Another feather in Niri’s cap

Niranjan C. Navalgund of M V Herwadkar English Medium School, Belgaum, has been recently awarded with ‘Krida Ratna’ for the outstanding performance in chess in a span of three years, by the State Sports Organisation, Bijapur.

Niranjan has many accomplishments under his belt till date. He completed the FIDE International Chess Rating at the Fide International Chess Tournament ‘Rochess’ held in Thane (Maharashtra). He has played with top class players and finished the rating in a single tournament.

Niranjan's initial rating was of 1977 as per the list published by the International Chess Federation/FIDE, and he went on to represent North Karnataka for two consecutive years. There he won bronze medal in 2005 and under his leadership, his school bagged 4th place at the National-level School Games. He has qualified for the National Sub-junior 2007 from Karnataka state to be held in Chennai in the first week of October.

This young champ has won the Ist prize in the District-level Inter-school Tournament organised by the Belgaum District Chess Association and Belgaum Lions Midtown held at Mahila Vidyalaya. In 2003 he bagged IInd prize at the National-level Chess Tournament held in Sangli (Maharashtra).

He secured 10th place in under-15 years group in Karnataka State Tournament held in Mysore. He has created chess blogs which claimed appreciation from chess lovers, International Masters and India’s youngest Grand Master Parimarjan Negi.

The Board of management (especially the Headmistress) of M V Herwadkar English Medium School, Belgaum has always supported Niranjan. They even assisted him to participate in the Asian Chess Championship 2005.

Apart from being a chess champ, Niranjan is an excellent poet. He has penned many poems in English and Kanadda. He has also participated in various drawing competitions and won many prizes.

Due to lack of sponsors, he had missed many Asian and other international tournaments in the past. Definitely with financial assistance, Niranjan will add many more feathers to his already crowded cap.