CHECKMATE! MOMENT: SRMS ENGINEERING & RESEARCH COLLEGE’s ₹51,000 CHESS MARATHON CROWNS STRATEGY, SKILL & CONSISTENCY

With the first session concluding on a high, anticipation builds as Session Two of the tournament will be announced soon…

Strategy met stamina in a true test of minds as SRMS College of Engineering, Technology & Research (CETR), Bareilly successfully organised a Trust-Level Prize Money Chess Tournament, held over an extended and unique format from May 2025 to January 2026.

Designed to go beyond quick wins, the tournament focused on analytical thinking, strategic planning, discipline and sportsmanship, giving players the rare opportunity to prove consistency and skill development over time. With a total prize pool of ₹51,000, the event emerged as a highly competitive and motivating platform to nurture emerging chess talent.

A total of 32 players, divided into four pools, competed in a league-cum-knockout format, ensuring fair play, transparency and equal opportunity at every stage. The first session alone witnessed 150+ matches across five intense rounds, including semi-finals and the final. To sustain momentum and reward excellence, top performers in each pool during the initial rounds were recognised with cash prizes, ₹750 for first position and ₹500 for second, highlighting consistency as much as victory.

Winners & Top Performers
• Winner: Aditya Raj (Batch 2024, SRMS IMS) – ₹15,000
• Runner-up: Mohd. Hanzal (Batch 2022, SRMS IMS) – ₹10,000
• 3rd Position: Shubhanshu Jadaun (Batch 2024, SRMS IMS) – ₹5,000
• 4th Position: Akash Singh (Batch 2023, SRMS IMS) – ₹2,500