Madhavendra and Pratitee become the National Under-9 Champions 2022

Two new champions in the National Under-9

In tournaments like the National Under-9 Championships, it is very rare to see a player crowned champion for two years in a row. This year was no exception - Madhavendra Pratap Sharma (1585, MP ) and Pratitee Bordoloi (1201, Karnataka) won the National Under-9 Open and Girls Chess Championships respectively. While Pratitee's victory was more or less secured after her penultimate round win, Madhavendra won the final round game in a must-win situation to clinch the cup.

Both of the winners grabbed a cheque of Rs.50,000, a beautiful winners trophy and medal. All the participants of the tournament received participation certificates and medals! The total prize fund of the tournament was INR 5,00,000.

The homeboy lifts the Cup

It was a very tight race to the top till the very end in the Open section. Going into the final round, Aarav Sarbalia 91458, Karnataka) had a half-point lead over his closest competitor, Madhavendra Pratap Sharma (1585, MP). Madhavendra found himself in a must-win situation in the final round, and he delivered under pressure!

MPL National U9 Round 11 Open: Rahul Ramakrishnan (1386, Puducherry) - Madhavendra Pratap Sharma (1585, MP) : 1-0

Keeping true to his aggressive nature of play, Madhavendra chose an uncompromising opening - the Dutch defense, and started a huge attack on the Queenside with the Black pieces. Even though White was objectively fine after getting the Bishop pair for a Rook, it was very difficult practically.

It is very important that the light-squared Bishop stay on c2, and this is what Rahul missed. A much better move would've been Qxd1, because now after ...Ra1+ White has Bb1! Believe it or not, but White can actually come out of this with a better position after Bb1 Rfa8 h5! Qg2 Qf1!

However, 26.Bxd1 just allows 26...Ra1+ 27. Kb2 Rfa8 28. Rg1 Qe6! and now the Black queen joins in as well for a decisive attack towards the White King. There were faster ways to win, but Madhavendra chose the easier route of just being up an exchange and won the game comfortably.

Balanandan Ayyappan (1267, Kerala) - Aarav Sarbalia (1458, Karnataka) : 0.5-0.5

This was the Board one battle, and Aarav had to win if he wanted to clinch the trophy without any complications. A draw could've sufficed if Madhavendra drew, but since Madhavendra won, a draw couldn't cut it as the local star had a better tiebreak score. The game itself was quite even - if someone had a better chance of winning, it was Balanandan but Aarav always had enough drawing resources. 

This draw sealed Madhavendra's victory, as he had the better tiebreaks score! Aarav came in second, both of them scored 10 points each. This draw helped Balanandan as well, he finished 3rd with 8.5 points.

The Karnataka effect in girls

All of the top 3 finishers in the girls section were from Karnataka! Pratitee Bordoloi (1201, Karnataka) already had a full-point lead going into the final round, and a draw in the final round sealed her tournament victory with an unbeaten run.

Round 11 Girls: Aahna Gulati (1156, Haryana) - Pratitee Bordoloi (1201, Karnataka): 0.5-0.5

Pratitee was actually up a pawn in the final position, and had a significantly better position with the Black pieces. But a draw sufficed, so she took the draw offer and became the National Under-9 Girls Champion 2022 with an amazing 9.5/11.

Aadya Gowda (1099, Karnataka) - Dishita Dey (1038, Jharkhand): 1-0

Aadya had a much better position out of the opening, but some minor pieces were traded and it was back to equality. However, Dishita blundered in the resulting Queen and Rook endgame:

It was very important to keep the Queen's on the board with ...Rf7, as this keeps chances of drawing with perpetual check alive for Black. However, the Rook is completely lost for Black after 37.Qxf7+ Rxf7 38. Rd3, because there are just too many weak pawns, and White has a Queenside majority. Aadya went on to win the game, displaying good technique and bagging the 2nd place with 8.5/11.

Aadya Ranganath (1327, Karnataka) vs Pooja Shree R (1091, Tamil Nadu): 1-0

Aadya Ranganath pulled off the biggest swindle of the day against Pooja Shree R. She had a completely lost position with the White pieces, but suddenly it started becoming a bit complicated and finally her opponent made a critical error.

This was the critical error which turned the game from losing to winning for White. Black can simply play ...Qb3! forking the Rook and Bishop, and it's game over after Rd2 Qxg3 d7 Qe1+. But after 36...Qd7? White is the one who's winning with 37. e5!. The passed pawns ran down the middle of the board and Aadya converted the game to a win flawlessly, thus bagging the 3rd place.

Photo Gallery

For more photos of Round 11, click here.

Full Facebook album of all National Under-9 Photos

Open section Round 11 games

Girls section Round 11 games

Final Standings (Girls)

Full standings

Standings after Round 11 (Open)

Full standings

The MPL 35th National U9 Championship 2022 is taking place in Indore Public School. The total prize fund of this mega event is Rs. 5 lakhs. The event is being organized by the Madhya Pradesh State Chess Ad Hoc Committee. This is an 11-round classical event which will run from 25th December 2022 - 2nd January 2023. The time control of the event is 90 minutes +30 seconds increment for each move. The total Prize fund of the tournament is INR 5,00,000.

Important links

ChessBase India playlist of the National Under-9 Championships 2022

IPSA Indore Facebook page

IPS Academy Indore YouTube

Indore Public School Facebook

Indore Public School Website

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