NAGPUR: Nihansh Khode is just six years old, and after becoming Nagpur's youngest Elo rated chess master in all three formats earlier this year, the city's prodigy surprised seeded and senior opponents to win his first open rapid tournament.
At the second edition of the RCA Open Rapid Chess tournament held recently at the Saisha Enterprises hall on Nara Road, Nihansh remained unbeaten to clinch the seven-round event, garnering full seven points. A total of 89 players of all age categories, including senior men, women and 22 Elo rated masters from across the city, participated in the day-long tournament. With an international rating of 1511 Elo in the rapid format, Nihansh was given a starting rank of 10.
He started his campaign with a facile win over eight-year-old Mohak Gokhe while defending with the black pieces in the opening round. In the second essay, Nihansh made the most of his opening advantage with the white pieces to get the better of Kia Bhonge before surprising 11-year-old Vihaan Walde in the third round.
In the fourth round, young Nihansh stunned second-seeded and 35-year-old experienced Nilesh Wasnik to share the lead with three others at the halfway mark of the tournament. Nihansh continued his winning march in the following round when he outclassed 14-year-old Rupak Paunikar while defending with his black pieces. With this win, Nihansh shared the lead with Arena Candidate Master (ACM) Swara Gandhi. In the sixth and penultimate round, Nihansh made the most of his opening advantage to get the better of 11th-seeded Swara and jumped to sole lead.
Though Nihansh needed a draw in the final round to clinch the title, he continued to play attacking chess and stunned eighth-seeded Aarush Wasnik. With the seventh-round win, Nihansh finished the tournament on top of the table while giving a performance rating of 2097.
Earlier this year, Nihansh became Nagpur's youngest player to secure the Fide rating in Classical, Rapid, and Blitz categories of the sport.
