Deepan, Tania win Asian Jr chess

India stamped their regional supremacy in the 25th Asian Junior chess championships by annexing the top three medals in the boys' and girls' sections, in Marawila, Sri Lanka, on Friday.

Deepan Chakravarthy deservedly won the gold medal after a draw with local hopeful M K Athula Russell in the 11th and final round in the boys' section while the silver and bronze were grabbed by S Satyapragyan and International Master S Kidambi respectively.

Delhi-based Tania Sachdev annexed the girls' crown and earned her maiden Woman Grandmaster's norm and the title of Woman International Master after she drew her game with Dana Akataeva.

Tania tallied a total of 8.5 points, half a point more than her nearest contender Y Pratibha (silver), who went down fighting to teammate J E Kavitha in the final round. Mary Ann Gomes won the bronze.

The Indian players thus swept all the six medals, making it a unique result in the tournament's history.

Hailing India's performance, All India Chess Federation secretary P T Ummer Koya said, "This is a wonderful achievement by our young talent."

Delhi Chess Association secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan was all praise for Tania. "I knew she had it in her to make it big, but she was somehow not clicking in key tournaments. I hope she grows from strength to strength after this very important milestone in her career."