Infant Jesus School Hosts Inter-School Rapid Chess Tournament at Modankap
Bantwal: Infant Jesus English Medium School, Modankap, Bantwal, in association with Derik’s Chess School, organised a one-day inter-school rapid chess tournament for children at the Infant Jesus Church Hall, Modankap, on August 9, 2026.
More than 200 players from across the district participated in the tournament, which was conducted in eight categories.
The tournament was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Victor D’Souza, Parish Priest and Joint Secretary of Infant Jesus English Medium School, by lighting the traditional lamp. He emphasised the importance of children participating in games such as chess, which help enhance their mental abilities.
Chief guest Dr. Chaitra Bhat, a renowned surgeon, also spoke on the occasion. She observed that although chess may appear to be a simple game at first glance, it is highly intricate, with almost infinite possibilities arising from the various moves.
Rev. Fr. Melwin Lobo, Headmaster; Deric Pinto, Founder of Derik’s Chess School; and chess promoter Chandrashekhar Bhandary were also present on the dais.
Prizes were distributed at a colourful valedictory ceremony by Rev. Fr. Melwin Lobo, Headmaster; Deric Pinto, Founder of Derik’s Chess School; Prasanna Rao, Co-founder of Derik’s Chess School; and Koushik R., Chief Arbiter.
Top Three Overall Winners
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga
- Lourdes Central School
- Vivekananda English Medium School, Puttur
Individual Winners
Under-8 Girls
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuresha Z. Varawalla | St. Aloysius Gonzaga | 5 |
| 2 | Snithi Bhat | Sharada PU College, Kodialbail, Mangaluru | 4 |
| 3 | Ishanvi Reddy B. | ELC | 3 |
| 4 | Hishma Fathima | Lourdes Central School, Mangaluru | 3 |
| 5 | Athreyi | Shanthi Pani | 2 |
Under-8 Boys
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aarav P. A. | St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Mangaluru | 6 |
| 2 | S. Aadhvik | Lourdes Central School | 5 |
| 3 | Sriyansh Praveen | Lourdes Central School | 5 |
| 4 | Priston Rayden Pinto | ICSK Junior | 4 |
| 5 | Vansh Alva | Canara High School CBSE | 4 |
Under-10 Girls
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niha Shivani Shetty | LCR English Medium School, Kakyapadav | 4½ |
| 2 | K. M. Vidithaa Bhat | Ambika Vidyalaya CBSE, Bappalige, Puttur | 4 |
| 3 | Suhani N. | Vittal Jaycees English Medium School, Vitla | 4 |
| 4 | Shreema U. R. | Vivekananda English Medium School, Puttur | 4 |
| 5 | Muktha Shetty | Ambika Vidyalaya CBSE, Bappalige, Puttur | 3½ |
Under-10 Boys
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prasang P. Naik | Lourdes Central School, Bejai, Mangaluru | 6 |
| 2 | Aarav S. Meludurgamutt | Canara High School CBSE | 5 |
| 3 | Agastya Rao | Sri Vani School, Pavanje | 5 |
| 4 | Chirag Krishna V. | St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Mangaluru | 5 |
| 5 | Shamit Sunil Chittal | Canara School, Dongerkery | 5 |
Under-13 Girls
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janvi Mallya | Canara, Dongerkery | 5 |
| 2 | Prajna S. Rao | Sri Vani School, Pavanje | 4 |
| 3 | Sumalatha A. Kovalan | Sri Vani School, Pavanje | 4 |
| 4 | Avani Bhat | Canara, Dongerkery | 4 |
| 5 | Krithika M. | Vivekananda English Medium School, Puttur | 4 |
Under-13 Boys
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anvith Shetty P. | Podar International School, Mangaluru | 6 |
| 2 | Stalan Andrade | Sacred Heart English Medium School, Madanthyar | 5½ |
| 3 | Bhavith Pradeep Shetty | Podar International School, Mangaluru | 5 |
| 4 | Ashrith B. O. | Carmel School, Pandeshwar, Mangaluru | 5 |
| 5 | Patrick Riyan Pinto | ICSK Junior | 5 |
Under-16 Girls
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adya Prasad | St. Victor’s Girls’ High School, Puttur | 5 |
| 2 | Zaara Khazi | St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Mangaluru | 4 |
| 3 | Ananya P. Bhat | Sharada PU College, Kodialbail, Mangaluru | 3 |
| 4 | Veekitha G. | NITK | 3 |
| 5 | Flavita Livia D’Souza | Sacred Heart | 3 |
Under-16 Boys
| Rank | Name | School | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | K. Manvith Rai | VEMS, Puttur | 5 |
| 2 | Rishal Satvik Suresh | Mount Carmel Central School | 4½ |
| 3 | Shreesha P. | Balavikas English Medium School, Mani | 4½ |
| 4 | Adithya Thanush P. | St. Mary’s English Medium School, Laila, Belthangady | 4½ |
| 5 | Daksh | Indraprastha Vidyalaya, Uppinangady | 4 |
