The Andaman and Nicobar Islands witnessed one of their most competitive chess events in recent years as the State Chess Championship 2025 concluded at the Marine Hall, Port Blair. Over three days of intense competition, 270 players from across the islands vied for the coveted title, making the tournament the largest and most challenging in the state’s chess calendar.
The event, spread over nine rounds of classical chess, tested both skill and endurance. With each game timed at 30 minutes per player and a 30-second increment per move, players were forced to combine strategy with time management, creating suspenseful finishes in several rounds. By the end of the final game, it was Lalith B who emerged as the State Champion, clinching the title on the basis of superior tie-break scores.
The championship remained undecided until the very last round, as three players – Lalith B, J S Virat, and V Yashwant, finished with identical scores of eight points each. The tie-break system, which factors in the strength of opponents faced, was used to separate the contenders. Lalith’s consistency and the quality of his opposition proved decisive, allowing him to lift the trophy while Virat settled for runner-up and Yashwant took third place. Shrestha Vijay D, finishing with 7.5 points, secured the fourth position, completing the quartet of top performers.
The top 20 players received trophies, cash prizes, and certificates in recognition of their achievements. Beyond the accolades, the tournament carried an additional incentive for the top four players, who earned the right to represent the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the 62nd National Chess Championship, scheduled in Andhra Pradesh next month. Their participation will ensure that the islands are represented on the national stage, offering local talent a chance to measure themselves against the best players from across India.
The competition drew participants from every corner of the union territory, underlining the growing appeal of chess in the islands. For many of the younger players, the championship offered valuable exposure to formal, high-pressure matches that go beyond school or club-level play. With 270 entrants, organisers hailed the turnout as a record, a sign of both increased interest in the game and the effectiveness of grassroots promotion.
Chess has been gaining steady ground in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with clubs and schools introducing the game to students as part of extra-curricular activities. The discipline is seen as particularly suited to the islands, where limited space and resources often make it difficult to support large outdoor sporting infrastructure. Chess, requiring little more than a board and pieces, has become a preferred avenue for encouraging strategic thinking and concentration among children.
The 2025 edition of the State Championship reinforced this trend. Spectators at Marine Hall described the tournament as one of the most closely contested in years, with several underdogs pushing higher-rated players to the limit. The suspense of tie-break calculations at the end added to the drama, keeping players, coaches, and parents on edge until the announcement of the final standings.
For Lalith B, the championship was the culmination of years of dedication. His victory was seen as a reward for steady progress through the ranks of local tournaments, where he consistently demonstrated both discipline and creativity. Virat and Yashwant, finishing narrowly behind, also showcased the depth of talent emerging from the islands, ensuring that Andaman’s representation at the nationals will be competitive.
The significance of qualifying for the 62nd National Chess Championship cannot be overstated. National-level competition provides exposure to grandmasters, international masters, and rising stars from across India. For the four qualifiers, it is an opportunity not only to test their skills but also to gain recognition and experience that could shape future careers. The Andaman & Nicobar Chess Association has already urged the top four to confirm their participation by August 20, failing which reserves from the merit list will be considered.
Beyond individual victories, the championship also carried broader implications for the chess community in the islands. The large turnout underscored the importance of organising regular, high-quality tournaments to sustain interest. With limited avenues for professional exposure, local players often rely on state championships to measure progress and gain rating points. Events like these also serve as inspiration for younger players, who witness firsthand the rewards of discipline and strategy.
Organisers credited the success of the championship to the collective efforts of volunteers, coaches, and local chess enthusiasts who ensured smooth conduct across nine rounds. The Marine Hall venue, with its capacity to host large numbers of participants simultaneously, proved ideal, allowing matches to proceed without disruption.
As the trophies were handed out and players dispersed at the end of the three-day event, the sense of achievement was palpable. For the winners, it was recognition of skill; for the younger participants, it was a valuable lesson in patience and perseverance. Above all, for the chess community in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the 2025 State Championship reaffirmed that the game continues to grow in both popularity and quality.
The spotlight now shifts to Andhra Pradesh, where the national championship will test the islands’ top players against the country’s best. Whether or not they achieve podium finishes, the very act of competing at that level ensures that chess in the Andamans remains connected to India’s broader sporting landscape. The State Championship of 2025, remembered for its intensity and suspense, will stand as a milestone in that ongoing journey.
