Odisha identifies youngest chess stars for upcoming national championship
Reyansh Raj and four-year-old Elena Mishra emerged as undisputed champions at the 1st Dr. Debendra Pradhan Memorial Odisha State Under-7 Open & Girls Chess Championship 2026. Hosted at the PRO-CHESS-TA facility from May 5 to May 7, the three-day competition showcased the intellectual depth of the state’s youngest strategic minds. Both winners from the Khordha district maintained a perfect record, finishing the tournament with 7 points out of 7 rounds.
Perfect Scores Drive Open Category Results
Khordha’s Reyansh Raj demonstrated technical precision and mental endurance to claim the top spot in the Open category. His flawless run left no room for doubt as he navigated seven rounds without a single loss or draw. Parmarth Singh, representing Angul, followed closely to take the runner-up position with 6 points. Mayurbhanj talent Virabhadra Brahma also finished with 6 points, securing the third-place trophy after a rigorous tie-break evaluation.
Young Talent Shines In Girls Category
Elena Mishra captured the attention of spectators by winning the Girls title with a 100% win rate. At just four years old, her performance signals a bright future for women’s chess in the region. Fellow Khordha players Aadhisree Budek and Devanshee Sahoo both ended the event with 5.5 points. However, Budek claimed the second-place spot based on superior tie-break scores, leaving Sahoo in third.
National Representation And Recognition
Success at this state-level event serves as a direct pathway to the Indian national circuit. The top two finishers from each category earned their tickets to represent Odisha at the National Under-7 Chess Championship. This upcoming event will take place in Maharashtra from June 7 to June 11, 2026. This tournament honors the legacy of Dr. Debendra Pradhan, a figure whose family and memorial committee continue to foster grassroots athletic development in Odisha.
Promoting Strategic Excellence
Odisha has long been a powerhouse for Indian chess, producing Grandmasters like Padmini Rout and Debashis Das. Events like this memorial championship are essential for maintaining that momentum. During the closing ceremony, Samir Mohanty, Chairman of the Memorial Committee and President of the Odisha Olympic Association, handed out rewards totaling twenty thousand rupees. He urged the children to maintain a balance between their tactical training on the board and their academic growth. All Odisha Chess Association President Satya Ranjan Pattnaik and Grandmaster Swayams Mishra also attended to inspire the budding athletes.
