The 5th Great Sharp Minds Chess Tournament, organised in loving memory of Jai Bansal, turned into a spirited celebration of young talent, patience and sharp thinking as more than 50 students from around 10 schools across Delhi-NCR participated in the competition on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The tournament was organised by Inner Code and Maha Adiyogi Foundation at Udgam Play School and Day Care, Sector 119, Noida. Students from leading schools including Mayoor School, Kothari International School, Ramagya School, Amity International School and DPS Noida participated with enthusiasm, reflecting the growing interest in chess among school-going children.
The event began at 9:00 AM with the worship of Goddess Saraswati, setting a warm and traditional tone for the day. From the opening moves to the final rounds, young players displayed confidence, concentration and sportsmanship across different age categories.
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At a time when chess is witnessing renewed attention among children and teenagers across India, such school-level tournaments are playing an important role in encouraging logical thinking, decision-making and competitive discipline. The All India Chess Federation has also been conducting national-level age-group events, including the 35th National Under-17 Open & Girls Chess Championships 2026, reflecting the active chess ecosystem for young players in the country.
The competition concluded around 3:00 PM with a prize distribution ceremony attended by organiser Mona Bansal, Shivram Rudransham, Chief Arbiter Anisa Singh, Kushank Rustagi, Shashank Kumar, Uday Bansal and other dignitaries.
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The winners were felicitated across six categories.
Champions of the Tournament
Under-09 Category: Advik Asthana
Under-09 Girls Category: Yashvika Sinha
Under-13 Category: Audhvik Mazumdar
Under-13 Girls Category: Arshia Garg
Under-17 Category: Aadyant Singh
Under-17 Girls Category: Ashmita Sinha
According to the organisers, the tournament was not just about winning titles, but about giving children a platform to test their skills, learn from competition and build confidence through the game of chess.
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Maha Adiyogi Foundation, which has been actively promoting culture and sports for several years, continues to work towards identifying and encouraging talented children, especially from grassroots and rural backgrounds. Through its talent hunt initiatives, the foundation aims to connect promising players with larger national sports movements.
The initiative also aligns with the broader vision of the Government of India’s Khelo India programme, which focuses on reviving sports culture at the grassroots level and building a strong framework for sports development across the country. The government’s talent identification efforts, including programmes such as Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI), are designed to make grassroots sports scouting more structured and accessible for young athletes.
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By bringing together children, parents, schools, organisers and chess mentors on one platform, the Great Sharp Minds Chess Tournament once again highlighted how local sporting events can become meaningful stepping stones for young talent.
The event ended on a positive note, with participants taking home not only trophies and certificates, but also memories of a day filled with learning, focus and healthy competition.