Mumbai boy Rishab Shah wins Singapore Open U-12 chess title

Mumbai: India's Rishab Shah won the U-12 event at the Singapore Open Chess Championships beating upcoming talents from countries like Australia, China, England, Hong Kong and the United Stated.

The 11-year-old Rishab (ELO rating 1610), a fifth standard student of Cathedral and John Connon School, claimed the gold medal by emerging best in his age-group's open category, a release said on Friday.

The Singapore Open, which is a national meet, allows for participation of foreign players as well and was held at the Jurong Sports Centre.

This is the first time that an Indian has won in this meet which also saw participation of promising and upcoming players from Australia, China, England, Hong Kong and the United States, besides other nations.

Shah was seeded four and beat three top players - including top seed Heng Zheng Kai of Singapore - to garner 7 points out of 8 for a golden finish.

"Rishab is talented and hardworking. This win is a big boost and he will soon be touching the international rating of 2000+ points," said Balaji Guttula, Chief Coach at South Mumbai Chess Academy.