‘CHESS-A-THON 2025’ Draws Young Chess Talents to Mangalore
Mangalore: The St. Aloysius Higher Primary School Alumni Association, a constituent of the St. Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA), Mangalore, in collaboration with Chess Hive, successfully hosted the “CHESS-A-THON 2025” rapid chess tournament on Sunday, June 29th, 2025. The event, held at St. Aloysius Higher Primary School, Mangalore, attracted a strong contingent of chess players from across the Dakshina Kannada district and surrounding regions.
The tournament witnessed participation from approximately 300 students, competing across six distinct categories: Under 7, Under 9, Under 11, Under 13, Under 16, and Aloysius Alumni. The CHESS-A-THON provided a platform for young talents to showcase their skills in a competitive environment.
The tournament adhered to the Rapid format under Swiss-system rules, ensuring fair play and maximizing opportunities for participants. Each category comprised between five and seven rounds, testing the players’ endurance and strategic acumen. The top five finishers in each category were recognized with cash prizes, trophies, and certificates, while all participants received a certificate of participation acknowledging their engagement and performance.
A highly experienced team of arbiters, led by Chief Arbiter FA Sakshath UK, meticulously oversaw the tournament proceedings. The team included Denzil Cutinha, Subodh Kumar, SNA Nayana Kumar, NA Rahul, and Soundarya UK, ensuring adherence to regulations and fair adjudication.
A prominent highlight of CHESS-A-THON 2025 was a simultaneous exhibition (SIMUL) game featuring International Master (IM) Viani Dcunha. IM D’Cunha engaged with twelve students simultaneously, demonstrating his exceptional chess prowess and providing an invaluable learning experience for the young participants.
The inaugural program was graced by Mr. Michael D’Souza, a noted philanthropist, as the chief guest. Mr. Venkatesh Pai, Executive Director of Bharath Group of Companies, presided as the chief guest for the valedictory function, celebrating the achievements of the participants and acknowledging the success of the tournament.
The winners in each category were:
Under 7 Boys: 1st Place – Omkar Kamath K.
Under 7 Girls: 1st Place – Snithi Bhat.
Under 9 Boys: 1st Place – Kiyaansh D. Gowda
Under 9 Girls: 1st Place – Sanvitha Shetty
Under 11 Boys: 1st Place – Dhanush Maharanth
Under 11 Girls: 1st Place – Anne Rachel
Under 13 Boys: 1st Place – Aarush Bhat
Under 13 Girls: 1st Place – Niharika K
Under 16 Boys: 1st Place – Advaith U.P.
Under 16 Girls: 1st Place – Sanvi Chanila.
Alumni: 1st Place – Shiva Chethan Halamane
The success of CHESS-A-THON 2025 was made possible through the generous support of various sponsors and benefactors. Cavurey Tata Motors served as the main sponsor, with Ather Energy as the Associate Sponsor. The Alumni SSLC Batches of 1998-99 and 2000-01 also contributed significantly to the event. Bharath BookMark, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, IndusInd Bank, Edelweiss Life Insurance, and SIP Abacus further supported the tournament, demonstrating a strong commitment to promoting chess among young enthusiasts.