Mumbai's Siddhant Bharti clinches top title at the Maharashtra State U7 Chess Championship 2019

Six-year-old Siddhant Bharti, a student of Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu emerged as the undisputed winner of the Maharashtra State Selection (under-7 open) Chess Championship that was recently held in Pune. The young prodigy clinched the title by winning all 9 rounds of the chess championship. In a truly remarkable feat, Siddhant scored a perfect 9/9 and defeated all the rated players in the tournament that concluded on March 17 (Sunday) in Khed Shivapur, Pune.

The championship witnessed roaring participation from young boys and girls, vying for the top title. 

Swadha Datir from Yavatmal claimed the under-7 title in the Girls category, scoring 6 1/2 points in eight rounds.

Siddhant, a trainee at Chanakya Chess Club in Mumbai, started learning the game 9 months back and was shifted to the “Intensive Training Program” of the institute just 6 months back, having shown exemplary talent.

Abhijit Hatkar - Partner at Chanakya Chess Club applauded the young lad, "Siddhant is a prodigy, he has learned the game very quickly and has been practicing diligently. Winning all the games against rated players is a big deal and we are proud of him and also proud of his team of coaches.”

Siddhant Bharti along with Aarush Dolas, Viraj Rane and Sreevaishnav Nair have been selected to officially represent Maharashtra state at the National Chess Championship to be held in Kolkata, West Bengal in June 2019.

Kudos to all the winners and hoping that the young talent garners more laurels in the times to come.