Chennai:
The SOG Grandmasters Series South Zone 2 was held on 1st and 2nd July at The Leela Hotel in Chennai, where thousands of participants from Chennai, Puducherry, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands took part. This two-day mega event provided a platform for top talents from across the country to showcase their skills in mind sports like chess and rummy.
The closing ceremony was graced by former Indian cricket captain Mr. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, World Rapid Chess Champion Koneru Humpy, and Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson. All dignitaries praised the event, stating that such tournaments promote strategic thinking and mental agility among the youth.
In the men’s category of the Indian Chess Masters (ICM), Grandmaster Sethuraman S.P. clinched the gold medal, while Arnav Maheshwari won silver, and Pradeep Kumar R.A. took home the bronze. In the women’s category, Keerthi Sri Reddy secured the gold medal, while Kanishka S. and Pradiksha P.S. won the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
In the Indian Rummy Grandmasters – South Zone 2, Yuvaraj R secured the first place, claiming the champion’s title. Makesh Muthuveil finished second, while Murugesan Kannadasan took the third position. The fourth to sixth positions were secured by Karuppaiah Kaliyaperumal, Kolanjinathan Raja, and Jayakumar, respectively.
On this occasion, Mr. Krishnamachari Srikkanth said, “Cricket taught me that the real battle is always fought in the mind. Mental toughness and focus are extremely essential in today’s competitive world.”
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy appreciated the growing popularity of chess among Indian youth and said, “It is heartening to see so many young people seriously embracing the game. Chess is now becoming a part of India’s cultural identity.”
The night was also graced by Indian Hockey legends!, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of India’s glorious victory at the 1975 Hockey World Cup, the stage was set and was proud to honor the legendary stalwarts of Indian hockey whose achievements continue to inspire generations. The occasion witnessed the presence of:
1-Shri Ashok Kumar- 1975 World Cup Champion, Arjuna Awardee
2-Shri V. Bhaskaran – 1980 Olympic Gold Medalist, Arjuna Awardee
3-Shri B.P. Govinda – 1975 World Cup Champion, Arjuna Awardee
4-Shri Charles Cornelius – 1972 Olympic Bronze Medalist, World Cup Silver & Bronze Medalist, Dhyanchand Awardee
5-Shri V. J. Phillips – World Cup Gold Medalist, Olympic Bronze Medalist
We salute these iconic players for their unmatched contribution to Indian hockey and their enduring legacy in the world of sports.
We were honored by the presence of Shri Venkatachalam Saravanan, Indian International Master of Chess, at the SOG Grandmasters Series, Chennai, as he joined us in celebrating the brilliance and strategic spirit of India’s rising mind sports champions.
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Mr. Shankar Aggarwal, President of the SOG Federation, stated, “In today’s digital age, the importance of mind-based games is steadily increasing. Skill-based games like chess are empowering Indian youth mentally and are taking India’s reputation to new heights on the global stage.”
Several key dignitaries of the SOG Federation were present at the event, including Founder and Advisor Advocate Nandan Jha, Vice President Mr. Ashok Dhyan Chand, and Joint Secretary & Tournament Director Mr. Gaurav Dhyan Chand, along with many other esteemed personalities from across the country.
This successful event not only honored the winners but also demonstrated that the future of mind sports in India is bright. The aim of the SOG Federation is to provide a platform to talented players from every corner of the country and help them reach the global stage.
This was not just a tournament, but a significant step toward strengthening India’s intellectual sports culture.
