Nagaland State FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2026 concludes in Kohima with Kevilekho Zumvu winning the Open title.
DIMAPUR — The Nagaland State FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2026 concluded on Saturday at the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) office complex in Kohima, with Kevilekho Zumvu emerging as the Open category champion.
The 22nd edition of the championship, conducted for the first time as a FIDE-rated tournament in compliance with the FIDE Laws of Chess, was organised by the Nagaland Chess Association (NCA) under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), stated an update.
In the Open category, Kevilekho Zumvu won the title and received a cash prize of INR 50,000. Salhuto Nyekha secured second place and received INR 30,000, while Khrielie Sano finished third and was awarded INR 20,000.
Melesayi, Mughaho Awomi, Heilamgumbe Haikuibe, Bovito, Kughaho Kiho, Khoveto Vero and Vipulhou Lhoungu finished fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively.
The top four finishers in the Open category will represent Nagaland at the 63rd National Senior Chess Championship (Open) 2026 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, from December 28 to January 7.
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In the Under-11 category, Tezeve Doulo of Northfield School, Kohima, secured first place. Otsi Tunyi of Northfield School, Kohima; Apishe Kiba of St. Mary Higher Secondary School, Pudumpukhuri, Dimapur; Zhasazo Nagi of Minister's Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School, Kohima; and Damian Lyngdoh of G. Rio School, Kohima, finished second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
In the Best Female category, Choli Tunyi of Northfield School, Kohima, won the title, while Aloino Kiba and Lina Kiba, both of St. Mary Higher Secondary School, Pudumpukhuri, Dimapur, secured second and third places respectively.
In the Unrated category, Atoka H. Wotsa secured first place. Toivi Yepthomi, Neikehiezo Zinyu, Viseyie Yano and Mutuzo Lohe finished second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
K. Sekhamo was adjudged the Best Senior player (60 years and above), while Seluokuo Samuel Rame of Living Tree School, Kohima, was recognised as the youngest participant.
Winners in all categories received cash prizes, trophies and certificates.
Former NCA President Helie Rupreo, former NCA President K Sekhamo and Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Kohima College, Kohima, presented the prizes to the winners.
Helie Rupreo informed that Nagaland will host the North East Chess Championship 2026 in Dimapur from December 15 to the 19th.
Altogether, 75 participants took part in the tournament.