- Open Street Chess turns Ahmedabad into a buzzing board as 200+ players clash in blitz battles
- From kids to visually impaired talents, inclusivity takes centreboard in a Rs 25K prize-powered series
- Chiripal Group’s citywide initiative transforms public spaces into nurseries of future GMs
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 23
Checkmates met chaat vibes and clock ticks raced heartbeats as a quiet Sunday at Gotila Garden turned into a high-voltage arena of strategy and speed—where budding minds didn’t just play chess, they lived it.
In a move that is fast redefining how chess is played and perceived, the Chiripal Group hosted the second leg of its Open Street Chess Series 2026, drawing more than 200 enthusiasts into a thrilling blitz-format showdown in the heart of the city.
The initiative—designed to take chess beyond quiet halls into vibrant public spaces—continues to strike a chord with Ahmedabad’s emerging generation of thinkers, tacticians, and future Grandmasters.
Where strategy meets street energy
The tournament, guided by My Sport Trip under Ankit Dalal, featured rapid-fire games with a time control of three minutes plus a two-second increment—turning every move into a pressure-packed decision.
Among rated players, standout performers included Adalja Vanssh A, Sohil Shaikh, Jay Urveshkumar Mehta, Divyansh Rajani, Akshay Shegaonkar, Aarav Arpit Shah, Geet H Dabhi, Raaj Bajaj, Dhruv Mistry, and Karm Jignesh Shah.
In the unrated category, Nilesh Gupta, Sagar Parmar, and Devasya Thakar emerged victorious.
Chess culture makes great moves
“Following the encouraging response to the opening event, it is heartening to see the momentum continue with strong participation at Gotila Garden. Through this series, we aim to build a more inclusive and engaging chess culture in Ahmedabad by bringing the game closer to communities and inspiring young and first-time players to take part,” said Ronak Chiripal, Promoter, Chiripal Group.
Chess for all, not just the elite
True to its spirit, the series championed inclusivity—with visually impaired players participating alongside seasoned and first-time competitors. Adding a layer of encouragement, all participants under 13 were felicitated with medals, nurturing early passion for the game.
The event also saw the presence of All India Chess Federation Secretary Dev Patel, who engaged with young talents and lent institutional encouragement to the initiative.
From riverfront to malls: a citywide checkmate plan
After a strong opening at the Sabarmati Riverfront, the series is building momentum across the city, with each leg offering a prize pool of ₹25,000 and vouchers worth ₹1.5 lakh.
The grand finale is set for April 4 at Ahmedabad One Mall—promising an even bigger battleground for the city’s rising chess stars.
