Lemba Sougaijam claims top honour in 1st RK Sanajaoba Memorial Chess Tourney

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 22 : Lemba Sougaijam walked away with the title of the 1st RK Sanajaoba Memorial U-20 Chess Tournament 2026 organised by the Kanglei Chess Academy in cooperation with the Rajkumar Sanajaoba Memorial Trust from March 18.
Lemba Sougaijam secured 6.5 points in 7 rounds of the tournament organised in the Swiss League format to earn the title trophy and a cash prize of Rs 2,000 while Stanley Meethoiba Louremba secured the second position with 6 points to receive a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1,500.
Jonex Nandeibam was third in the tournament with 5.5 points to settle with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1,000. 7 other players who made it to the top-ten chart- Prichard Elangbam (5.5 pts), Lanchenba Ngairangbam (5 pts), Dinesh Chabungbam (5 pts), Dayanand Thoudam (5 pts), Sinthoiba Ningthemcha (5 pts), Mangal Elangbam (5 pts), and Williamba Moirangthem (5 pts) were also feted with a cash prize of Rs 500 each.
Best U-7 boy- Wangthoi Ningthemcha (3.5 pts), U-7 girl- Uhenbi Ningthemcha (3.5 pts), U-7 boy- Loitongbam Mayol (4.5 pts), U-11 girl- Celia Yambem (3 pts); Best KCA boy- Yaiphaba Yumnam (4.5 pts) and best KCA girl- Rajkumar Baby (3 pts) were also feted with trophies.
Consolation prizes were also extended to encourage 4 U-7 boys and 2 U-7 girls.