Darpan Irani wins 18th National Chess Championship for visually challenged

IANS April 7, 2025 143 views

In a thrilling display of skill, Darpan Irani from Gujarat has clinched the 18th National Chess Championship for visually challenged players. The tournament, organized by the All-India Chess Federation for the Blind, featured 54 exceptional players from across India competing at the highest level. Spiritual leader Chandra Bhanu Satpathy emphasized the remarkable mental strength and strategy demonstrated by these athletes. The event not only crowned champions but also celebrated the incredible resilience and intellectual prowess of visually challenged chess players.

"Chess is a game, but it is also a showcase of strategy, patience, and perseverance" - Chandra Bhanu Satpathy
Bhubaneswar, April 7: The 18th National Chess Championship for the visually challenged saw an exhilarating finale with Gujarat’s Darpan Irani crowned the National Champion, edging past multiple-time winner Kisan Gangolli on tie-breaks after both players finished with 7.5 points.

Key Points

1

Darpan Irani wins championship on tie-breaks against Kisan Gangolli

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54 players from 15 states competed in intense tournament

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Top players represent India in international competitions

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Event celebrated at SAI International Residential School

The top five winners of the championship were: Darpan Irani (Champion), Kisan Gangolli (Runner-Up), Aryan B Joshi (Third), Soundarya Pradhan (Fourth) and Milind Samant (Fifth) while players placed sixth to tenth also received recognition and rewards for their outstanding performance.

The competition, organised by the All-India Chess Federation for the Blind (AICFB) in collaboration with the Odisha Chess Association for the Visually Challenged (OCAVC), featured 54 skilled players (52 men and 2 women) from 15 states and union territories, including top-ranked names like Aryan B Joshi, Soundarya Kumar Pradhan, Milind Samant and more.

During the tournament, a grand felicitation ceremony was held at SAI International Residential School, where spiritual thinker, scholar and humanitarian Chandra Bhanu Satpathy inspired and honoured the champions.

Among them were accomplished players like Soundarya Pradhan, Kisan Gangolli, Aryan B Joshi and Darpan Irani, all of whom have represented India and won accolades at prestigious international tournaments including the World Team Championship 2022 and the Asian Para Games.

"It is a real inspiration to see the unshakeable will and intellectual acumen of these talented players. Chess is a game, but it is also a showcase of strategy, patience, and perseverance - attributes these champions have upheld in the face of adversity. This championship is a strong reminder that the greatest strength is in the mind and spirit," said Satpathy.

The prize distribution ceremony was graced by Deepankar Mohapatra (IAS), Director, Department of Sports & Youth Services, M Manjunath serving as Chief Arbiter, supported by K R Pradhan and Pinky Mohapatra and Amitabh Agnihotri, principal, SAI Residential School.

Reader Comments

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Priya M
What an incredible achievement! Darpan's victory shows that determination truly knows no bounds. Chess is such a mentally demanding game - these players are absolute inspirations 👏
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Rahul K
While I admire the players' skills, I wish there was more coverage of the women participants. Only 2 out of 54 players were women - we need to encourage more female participation in these championships.
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Anjali S
My cousin is visually impaired and plays chess - it's amazing how they memorize the board positions! This championship gives me hope that more opportunities are opening up for differently abled athletes. Darpan is a hero!
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Vikram P
Kisan Gangolli is a legend! Though he came second this time, his consistency over the years is remarkable. The competition must have been intense - winning on tie-breaks shows how close it was!
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Sanjana T
The quote about chess showcasing strategy, patience and perseverance is so true! These players embody that spirit perfectly. Would love to see more media coverage of such inspiring events ❤️
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Nitin R
As a chess enthusiast, I'm curious about the tie-break system they used. The article mentions Darpan won on tie-breaks but doesn't specify the criteria. Would appreciate more technical details about the competition format.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Chess Championship Visually Challenged Players Darpan Irani National Sports Adaptive Sports
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