By Angel Golda for BIS Mumbai

The 1st Rapid Chess Tournament, organised by Sahil Chess Academy in collaboration with The Stellar Don Bosco Academy, Nerul, was held on November 1, 2026 at the Don Bosco Academy, Don Bosco Campus, Seawoods, Navi Mumbai.

The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from 234 players across five categories: Under-07, Under-09, Under-11, Under-13 and Open. The category-wise participation included 32 players in U07, 56 in U09, 50 in U11, 42 in U13 and 54 in the Open category.

As part of the institution's commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities, 20 players from underprivileged backgrounds were provided free entry to participate in the tournament. This initiative ensured that financial constraints did not become a barrier to participation and encouraged young talents from disadvantaged communities to showcase their abilities.

The tournament was inaugurated at 9 a.m. by Fr Allwyn Misquitta. While addressing the gathering, he spoke about the importance of chess in children's education and how the game helps develop critical thinking, concentration, problem-solving skills, confidence and discipline. The first round commenced at 9:15 a.m. Each category was scheduled to play six rounds, as mentioned in the tournament brochure. The matches were conducted in the air-conditioned playing hall, with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 5-second increment from move one.

The tournament was supported by 10 officials from the Thane District Chess Association (TDCA), comprising one Chief Arbiter, one Deputy Chief Arbiter, one System Arbiter and seven Field Arbiters. They coordinated the tournament, managed the playing systems and ensured the smooth and fair conduct of the matches.

The tournament featured an overall prize fund of ₹32,000, along with 110 trophies, 20 medals and 25 cash prizes. Trophies were awarded across categories, including separate recognition for boys and girls, as well as a Veterans category. Medals were awarded in the U09, U11, U13 and Open categories.

Towards the end of the tournament, awards, trophies and certificates were distributed to recognise the winners and participants for their performance and participation. The event concluded with the category-wise prize distributions by 2:30 p.m.

With 234 players participating across five categories, the tournament provided an engaging platform for chess enthusiasts of different age groups. The collaboration between Sahil Chess Academy and The Stellar Don Bosco Academy promoted chess, strategic thinking, concentration, discipline and sportsmanship. The provision of free entry to 20 underprivileged players further reflected the Academy's commitment to social inclusion and equal opportunities in sports.