Eight players, four each in the boys’ and girls’ categories, were selected to represent Andhra Pradesh at the National Under-19 Chess Championship to be held in October after emerging successful in the State-Level Under-19 Chess Championship that concluded in Visakhapatnam. The tournament was organised by the Visakha Chess Association and Aditya Chess Academy under the aegis of the Andhra Chess Association.

According to the organisers, 240 players from across the State participated in the two-day championship. The selection process was overseen by Andhra Chess Association president Adusumilli Suresh, secretary Jagadish, vice-president Venkateswara Rao and the tournament director.

In the boys’ section, Alluri Bhaskara Ratna Shanmukha Reddy of East Godavari secured first place, followed by Gnana Sai Santhosh of Kakinada, Majji Ram Charan Tej of East Godavari and Jayaprakash Vanam of Kakinada. In the girls’ section, Sharvani Cheedipalli of NTR district finished first, while Sravya Sri Bhimarasetti of Anakapalle, Himisha of Visakhapatnam and Gorli Naina of Visakhapatnam completed the top four. The eight players qualified to represent the State at the National championship.

The championship was inaugurated by Assistant Commissioner of Police Lakshmana Murthy and Sri Viswa Educational Institutions directors Siva Ganesh and Sivaji, who made the ceremonial first move.

The valedictory function was attended by Andhra Chess Association CEO Neelima Balli, All Visakha Association president Rangala Babu Rao, Anakapalle district secretary Amalakantha Srinivasa Rao, representatives of Aditya Chess Academy, and officials of Sri Viswa Educational Institutions, among others.