A unique event unfolded its pieces in the holy city of Nashik: “Checkmate Cancer”

Organized by the Revolutionary Chess Corps, this tournament not only aimed to celebrate the strategic brilliance of chess players but also to checkmate a deadly opponent – Cancer, through awareness and support. The tournament, a first of its kind to be held in the city, came with a ₹25,000 prize fund and 68 trophies, was truly an unforgettable experience for participants and attendees alike. Held on World Cancer Day, 4th February 2024, it was a thrilling event that showcased the incredible talent of some of the top chess players in the region. With over 200 participants from all over Maharashtra, the tournament was a true testament to the popularity and passion for chess in the state. The event was organized in  collaboration with the Indian Medical Association, Nashik Road along with Venue Partner Parmanand Sports Academy.

At the heart of this chess extravaganza, lies its noble cause – to raise awareness about cancer. The organizers, moved by their personal encounters with the severity of cancer, decided to channel their passion for chess into a platform for change. Hence, in a battle that transcended the chessboard, eminent doctors enlightened the participants and the audience with insightful lectures on the early detection and prevention of cancer. Dr. Swapnanjali Awhad, a prominent gynaecologist and President of the Indian Medical Association, Nashik Road, took the stage to explain the causes of cancer and how our day-to-day lifestyle affects our health. Dr. Roshankumar Patil, a well-known radiation oncologist of Cancer Center of America, Nashik, lectured the parents on several types of cancer, its causes, and effects.

Local hero, Harshal Patil, won the event convincingly by scoring 8/8 points, securing a beautiful trophy and ₹5000 cash, while CM Shreyansh Shah of Solapur stood 2^nd, CM Vedant Pimpalkhare bagged the 3^rd place. Akhilesh Nagare and Kartik Kumar Singh grabbed the 4^th and 5^th place respectively. Huge congratulations to all the participants for putting on such an incredible display of talent and sportsmanship. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these amazing players! The entire final ranking can be found here.

The Prize Distribution Ceremony was attended by renowned pulmonologist Dr Swapnil Sakhala and imminent gynaecologist Dr Sumit Avhad, along with the Director of Parmanand Sports Academy Aparna Kothawale. Dr Sakhala congratulated the players for their participation and noted the efforts of the entire team in organizing such a huge event which intended to bridge the gap between medical professionals and chess players.

The Revolutionary Chess Corps has been a beacon for chess enthusiasts in Nashik, consistently organizing top-notch events to provide a platform for budding players to compete with the best chess players across the country. “Checkmate Cancer” stands as a testament to their commitment not just to the game but also to the well-being of the community. The entire Revolutionary Chess Corps Team ensured the smooth conduction of the event. Tournament Director Varad Deo, Chief Arbiter FA Pushkar Jadhav, Deputy Arbiters SNA Chaitanya Divekar, SNA Pramod Gandhgole, NI Onkar Jadhav, SA Nilesh Bahalkar and Chess Enthusiasts, Ajay Thombare, Prashant Jadhav, Vishal Joshi, Bhushan Pawar, Harshal Walde, Ganesh Tajane, Jay Patel worked hard to make this event a historical one.