World under-16 bronze medallist Aronyak Ghosh carved out a crucial victory over Alekhya Mukhopadhyay of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Education in a miniature game to stand clear first with 8 points at the end of the ninth and final round of The Telegraph Schools’ Chess Championship which concluded at the Gorky Sadan on Wednesday.

The IM-elect boy from School Point High School carried home a winner’s purse of Rs 30,000 plus the trophy.

Handling Sicilian defense on black side, Aronyak capitalised on his opponent’s mistakes to score a full point to sit pretty with 8 points.

Excepting the top table, all the other three tables ended in a draw which helped Aronyak emerge as the clear champion.

In a ten-way tie for the second place Manon Reja Neer of Philosophia School, Dhaka was adjudged the runner up on account of better Buchotltz score and was richer by Rs 20,000.

International Master Srijit Paul of DPS North School finished third.

South Point High School, spearheaded by champion Aronyak, retained the overall trophy for the best school.

The best game award went to Mohammad Shafiqul Islam of St Gregory’s High School, Dhaka.

Actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay was the chief guest.