Indian teenager Tejaswini Sagar is Asian school chess champion

NAGPUR: Tejaswini Sagar is having a purple patch. The Aurangabad teenager added yet another feather to her illustrious cap by winning the gold medal in the Asian School U-15 Chess Championship which concluded in Singapore on Sunday.
Tejaswini bagged highest 7.5 points out of maximum nine points to clinch the issue in her favour. It was Tejaswini’s second big achievement in as many months.The talented fourteen-year-old had won her maiden world title when she emerged champion in the World School Chess Championship in the same age category in Pattaya, Thailand, on May 13.
In Singapore, the in-form youngster made a clean sweep by finishing on top in the blitz and classical groups. In the ninth and last round, Tejaswini outwitted Mangolia’s Batmunkh Oyudari in a thrilling encounter.
In the penultimate round, Tejaswini outclassed Miyuni Rajpaksh of Sri Lanka. She admitted that the competition was very tough and she needed to keep her focus all the time to emerge on top.
Tejaswini’s younger sister seven-year-old Siya finished seventh in the U-9 section. Both the siblings competed in the tournament and returned with flying colours.
"I am very happy and satisfied with my efforts. With today’s win I feel the cycle is completed with titles in National school, World school and now Asian school. I will like to thank my coaches Vikas Palande, Vishal Sareen and Raghunandan Gokhale for guiding me all the time," said a jubilant Tejaswini after the triumph.
Tejaswini will now hope to continue her brilliant form in the ASEAN U-20 girls chess championship which will begin in Singapore on Monday. "I am in good form and hope to win this tournament also," said Tejaswini, who is sponsored by Varroc.
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