The Karnataka State Chess Association (KSCA) proudly congratulates Karnataka’s talented young chess players on their outstanding performance at the 39th National Under-7 Open & Girls Chess Championship, held at GH Raisoni Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagpur, from 30th June to 4th July 2026.
Leading Karnataka’s impressive campaign were the Karnataka State Under-7 Champions, Nimalan Dharanipathy and Rihanshi Muangala, who secured bronze medals in the Open and Girls categories respectively after exceptional performances against the country’s best young talents.
🥉 Nimalan Dharanipathy – National Bronze Medallist (Open)
Nimalan produced a brilliant performance, scoring 8 points from 9 rounds to finish tied for first place on points with the eventual champion. He narrowly missed the national title on tie-breaks and secured the bronze medal, displaying remarkable consistency, fighting spirit, and maturity throughout the championship.
🥉 Rihanshi Muangala – National Bronze Medallist (Girls)
Rihanshi continued her impressive run of form by scoring 7.5/9, finishing third in the Girls category. She was tied on points with the silver medallist and missed the runner-up position only on tie-breaks. Her excellent performance earned her a National Bronze Medal and qualification for the upcoming international championships.
Karnataka’s Strong National Performance
Karnataka once again showcased its strength in grassroots chess development, with five players finishing among the Top 20 in the championship.
Open Category
- 16th – Vivikshu N (7/9)
- 19th – Sathwik Bhat (6.5/9)
Girls Category
- 10th – Sai Raksha S J (7/9, unbeaten throughout the tournament)
These outstanding performances underline Karnataka’s continued emergence as one of India’s strongest centres for nurturing young chess talent.
KSCA Congratulates the Champions
The Karnataka State Chess Association extends its heartfelt congratulations to Nimalan Dharanipathy, Rihanshi Muangala, Sai Raksha S J, Vivikshu N, and Sathwik Bhat for their remarkable achievements at the National Championship.
KSCA also conveys its appreciation to their parents, coaches, district associations, academies, and well-wishers for their unwavering dedication and support in shaping the future of Karnataka chess.
Congratulations to all the young champions. Wishing them continued success and many more laurels for Karnataka and India.