The National Challengers Chess Championship started off to a grand note on Friday. As many as 236 players and 27 national masters across the country are taking part in the 50th edition of this ten-day championship in Tirupati. National Challengers Chess Championship is jointly organized by the national chess association and the state chess association.

On the first day of the championship, defending champion and International Master Vikramaditya Kulkarni has defeated Gujarat player Jalpan Bhatt. Another International Master Debashis  Das defeated Andhra Pradesh player Kotepalli Sai Nirupama.

One woman grandmaster and 213 international rated chess players are among the 236 players who are taking part in National Challengers Chess Championship this year. All the players who come out with flying colours in this championship will cruise into the National Premier Chess Championship that will take place in October in West Bengal.

(Phani)