The 22nd Nagaland State FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2026
The 22nd Nagaland State FIDE Rating Chess Championship 2026, the first ever state championship conducted as a Fide rated tournament concluded successfully on 18th July 2026 at the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) office complex, Kohima.
Kevilekho Zumvü emerged as the champion of the Open category and claimed the title along with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, trophy and certificate.
Salhuto Nyekha finished second and received Rs. 30,000, while Khrielie Sano secured third place with a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 and Melesai secured fourth place with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000.
Meghaho Awomi, Heilamgumbe Haikuibe, Bovito, Kughaho Kiho, Khoveto Vero and Er. Vipulhou Lhoungu finished fourth to tenth respectively.
In the Under-11 category, Tezeve Doulo of Northfield School, Kohima, secured first position, followed by Otsi Tunyi of Northfield School, Kohima, Apishe Kiba of St. Mary Higher Secondary School, Pudumpukhuri, Dimapur, Zhasazo Nagi of Minister’s Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School, Kohima, and Damian Lyngdoh of G. Rio School, Kohima, in second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.
In the Under-15category, Jitihto Nyekha of North Town Higher Secondary School, Chümoukedima, secured the first position. Vesho Doulo and Hielhoukho Semou, both from Northfield School, Kohima, Khrieto Terhuja of Little Star Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, and Ethungthung Odyuo secured second to fifth places respectively.
In the Best Female category, Choli Tunyi of Northfield School, Kohima, clinched the title, while Aloino Kiba and Lina Kiba, both from St. Mary Higher Secondary School, Padumpukhuri, Dimapur, finished second and third respectively.
Atoka H. Wotsa won the Unrated category, with Toivi Yepthomi, Neikehiezo Zinyu, Viseyie Yano and Mutuzo Lohe securing second, third, fourth and fifth places respectively.
K. Sekhamo was adjudged the Best Senior player (60 years and above), while Seluokuo Samuel Rame of Living Tree School, Kohima, was recognised as the youngest participant.
All winners were presented with cash prizes, trophies and certificates.
Speaking at the prize distribution programme, former NCA president Helie Rupreo informed that Nagaland would host the North East Chess Championship 2026 at Dimapur from December 15 to 19, 2026.
Former NCA presidents Helie Rüpreo and K. Sekhamo, along with Dr. Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Kohima College, presented the prizes to the winners.
The prize distribution programme was led by Chief Arbiter and NCA Honorary Secretary Vekukho Soho. SNA Mengise Haikam, SNA James Ruokuoselhou, SNA Rokozono Nagi and SNA Jetilo Apon officiated as arbiters, while Aphre-e Nagi compered the programme and Mengise Haikam, Deputy Chief Arbiter and Joint Secretary of the NCA, proposed the vote of thanks. Altogether, 75 participants took part in the championship.
The top four ranked players in the Open category will represent Nagaland at the 63rd National Senior Chess Championship (Open), scheduled to be held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, from December 28, 2026 to January 7, 2027.
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The 21st Nagaland State Chess Championship 2025
Kevilekho Zumvu became the champion of the 21st Nagaland State Chess Championship 2025. Heilamgumbe Haikube secured the first runner-up, Salhuto Nyekha the second runner-up, and Mughaho Awomi the third runner-up. Other top-10 players included Kehung Haikam, Visanyuzo Kuotsu, Vikiye Sumi, Kughaho Kiho, Itokhu Sumi, and Sukhavi Achumi.
In the Under-14 category, Jitihto Nyekha from Touch of Hope School, Chümoukedima, was the champion. Heilhoukho Semou of Northfield School, Kohima, secured the first runner-up position, while Kevisehu T Zatsu from G Rio Higher Secondary School, Kohima, was the second runner-up.
For the Under-10 category, Otsi Tunyi of Northfield School, Kohima, emerged as the champion. Damian Lyngdoh from G Rio Higher Secondary School, Kohima, was the first runner-up, and Jeremy Zhimomi from N N Nagi School, Dimapur, was the second runner-up.
The Best Female Player award was secured by Choli Tunyi of Northfield School, Kohima, and the Best Player for Under-7 was Maongkar Ozukum, also from Northfield School, Kohima.
The 1st Nagaland Open FIDE Rating Rapid Chess Tournament 2025 was held from April 24–25, 2025, at the Don Bosco Institute for Development & Leadership, Dimapur, marking the first-ever FIDE-rated rapid tournament in the state, which featured 144 players from different parts of India and a total prize pool of ₹3 lakh.
GM Saptarshi RoyChowdhury won the tournament, winning on tie-breaks with 7.5/9 points, Tanmay Rajbongshi secured second place, Soram Rahul Singh third, and Arpan Das fourth—all scored 7.5/9 points.
Top 20 final rankings are shown in below image:
1st Nagaland Open FIDE Rating Rapid Chess Tournament 2025
The 20th Nagaland State Chess Championship 2024
The 20th Nagaland State Chess Championship 2024 held from 30th July to 1st August 2024 at Nagaland Olympic Hall, Kohima Concluded here today.
Melesai Dawhuo emerged as the Champion and was awarded with a cash prize of Rs 30,000 along with trophy.
Kevilekho Zumvu and Toivi Yeptho stood second and 3rd position and awarded with Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively.
Bovito Yeptho stood 4th position and received Rs. 7000.
Kughaho Kiho, Viseyie Yano, Khoveto Vero, Khrielie Sano, Heilamgumbe and Ketholelie Nisa were also awarded with Rs. 4000 each for figuring into 5th to 10th position respectively.
Intovi Awomi, Shurhozhalie Sebastian Solo and Pulonito Hesso stood first, second and third position under 18 years category and awarded with Rs. 5000, Rs. 3000 and Rs. 2000 respectively.
Viboka Awomi and Muzaveto Phesao stood 4th and 5th position and received Rs. 1500 and Rs. 1000 respectively.
Jititho Nyekha, Vesho Doulo and Neipedezo Metha bagged first, second and third position under 14 years category and awarded with Rs. 5000, Rs. 3000 and Rs. 2000 respectively.
Gihuca Chishi and Mereh Doulo stood 4th and 5th position and received Rs. 1500 and Rs. 1000 respectively.
Shenikali Hesso has been declared as the Best female player and received Rs. 5000.
Sede Nagi was declared as best player of 60 years and above and awarded with Rs. 5000.
Noune Terujha bagged the title of best player under 7 years and awarded with Rs. 1000 along with trophy.
76 players registered for the Championship. 68 years Kekhwewe. Sekhamo from Kohima district was the oldest player and Reku Haikam (6 years) from Peren district as the youngest player.
19th Nagaland State Chess Championship 2023
The 19th Nagaland State Chess Championship 2023 organized by Nagaland Chess Association (NCA) at NOA Complex culminated here on Friday, the 21st of July 2023.
In the Championship following FIDE Swiss System of 9 rounds, a nail-biting race for the win was seen on most of the Top Boards. After three days of tense battles, Kevilekho Zumvu emerged as the champion of the Open Category once again, while Salhouto Nyekha, Sede Nagi and Seyiekhrietuo Mere bagged the first, second and third runners-up respectively.
These four top players will be representing the state at the ensuing 60th National Chess Championship to be held at Pune, Maharashtra from 16th to 26th August 2023.
The champion in open category was awarded with Rs. 50,000 cash while second, third and fourth place winners received Rs. 30,000, Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively. Rank 5 to 10 holders received Rs. 5000 each.
The winners in the Under 18 and Under 14 categories were awarded with Rs. 10,000 (1st), Rs. 7,000 (2nd), Rs. 5000 (3rd), Rs 3000 (4th rank) and Rs. 3000 (5th Rank) each.
In the U-18 Category, Shenikali Hesso of Model Higher Secondary School Kohima became the Champion, while Pulonito Hesso bagged the Second Position and Jesse P. Chishi of Carmel Higher Secondary School, Dimapur bagged the third Position.
Surhozelie Subastian Solo of St. Mary's cathedral Higher School, Kohima bagged the Fourth Position and Viboka Awomi of Mezhur Higher Secondary School, Kohima bagged the Fifth Position.
In the Under 14 category, Jitihto Nyekha from Touch of Hope School, Chumoukedima, won the first position, Arho Rupreo of Bethel Higher Secondary School, Kohima, bagged the Second and Neipedezo Metha of Bethel Higher Secondary School, Kohima, bagged the Third Position. Thejasezo Metha of Bethel Higher Secondary School, Kohima, bagged the Fourth and Mereh Doulo bagged Fifth Position.
Best female Player Award went to Tsesam, Youngest Player Award to Domian Lyngdoh and Oldest Player to K. Sekhamo.
1st Nagaland Rapid Chess Tournament 2021
The 1st Nagaland Rapid Chess Tournament 2021 concluded on October 23 and the prizes were distributed by Helie Rupreo, Former President NCA and retired Director, Agriculture Department, Nagaland.
Up to top ten position holders in the open category were given cash prizes along with certificates.
In the Open Category, Melesai Dawhuo emerged as the Champion. Salhuto Nyekha and Khrielie Sano were declared second and third winners respectively.
The following are the winners in under-18 and under-14 year categories:
Under-18 Category:
1st: Asile R Hau of St John's School, Kohima.
2nd: Heudigwangbe Meru of Livingstone Foundation Intl. Dimapur.
3rd: Muzivolu Veswu of Westside School Dimapur.
4th: Intovi K Awomi of Holy Family Hr Sec School Kohima and
5th: Kaboto K Awomi of Holy Family Hr Sec School Kohima.
Under-14 year Category:
1st: Pulonito Hesso of Coraggio School Kohima.
2nd: Setsuzo Phesa-o of Chandmari Higher Sec School Kohima.
3rd: Jitihto Nyekha of Westside School Dimapur.
4th: Cidibe Peter Mbung of Sainik School Punglwa Peren, and
5th: Snipoi R Hau of St John's School Kohima.
Nagaland Chess Association Office and Website Inauguration
Former President and Retd. Director, Agriculture Department, Govt. of Nagaland, Shri. Hielie Rupreo inaugurated Nagaland Chess Association Office and Official Website of the Association 3rd of July 2021 at Lower Chandmari, Kohima.
Rupreo expressed his optimism that NCA would be able to reach greater heights as well as function more efficiently with the establishment of its office and website. Rupreo also thanked all the pioneers of NCA, well-wishers and the present NCA officials led by Neiba Kronu - Minister for planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs- as its President for relentlessly working to promote Chess in Nagaland.
The inauguration function was chaired by Vekukho Soho, Joint Secretary NCA.
Nipeto Hesso and Topeni Hesso presented a special song and Inaugural prayer was said by Hokhepu Achumi, Asstt. Pastor, Sumi Baptist Church Kohima.
A Warm-Up Tournament with 20 minutes time control was played after the Inaugural Function. Mughaho Awomi emerged as the winner, followed by Hielie Rupreo and Sukhavi Achumi.
AICF Chess Trainers Program 2021
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) conducted
a Chess Trainers Program from 17 to 20 March 2021.
The program was designed to equip trainers with the
necessary skills to teach chess in schools and other
areas to promote the game at the grassroots level.
Seventeen chess players from Nagaland participated
in the program. Of these, seven successfully
completed the course and were certified as AICF Chess Trainers:
1. SOURAV SINGH
2. AKHILESH KUMAR SINGH
3. SHABNAM SINGH
4. VEKUKHO SOHO
5. KHOVETO VERO
6. NIPETO HESSO
7. PIKUTO CHISHI
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