CHESS
India’s Iniyan wins Cannes Open chess
Indian Grandmaster Pa Iniyan won the Cannes International Open, defeating compatriot V Pranesh in the ninth and final round in Cannes, France.
Iniyan ended the tournament on 7.5 points, a half point more than Delhi-based International Master Aradhya Garg, who finished second.
Matching Garg on seven points was reigning World junior champion Kazybek Noderbek of Kazakhstan, who had to be content with the third place following a tiebreak.
Iniyan remained undefeated through the course of the tournament scoring six wins and three draws.
The Indian picked up the necessary steam in the last three rounds winning one game after another and his most crucial victory was over Garg in the penultimate round.
The result helped Iniyan gain 12 rating points and is now closing in on the 2600 Elo barrier, taking his rating to 2579.
The 38th edition of the open tournament ended on Sunday and witnessed a participation of 147 players from 25 countries. A total of six Grandmasters and 21 International Masters took part in the event.
-PTI
HOCKEY
Hockey Women’s Senior Nationals: Assam Hockey defeated Hockey Association of Bihar in Division B on Day 3
Assam Hockey players in action against Hockey Association of Bihar.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Assam Hockey players in action against Hockey Association of Bihar.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Assam Hockey edged out a 2-1 win over Hockey Association of Bihar on the third day of Division B during the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship, at the Tau Devi Lal Hockey Stadium, Panchkula.
After a tightly contested first quarter, Assam Hockey broke the deadlock right before half-time as Captain Munmuni Das (29’) successfully converted a penalty corner to take the lead. The winning side was tight with its defence and ensured it held its slim lead through the third quarter. The game opened up again moments before the final whistle as Khushboo Prajapati (59’) converted another penalty corner for Assam Hockey. The very next minute, Hockey Association of Bihar registered a consolation goal coming from Nusrat Khatoon. With this win Assam Hockey have opened their account while Hockey Association of Bihar continue to struggle.
In a Division C match from yesterday (Sunday), Hockey Andhra Pradesh recorded a 4-2 win against Hockey Jammu and Kashmir in their Pool B game. Revathi Thalari (3’, 17’) scored a crucial brace for her side while Harathi Lomada (36’) and Madugula Bhavani (45’) also contributed with the goals for Hockey Andhra Pradesh. Rajni (10’) and Anju Kumari (57’) were the goalscorers for Hockey Jammu and Kashmir.
In the last Division C match from yesterday, Le Puducherry Hockey enjoyed a dominant 6-1 win over Hockey Arunachal in Pool B. Jayaprtha S (13’, 39’, 41’) scored an impressive hattrick with the other three goals came from B Deepika (4,’ 22’) and S Subasri (40’). Hema Navait (5’) was the lone goalscorer for Hockey Arunachal.
– Team Sportstar
WINTER SPORTS
Khelo India Winter Games to be held in Gulmarg from March 9 to 12
The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 will be held at Gulmarg from March 9 to 12 following heavy snowfall over the past few days in the higher reaches of the valley.
The Winter Games, which were earlier scheduled to be held from February 22 to 25, had to be postponed due to lack of snow at Gulmarg with Kashmir witnessing one of its driest winters in recent history.
“We are all set to host the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 from March 9 to 12. Top winter sports athletes from across the country are expected to participate in the event,” Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council secretary Nuzhat Gul told PTI.
This is the second leg of the Winter games where competitions will be held in skiing and snowboarding.
The first leg of the games were held in Leh district of Ladakh in January this year where athletes competed in ice-skating and ice-hockey events.
-PTI
