Sikkim chess team returns with 6 medals

GANGTOK, 10 Feb: Sikkim’s chess team has returned home with four gold, one silver, and one bronze medals from the 7th North-East FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2014 held at Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar from 29 January to 04 February 2014. The tournament was organized by the Arunachal Chess Federation [ACF].
The 14-member squad from Sikkim was led by the Coach cum FIDE Arbiter, Mahendra Dhakal who participated as a referee during the tournament. Around 200 players from the eight North Eastern states participated in the tourney.
Chitiz Rai [U-9 boys] bagged one gold medal and Priya Chhetri [U-9 girls] bagged one gold medal as well. In U-13 boys, Rahul Gurung won a gold medal whereas in U-19 girls, Sushmita Lama grabbed one silver medal and Manish Gurung won a bronze. Rohit Gurung [U-19 boys] also bagged one gold medal.
In open category, Rakesh Gurung secured 7th position.
While talking to NOW!, Coach Mr Dhakal, said that the team has performed better this year as compared to last year. “In fact, this time we have been placed in the top 10 as compared to last year where we were in the top 20”, he said.