess Challenger Championship that will be held at Gujarat from August 13 to 23 this year.
Meanwhile, Sekhamo said Nagaland is the only state in the northeast that is yet to host the North East State Championship, he said due to financial constraint from the Government, the association is yet to host the tournament. He also informed that the annual edition of the North East State Championship was held at Shillong this year and is scheduled to play in Guwahati next year.
Sekhamo also expressed his desire for a full fledged chess instructor from the Government who is currently under ad-hoc, so that the association will be able to organise training courses for school going students.
New office bearers were also elected for an interim period of one year, with P. Khezhie as the president and Sukhavi Achumi as vice president. It also notified that the presidents of all the district chess association will be a member of the executive.
