Jaipur: Chess is alive and kicking in Rajasthan with so many players from the desert region excelling at the national-level tournaments.Under the able guidance of Jaipur District Chess Association officials and sincere coaches, state players have made a mark at the top level. Rajasthan players also delivered impressive performances at the recently concluded Odisha Open – 16th International Grandmasters Chess Festival 2025–26: Abhijit Gupta clinched the tournament title with an outstanding performance. Shreyanshi won first prize in the Under-8 Girls category, drawing widespread appreciation. Yajat Vyas (Udaipur) secured third place, winning a cash prize of ₹50,000 along with a trophy.These remarkable achievements reflect the bright future of chess in Rajasthan and the strength of its training ecosystem. The JDCA team has reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening and promoting chess across the state.